When there’s something to celebrate, a special beverage is in order: champagne! But before diving headlong into champagne cocktails, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with how to open champagne. Whether you’re setting up a champagne bar or making a toast, here are a sommelier’s tips on how to open a champagne bottle.
Know the Bubbly Rules
There are two cardinal rules when it comes to opening a bottle of champagne.
Rule 1: Stay safe
Whatever you do, make sure you never point the top of the bottle at anyone. Bottles of champagne and other sparkling wine are super pressurized, turning the cork into a ready-made projectile. If you’re not careful, you can seriously hurt someone. This pressure is the same reason that bottles of sparkling wine are made from thicker glass than their still counterparts.
Rule 2: Waste not, want not
While the movies may have us thinking that the bottle should open with a loud pop followed by a stream of champagne, in reality the exact opposite is true. After all, you don’t want to waste any of that liquid gold! Quieter is better here.
How to Open a Champagne Bottle
Here are foolproof steps to opening a bottle of bubbly without worrying about any cork-related injuries to friends or your ceiling. Most importantly, whether you’re serving a vintage bottle, a nonalcoholic champagne or the best cheap champagne, you’ll never waste a drop.
Step 1: Remove the foil
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If there’s a pull-tab on the foil cover, pull on it to cut through the wrapper and remove.
Alternatively, use the serrated knife of a wine key to cut the metal foil right below the lip of the bottle. Set the foil aside.
Step 2: Undo the wire cage
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While keeping pressure on the cork with your thumb, gently twist the ‘o’ ring of the wire cage until it comes loose. You can leave the wire cage over the cork while you open the bottle, or carefully remove it and set aside.
Step 3: Twist the bottle
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Cover the top of the bottle with a kitchen towel or napkin, and place one hand on top of the bottle with the thumb firmly over the cork. Once you’re certain the bottle is pointed away from bystanders (or anything fragile), slowly rotate the bottle while holding the cork with the towel. The cork should begin spinning slightly, allowing the gas to gradually and naturally escape.
At this point, you should hear a gentle hiss. Don’t let it shoot out at full speed: Keep a little pressure on the cork as you slowly ease it out of the bottle.
Step 4: Open the bottle
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As the cork comes out, there should be little to no “pop.” That’s the goal. If the bottle was properly chilled and handled with care, there will be no overflow gushing out, either. But if there is, have the glasses ready. Flutes look nice but they aren’t necessarily the best glasses for champagne. Try white wine glasses instead!
Step 5: Pour and serve
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Rest the bottle on the rim of the glass to pour, which prevents those tiny bubbles from escaping. Then pour slowly, pausing to allow the bubbles to settle, and fill the glass about halfway.
Pass the glasses around, and clink a toast for any reason. Now everyone can enjoy a delicious glass of champagne with a tasty spread of one-bite snacks and other party food.
Up Next: How Long Does Champagne Last After Opening?
Pour the Bubbly for a Champagne Cocktail
Holiday MimosaRaspberry liqueur and ruby red grapefruit juice are the base of this recipe that gets a champagne topping. But let's be serious: It's all about the sparkly sugar rim. You could even swap red crystals for green ones or enlist one of these other
cocktail garnish ideas.
Cotton Candy Champagne CocktailsThis whimsical libation may not be as pink as cotton candy, but that's because the spun confection melts into the champagne-vodka drink, leaving only sweet flavors behind. To play up the carnival-centric ingredient, try pairing it with
cotton candy grapes.
Bubbly Champagne PunchOne of the best things about punch bowl cocktails is they can be made ahead of time, and then jazzed up with fresh bubbles before guests arrive. To make this one, you'll need any ring mold you use for
Jell-O recipes. Line the mold with orange slices and frozen cranberries, pour pineapple juice and ginger ale on top, then freeze until you're ready to pop it in the bowl. It's an instant party pleaser!
Sparkling Peach BellinisThe difference between a highly quaffable bellini and a cloying one is all in the peach puree preparation. Skip the syrupy store-bought mixers and make your own with this easy recipe. We promise honey-roasted peach juice is a million times better—with less added sugar to boot.
PoinsettiaEveryone's favorite holiday plant turned holiday tipple! All you need is red cranberry juice, Triple Sec and chilled champagne to whip up these festive flutes. Topped with fresh berries, they make quite the entrance on a silver tray.
