Caviar and Champagne Cocktails

When I think Monaco, I think glitz, glamor, caviar, and champagne. And of course Daniel Ricciardo flying face first into the Red Bull pool after pulling off a redemptive win on the streets of Monte Carlo. 

Any excuse to have a cheese plate, some fancy nibbles, and a tasting menu of champagne is a good one for me. I found some cheeses from Italy and France to honor Monaco's neighbors and served up some caviar with melba toast, whipped cream cheese, and crunchy radishes. 

Caviar can be served on its own or with whipped cream cheese, butter, or even creme fraiche. Suggested additions range from sliced radishes to smoked salmon or hard cooked egg. 

If serving with radishes, a trick to get them extra crunchy is to slice and let rest in ice cold water for 15 or so minutes. Serve caviar in a bowl of crushed ice to keep it chilled. Serve with a non-metal spoon, traditionally mother of pearl, to prevent metallic taste transfer. 

Champagne cocktails are some of the easiest and most elegant cocktails. Everyone feels special drinking from a champagne flute, and with just a little creativity things can be made even more delicious. 

 

Classic Champagne Cocktail

1 oz sugar
Angostura bitters
1/2 oz cognac
Champagne
Optional garnish: Lemon or Orange twist

Add sugar to the base of a champagne flute, shake 2-3 dashes of bitters to saturate the sugar. Add cognac and swirl. Top with champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a twist. 

Kir Royale

1/4 oz creme de cassis
4 oz champagne
Optional garnish: raspberries or lemon twist

Add creme de cassis to champagne flute, top with champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with raspberries or lemon twist (optional).

St. Germaine Champagne Cocktail

1/2 oz St. Germaine
1/2 oz lemon juice
4 oz champagne

Add St. Germain and lemon juice to champange flute. Swirl to combine. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

Bonus Cocktail:

Negroni Sbagliato 

1 oz campari
1 oz vermouth
3 oz champagne

Add campari and vermouth to champagne flute or rocks glass, swirl to combine. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.