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Bubbly, boozy, and just sweet enough — all swirled together in one gorgeous glass, this vodka and champagne cocktail is about to become your new go-to for literally any occasion that calls for a little sparkle. Made with 4 simple ingredients, it’s the kind of drink that makes a random Tuesday night feel like a celebration — and makes an actual celebration feel downright glamorous.
“Such a wonderfully simple yet elegant libation!”
-SHANDRA
Update: This recipe was originally published in December 2014. I made updates to the article below to include more information about making cocktails with champagne and vodka at home.
Hi, friends, grab your fanciest glass — we need to talk about this gorgeous cocktail that looks like you spent way more time and effort on it than you actually did:
Table of Contents
About this vodka champagne cocktail
Picture this: a sugar cube perching at the bottom of a chilled flute glass, fizzing and dissolving as golden mixture of champagne and vodka cascades over it, sending up a steady stream of tiny, dancing bubbles. That’s the magic of this vodka champagne drink —and that’s before you’ve even taken a sip. The first taste hits crisp and cold, with a gentle sweetness from the sugar cube that mellows into something warm and a little spicy, thanks to a few dashes of aromatic bitters. Then the vodka rounds everything out with a smooth, clean backbone, while the champagne keeps every single sip light, effervescent, and impossibly refreshing.
It’s sophisticated without being fussy, and it tastes like something you’d order at a rooftop bar in Paris — except you made it in your kitchen in the time it takes to find a clean glass.
Best of all, you only need a handful of pantry staples — there’s no shaking, no stirring, no fancy bartending skills required. And it comes together in just about five minutes flat. Pour it for a champagne and vodka toast on New Year’s Eve, serve it at a bridal shower, mix it for Thanksgiving dinner, or just treat yourself on a random Friday because, honestly, you deserve it.
Why make THIS recipe
TL;DR? Get the gist on this cocktail recipe here:
- Ridiculously Easy. No shaker, no muddler, no special bartending gear — just a glass, four ingredients, and a little pour-and-go recipe magic.
- Bubbles Never Quit. That sugar cube isn’t just for sweetness — as it slowly dissolves, it creates a steady stream of bubbles that keeps your champagne with vodka fizzing for way longer than a plain glass of bubbly ever could.
- Spot-On Flavor Balance. You get sweetness from the sugar, warmth and complexity from the bitters, a clean boozy kick from the vodka, and bright acidity from the champagne.
- Endlessly Customizable. Swap the bitters, play with garnishes, or try different bubbles and you’ve got a whole new champagne vodka drink on your hands (see the variations below).
- Total Crowd-Pleaser. Elegant enough for a wedding toast and casual enough for a Tuesday night — this is a drink that knows how to read the room.
- It Scales like a Dream. Making one drink for yourself or fifty for a holiday party. Regardless of how many drinks you need, the ratios stay simple and easy to multiply.
Ingredients for this champagne vodka drink
Below is everything you’ll need to make this champagne and vodka cocktail. Plus, I’ve included a few tips for picking the good stuff:
- Vodka. This is where the smooth, clean boozy kick comes from. A mid-shelf vodka is the sweet spot here — you want something quality enough to sip on its own, but there’s no need to break out your fanciest bottle for this mixed cocktail.
- Champagne. The star of the show! True champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, but a good Prosecco, Cava, or other dry sparkling wine will work beautifully here. The golden rule: use something you’d happily drink on its own, since that flavor is going to be front and center here.
- Sugar Cube. This is the secret to those never-ending bubbles. You can find sugar cubes in the baking aisle near the granulated sugar. Pantry note: a box lasts practically forever in the pantry, so grab one and you’re set for cocktail seasons for years to come.
- Angostura Bitters. Just a few dashes add warmth, depth, and a hint of spice that keeps this drink from tasting flat and one-note. You’ll find bitters in the liquor aisle or spirits section of most grocery stores. And, a little goes a very long way, so similar to sugar cubes, single bottle can last you years. Substitution tip: No Angostura on hand? Any aromatic cocktail bitters will do the trick — orange bitters will give this vodka and champagne drink a lovely citrusy lift if that’s more your drink style.
Variations
- Classic Champagne Cocktail: Skip the vodka entirely and add a lemon twist for the timeless, vodka-free version of this drink.
- Berry Bubbles: Drop a few fresh raspberries, blackberries, or a halved strawberry into the glass along with the sugar cube for a fruity, colorful twist.
- Citrus Champagne and Vodka: Add a small splash of fresh lemon juice and swap the sugar cube for sugar simple syrup to make a brighter, more citrus-forward drink, similar to a French 76.
- Elderflower Sparkle: Add a splash of elderflower liqueur for a floral, slightly sweeter spin on this champagne vodka drink.
- Rosé Version: Swap out the traditional champagne in favor of a dry sparkling rosé for a beautifully pink cocktail that’s perfect for bridal showers and Galentine’s Day.
Professional chef expert tips for perfect results every time
- Chill Everything Ahead of Time. Store your vodka and champagne in the refrigerator so your cocktail comes together ice-cold from the very first sip — this drink is not served over ice, so starting cold matters.
- Use a Real Sugar Cube. The cube dissolves slowly and steadily, which is exactly what keeps those bubbles going strong. Unfortunately, granulated loose sugar will just sink and dissolve too fast.
