Pop the bubbly and grab a clementine— this Easy Champagne Cocktail is here to elevate any occasion, whether you’re celebrating on New Year’s Eve or just want to feel fancy on a Tuesday! With the smooth, citrusy depth of Grand Marnier, bubbly champagne, and the bright burst of fresh clementine juice, this drink is a sparkling, golden dream. It’s quick, easy, and you’ll only need 3 ingredients!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sparkling Cocktail
- Effortless Elegance – This pretty cocktail feels so fancy but there’s zero fuss making it! Orange and champagne is a classic combination – like a traditional mimosa.
- Clementine Zing – The orange flavor of the Grand Marnier is accented with fresh clementine juice so the sweet citrus flavor sings through every single sip.
- Quick and 3 Ingredients – It literally takes seconds to pour the ingredients into the glass. You’ll love how easy it is to serve them to a few or a crowd without making drinks for a long time.
- Festive and Unique – Bubbly champagne drinks are always a fun addition to any festivity like Christmas or New Year’s Eve, and this combination is approachable but different so everyone will love it!
TIP: Pair it with one of these 25+ New Year’s Eve Desserts!
Ingredients in a Champagne Cocktail
You only need 3 simple ingredients for this impressive but secretly easy cocktail!
- Sweet Champagne – Choose a champagne that is on the sweeter side for this cocktail for a balanced flavor. Oftentimes, the stores will have a chart by the sparkling wines to help you see where things fall on the sweetness vs dry scale. You can also use a sparkling wine or prosecco.
- Grand Marnier – Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur that combines cognac, orange bitters, and sugar to create a sweet and complex flavor. Substitute with Triple Sec or Cointreau for another orange liqueur.
- Clementine Juice – Clementines, or Cuties, are sweet and in season in the wintertime. You can substitute with orange juice, or a squeeze of a naval orange if you prefer.
Types of Champagne for a Champagne Cocktail
Sweet champagne is ideal for this cocktail, but true sweet champagnes can be a bit tricky to find. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious options across different price ranges, including sparkling wines that mimic champagne beautifully! Here’s a list to help you choose:
Budget-Friendly Options (Under $20)
- La Marca Prosecco: Fruity and slightly sweet, a versatile option that pairs beautifully with citrus flavors.
- Korbel Sweet Cuvée: A California sparkling wine with an approachable sweetness perfect for cocktails.
- Freixenet Cordon Negro Semi-Seco: This Spanish Cava is budget-friendly and delivers a balanced touch of sweetness.
- Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante: Sweet, light, and bubbly—perfect for a festive twist.
Mid-Range Picks ($20-$50)
- Prosecco Valdobbiadene Dry: A step up in quality, with fruity and floral notes that enhance the Grand Marnier.
- Moscato d’Asti: Sweet and effervescent with delicate citrus and honey notes.
- Chandon Sweet Star: A California sparkling wine with a crisp, off-dry finish, ideal for Grand Marnier cocktails.
- Vietti Cascinetta Moscato d’Asti: Elegant and slightly sweet, with a light sparkle that pairs perfectly.
Splurge-Worthy ($50 and Up)
- Demi-Sec Champagne: True champagnes labeled “Demi-Sec,” like Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial or Veuve Clicquot Demi-Sec, are beautifully sweet and indulgent.
- Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial: Rich and slightly sweet, this champagne adds a luxurious touch.
- Taittinger Nocturne Sec: Sophisticated with a subtle sweetness that complements the citrus in Grand Marnier.
Each of these options will create a delicious, bubbly cocktail with the perfect balance of flavor—whether you’re going for affordable sparkle or a true champagne splurge!
How to Make This 3 Ingredient Cocktail
Make this orange Champagne Cocktail in less than 3 minutes! Here’s how to easily put it together:
- Add the champagne, Grand Marnier, and a squeeze of clementine juice to a champagne flute.
- Garnish with an orange slice and fresh cranberries.
You’ll Also Love: Spiced Cranberry Gin Fizz
Other Garnish Ideas
Take your champagne cocktail to the next level with these fun and festive garnish ideas!
- Fresh Herbs: Add a sprig of rosemary or thyme for a fragrant, elegant touch.
- Sugared Cranberries: Coat fresh cranberries in sugar for a sparkling, wintry look.
- Citrus Twists: Use a vegetable peeler to create orange or lemon peel twists.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Sprinkle a few into your glass for a pop of color and sweetness.
- Edible Flowers: Perfect for a fancy flair, edible flowers add a gorgeous touch.
- Glitter Rim: Dip the rim of your flute in simple syrup, then coat it with edible glitter for extra sparkle!
FAQs
Grand Marnier is an orange liqueur that is a combination of cognac, orange bitters, and sugar. It has a deep, complex flavor. Cognac is a type of brandy which is liqueur made from grapes. So the Grand Marnier has a punchy flavor that not only tastes like oranges, but also complex additions of vanilla, oak, and toffee. Its SO good!
Yes! Champagne technically comes from the Champagne region of France and can tend to be a little pricey. I suggest looking for a California Champagne which is typically much more affordable and just as good.
Any orange liqueur that you like will work for this cocktail but the flavor will be less complex. Triple Sec is a good option or a sweet orange-flavored rum.
Sure! Brut champagne is not sweet and tends to be quite dry so the bitter flavor of the Grand Marnier with be more pronounced.
Champagne needs the bubbles and the only way to keep those active is to make the drink right before serving, so this cocktail is best made fresh!
More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
- Creme Brûlée Cocktail
- Valentine’s Day Cocktail
- Sugar Cookie Martini
- Peppermint Espresso Martini
- Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail
>> Did you make this recipe? Rate it below and sign up for our email list to get recipes delivered straight to your inbox!
Easy Champagne Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Grand Marnier chilled
- 4 ounces sweet champagne chilled
- 1 teaspoon fresh clementine juice
Instructions
- Pour the Grand Marnier into a champagne flute.
- Top with the champagne and a squeeze of clementine juice.
- Stir gently a few times and garnish with a fresh orange slice and cranberries.
Leave a Reply