Brut Champagne

Dry sparkling wine from Champagne, France — the Mimosa and Kir Royale's bubbles.

Fortified & Sparkling Wines Champagne, France 12% ABV
Flavor profile: fruity

Champagne is a sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, made by the traditional method (second fermentation in bottle). Brut Champagne is dry — the style appropriate for cocktails. A Mimosa made with cheap sparkling wine tastes like cheap sparkling wine plus orange juice; a Mimosa made with real Brut Champagne tastes like breakfast in Paris. For Champagne cocktails, any reasonably priced Brut Champagne (Pol Roger, Piper-Heidsieck, Ayala, or a grower-producer) works.

Common uses

Kir Royale, Mimosa, French 75.

Cocktails that use Brut Champagne

  • French 75 — Gin, lemon, sugar, and Champagne — named after a WWI field artillery gun
  • Kir Royale — Crème de cassis topped with Champagne — the aristocratic French aperitif
  • Mimosa — Equal parts fresh orange juice and Champagne — the definitive brunch drink

Substitutes

  • Prosecco — Fruitier, softer, cheaper — perfectly fine for most Champagne cocktails.