If you're looking for a citrusy sweet cocktail, you have to try this Chicago cocktail recipe. It's one of the easiest cocktail recipes to make, and perfect for any time of year.
You'll love this Chicago cocktail recipe
It's easy to make. With a few simple ingredients, this may seem like an obscure cocktail, but it's actually a great drink! It has a much larger dose of brandy thank your typical champagne drink, so it packs more of a punch than a bubbly cocktail.
It's crisp and refreshing. I love the combination of brandy and champagne! It has the perfect bubbly texture and it's such a great citrusy drink whether you want to make this on a warm summer night, or you want to make this for a fun festive holiday drink.
You might also like: Raspberry Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients
The Chicago cocktail recipe is somewhat similar to an old fashioned cocktail, if you like those. Except the whiskey is swapped for brandy and the soda water is swapped for champagne. It's such a fun bubbly twist!
Brandy. Brandy, although it has a color similar to whiskey, is a bit sweeter than whiskey. It is produced by distilling wine, so depending on what fruit is used, you'll get a sweeter or more mild brandy. Either way, you'll be able to find a bottle of brandy at your local liquor store within your budget!
Curacao. No, not the blue curacao that's in so many tropical drinks! Curacao is an orange liqueur, if you don't have curacao, you can always use triple sec, another orange liqueur, or Cointreau.
Angostura Bitters. Angostura Bitters is a must-have for any home bar. If you don't have them, I highly recommend you pick yourself up a bottle!
Champagne. You top the drink with some champagne to add some extra bubbles that is the perfect topping
You might also like: French 95
How to make this Chicago cocktail recipe
This Chicago cocktail couldn't be any easier to make! No need to be an expert mixologist to whip this up for your next at-home happy hour.
- In a cocktail shaker, or mixing glass, add in 1.5 oz of brandy, 1 dash of Angostura Bitters, and 1 dash of curacao. Add ice and shake well. Stir if you are using a mixing glass.
- Strain into a champagne flute, coupe glass, or cocktail glass.
- Top with champagne and enjoy!
Note: If you want to add a sweet twist, try putting sugar around the rim of your glass. The sugared rim adds such a great level of sweetness to complement this mixed drink.
Origin of the Chicago cocktail recipe
The Chicago cocktail is actually a recipe pulled from Harry Craddick's Savoy Cocktail Book. Contrary to its name, there are no ties to the Windy City with how it's made, where it originated from, or any Chicago-specific liquors used. It's simply a classic champagne cocktail named after the city of Chicago.
But who doesn't love an excuse to pop a bottle of champagne and make a fun bubbly drink to kick-of your weekend?
Garnish ideas
Even if you make a cocktail at home, I still believe you should garnish your drink!
- Lemon Slice
- Lemon Twist
- Lemon Wedge
- Orange Slice
- Orange Twist
- Superfine Sugar Rim
You might also like: Lillet Spritz
Substitutions and variations
Curacao. If you don't have curacao, you can substitute it for triple sec. They are both an orange liqueur.
Champagne. You can always use prosecco if you don't have champagne.
Brandy. Now, if you don't like brandy, you can certainly use substations, you just won't be making the traditional Chicago cocktail recipe. You could use whiskey or dark rum as alternates for the base of the drink.
Sweetness. If you prefer your drink a little sweeter, and the sugar on the rim of the glass isn't giving you that sweet you need, you can add either half an ounce of simple syrup or half an ounce of sweet vermouth.
FAQs
Is cognac and triple sec the same?
They are not the same, but they are both very similar. Cognac is made with brandy as a base, but still has that citrus taste, and similar ABV to triple sec. Both have ABVs around 40%.
What kind of liquor is brandy?
Brandy is a distilled spirit made from grapes! Depending on what other fruit it is distilled with, brandy could be sweeter vs. non-sweet.
Pin it for later!
Classic Chicago Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz brandy
- ¼ oz orange liqueur
- 1 dash angostura bitters
- 1½ oz champagne
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, or mixing glass, add in 1.5 oz of brandy, 1 dash of Angostura Bitters, and 1 dash of curacao. Add ice and shake well. Stir if you are using a mixing glass.
- Strain into a champagne flute, coupe glass, or cocktail glass.
- Top with champagne and enjoy!
Leave a Reply