Champagne CocktailYou don't need a bottle of fancy champagne for this amber-hued cocktail that resembles a fizzy old-fashioned. In fact, Prosecco, cava or even a brut rosé will do just fine. If you want to make that bubbly last all night without having to actually pour every single glass, set up a self-serve
champagne bar with sparkling wine, mixers and garnishes.
Champagne Party PunchThis party punch is the ultimate holiday thirst quencher for a crowd. Not only does it make a whopping 18 servings, but you can basically use up all the juices in your fridge for it. Plus champagne, of course.
Cranberry Orange MimosasSeeking something red and sparkly to serve at your fête? This cranberry-hued mimosa fits the bill and employs orange juice and champagne to offset the tartness. Because the
shelf life of opened champagne is short, this 12-serving recipe makes good use of opened bottles.
Vanilla Bean FizzFresh vanilla beans infuse the most wonderful aroma and flavor to any dish or drink around the holidays, so put them to good use in homemade vanilla bean syrup for this bubbly beverage.
Sparkling Apple Pie on the RocksApple pie in cocktail form? Brilliant for Thanksgiving celebrations. With notes of warming spices, caramel ice cream topping and a beautiful rim of sparkly gold sprinkles, your guests will love this aperitif.
Peach ChampagnePro tip: Freeze fresh peaches and strawberries in the summertime and you'll have them available when the holidays roll around. Then all you have to do is stir in soda, liqueur and champagne before serving.
Mimosa FloatsFor the most indulgent mimosa upgrade, try adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of champagne and OJ for fizzy, creamy flutes. While we have recommendations for the
best champagnes for mimoses, you can also use sparkling cider to make it a kid-friendly float.
Champagne Fruit PunchMeet the adult-friendly version of your favorite straw-hole punch from childhood. Pull out your favorite pitcher or a vintage holiday punch bowl to serve this 16-serving cocktail.
Pear & Ginger SparklerLove the idea of a bellini, but not into peaches? Or in need of a revamped sparkler to tempt your guests over the holidays? Simmer pear nectar, pears, ginger and sugar, then blend, strain, add vodka and top with champagne for an unexpected take on the famed brunch cocktail.
Orange-Apricot Mimosa PunchCitrus fruits like oranges and tangerines lead the way in this mimosa-esque punch you can double or triple for a crowd. You can even make an orange-tangerine ice ring several days ahead of time to display in a bowl the day of your event.
Mango BelliniMango desserts might make you think of summer, but mango sparkling cocktails are a welcome sipper for those spending the holidays in a more tropical climate. For a more exotic spin on the bellini, substitute peach puree with fresh mango nectar and add Prosecco.
Orange Dream MimosasJust like an orange creamsicle, but a little bit boozy. Use sparkling cider, ginger ale or sparkling grape juice for a nonalcoholic version.
Strawberry MimosasStrawberry mimosas add the perfect pop of pink for bridal showers, Valentine's Day and even holiday brunches when you're in the mood for summer flavors in the dead of winter. This three-ingredient recipe couldn't be easier, either. Just blitz frozen or fresh berries with orange juice in a blender, strain through a sieve and top with champagne in your glassware of choice.
French 75This beloved champagne cocktail has quite the backstory. Legend has it that it was created at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, France during WWI. Named after the French 75 mm artillery gun, you can imagine it packed quite the kick. Our version is a little lighter thanks to less gin.
Champagne PunchA blend of four fruit juices pairs well with bubbly champagne in this party-pleasing punch. Garnish with a lime wheel or a grapefruit wedge.
Spring Strawberry SangriaWine-infused berries make a lovely addition to this special occasion drink that works just as well at the holidays as it does in the spring, given its festive gold and red colors.
Peach-Basil CoolerPeach juice, champagne, an herbaceous infusion of basil and just the right amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice are perfection in this peach-basil cooler. Be sure to buy enough basil that you'll have some leaves left over for aromatic garnishes.
MimosaThere's nothing wrong with a classic. In case you need a reminder on how to flawlessly execute a mimosa at home, allow us to guide the way with this tutorial on the correct champagne to OJ ratio.