- Go Easy on the Bitters. Start with two dashes, taste, and add more as you go. Bitters are quite potent, and you can always add one more drop, but you can’t take it out.
- Don’t Let the Champagne Sit Out Too Long Before Pouring. Keep your bottle chilled right up until you’re ready to serve so you don’t lose any of those precious effervescent bubbles.
- Pour Champagne Last, Slowly. Adding your bubbly last (and tilting the flute glass slightly as you pour) helps control the fizz so it doesn’t overflow the moment it touches the sugar cube.
- Taste and Adjust to Suit Your Tastes. This is YOUR cocktail — if you love a boozier pour, add a touch more vodka; if you want it extra bubbly, ease up on the vodka and let the champagne shine.
- Garnish Before Sipping. Remember, you taste with your eyes first. A twist of lemon or a fresh berry will take your cocktail from good to great.
FAQs: frequently asked questions
Below you’ll find the most common questions and answers about making this recipe. If you have a question you’d like answered, please drop it in the comments section below!
What’s the best champagne to use for this cocktail?
I recommend using whatever bubbly you actually enjoy drinking on its own. Whether that’s real champagne, Prosecco, Cava, or another dry sparkling wine — all work wonderfully in this drink recipe. And, if you want to go all out, a well-known French champagne brand will make anything feel extra special.
What’s the best vodka for a champagne and vodka cocktail?
A smooth, mid-shelf vodka is your best bet here. Any brand high-quality enough to taste good will work great. Keep in mind, you don’t need a top-shelf splurge since the champagne does most of the talking here.
Can I make this cocktail without bitters?
Of course you can. However, note that the bitters really do add a lovely warmth and complexity to the drink. If you don’t have any, consider adding small twist of orange or lemon peel for a similar aromatic touch.
Is this the same as a French 75?
No, not quite! A French 75 is typically made with gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, while this vodka champagne drink uses vodka, a sugar cube, and bitters for a simpler, sweeter sip. Actually, this cocktail is closer to a French 76, which is similar to a French 75, just with vodka instead of gin.
Can I make a big batch for a party?
Oh, absolutely! Just multiply the ingredients by however many guests you’re serving. I recommend setting up a simple self-serve drink station with sugar cubes, bitters, vodka, chilled bottles of bubbly, and a couple cocktail garnishes so everyone can build their own.
How much alcohol is in this drink?
There are two alcohols in this cocktail: champagne and vodka. However, it sips and tastes like a lighter cocktail overall, since champagne makes up the bulk of the glass, with just a small pour of vodka. It’s perfect for sipping slowly through a toast, round of passed appetizers, or a long dinner. But, it also tastes great with brunch and dessert if I’m being honest.
And that’s it, friends. A vodka and champagne cocktail so simple, so elegant, and so downright delicious that it’s guaranteed to become your new signature drink for every celebration. With just four ingredients, five minutes, and zero fancy bartending skills, there’s truly no excuse not to give this one a try.
So go ahead, chill that bottle, grab a sugar cube, and treat yourself to a glass. Just don’t forget to come back and let me know how it went over in the comments below. I truly love cheering you on in the kitchen!
Until next time, cheers, friends!
Cheyanne
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More cocktail recipes
Vodka and Champagne Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 Champagne Flute, Coupe Glass or Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 1 whole White Sugar Cube
- 2-3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- 3/4 to 1 ounce Vodka – CHILLED, to taste
- To Taste Champagne – CHILLED (enough to top off the flute glass; about 3 ounces)
Instructions
- Drop Sugar Cube into a champagne flute, martini glass, or your cocktail glass of choice.
- Add a couple dashes of Bitters.
- Pour in the Vodka.
- Top the glass off with Champagne (or sparkling wine of choice).
- Garnish your champagne vodka cocktail with a citrus twist or peel, and fresh berries if using. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
- Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can!
Nutrition
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James Snook
What are bitters?
Cheyanne Bany
Hi James,
Bitters are an aromatic liquid flavored with different botanical ingredients used to add flavor to cocktails. While I use Angostura you can use any brand you would like! Cheers!
Shandra
Your pictures are just gorgeous and inspired me to try. Such a wonderfully simple yet elegant libation!
Cheyanne Bany
Chandra, Thank you so much for the kind words and for commenting! Cheers and warm wishes for a fabulous day! 🙂
Ruta
Happy New Year!! I agree with your theory of resolutions. I never set myself to do much because I just end up being disappointed! Although this year I thought I might do something for a change, I wrote all about it on my blog and it’s something very different from ‘give up chocolate’ :] I wish you all the best and perseverance to stick to your goals! x
Cheyanne Bany
Ruta, Thank you for stopping by! Glad someone is with me on the whole resolution thing! Cheers and warm wishes for a fantastic 2015! 🙂
Eric Linthicum
Happy New YEAR! Chey! What a great year 2014 has been for you! You had a couple of tough years, but you have risen like bubbles in Champagne! I am sure 2015 will be even better! I am going to make the 007 for my toast at New Years!
Cheyanne Bany
Happy New Year, Eric! I am hopeful 2015 will bring us both wonderful things! I’ll be toasting you with the 007 come midnight! Cheers! 🙂