Armagnac and Champagne Cocktail

The Cap Vintage team also loves Armagnac in cocktails…

Armagnac is often enjoyed neat. CAP-VINTAGE offers a wide range of vintage spirits with character, straight from the cask or reduced, all very different from one another.

But Armagnac can also be enjoyed in cocktails, especially in combination with champagne: Armagnac and Champagne Cocktail.

The meeting of two terroirs: Armagnac and Champagne

The strength and aromatic richness of Armagnac combine perfectly with the finesse and freshness of champagne.

Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay are the three grape varieties most commonly used in the production of champagne.

Armagnac, on the other hand, is the result of the distillation of wines from four grape varieties: Ugni-Blanc, Baco-Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche.

Combining Armagnac, the oldest French brandy, with Champagne, a highly prized sparkling wine often associated with luxury and refinement, is symbolic. And these two very different terroirs blend wonderfully.

Armagnac and Champagne pairing: a winning combination!

Rich in color, served in a glass that flatters its ego, sometimes adorned with glitter or fresh fruit, the cocktail is gourmet, sensual, and festive. A must-have to change things up a bit from the usual glass of wine, which is certainly classy but more understated.

For cocktail preparation, VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) or XO (Extra Old) Armagnacs are the most commonly used.

VSOP is made with brandies whose youngest is at least 4 years old. It is a lightly oaked Armagnac with fruity aromas.

XO is composed of Armagnacs that have been aged for at least 6 years. These are rich and elegant brandies often found in champagne-based cocktails.

CAP VINTAGE has selected a few recipes that we particularly enjoyed, based on Champagne and Armagnac.

The Champagne Cocktail

The Champagne Cocktail is an original preparation to celebrate a special occasion or simply to discover a cocktail combining tradition and exoticism. The bitter note provided by Angostura blends perfectly with champagne and Armagnac.

90 ml Champagne – 10 ml Armagnac VSOP or XO – 2 dashes of Angostura bitters – 1 brown sugar cube – 1 lemon zest

Red Velvet Cocktail by CAP VINTAGE

In its original composition, the third ingredient complementing the Armagnac/Champagne marriage is Port. CAP VINTAGE offers a variation here with a Vin Doux Naturel (VDN) that we particularly love: Maury.

1 dash of Armagnac XO – 70 ml champagne – 70 ml Maury

Serve chilled in a champagne flute

Rue Royale Cocktail

A very gourmet cocktail with warm colors.

20 ml Armagnac VSOP or XO – 40 ml raspberry cream – 80 ml champagne

Serve chilled in a flute

Palace Emerald Cocktail

100 ml Brut Champagne – 20 ml Pimm’s – 10 ml Armagnac VSOP or XO – 10 ml Curaçao

Serve chilled in a champagne flute

Soupe Champenoise by CAP VINTAGE

A variation of the Soupe Champenoise, which originally uses Cointreau. CAP VINTAGE suggests replacing Cointreau with Armagnac here.

1 bottle of Champagne (750 ml) – 150 ml Armagnac VSOP – 150 ml liquid cane sugar – 150 ml lemon juice

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