What’s better than a champagne cocktail, whether the bubbly is flavored with cranberry juice or cotton candy? Honestly, you could float Lucky Charms in champagne, and I’d probably drink it. So when Tom Hanks went on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and introduced the world to his new, bizarre champagne-spiked cocktail, I was ready to raise a glass.
If you’ve ever downed a mimosa—or four—at brunch, you know how simple it can be to make a champagne cocktail. Just spike the juice of your choice with bubbly, and you’re off. In Utah, non-drinkers are all about spiking sodas with everything from fruit juice to cream to fancy syrups, dubbing them “dirty sodas.” So Hanks’ bubbly brew is really pretty understandable.
What Is Tom Hanks’ Cocktail Made of?
Gael Fashingbauer Cooper for Taste of Home
Hanks told Colbert he isn’t a drinker. But recently while dining out with his wife Rita Wilson, he asked the restaurant staff to pour a shot of champagne into his Diet Coke, so he could feel like he was celebrating, too. To name the new tipple, Hanks combined the words “Diet Coke” and “champagne,” dubbing the drink a “Diet Cokagne.” Someone alert Sheriff Woody because that kinda sounds like it should be illegal.
The recipe, however, couldn’t be simpler. Hanks fills his glass about one-third full with Diet Coke, then simply tops it off with champagne. You don’t even have to stir. Why, a guy cast away on an island with a volleyball could make it, if he had the ingredients in one of his handy-dandy FedEx boxes.
Here’s What I Thought
Not being on a Tom Hanks budget, I subbed in prosecco for fancy, real French champagne. Hey, they’re both bubbly bevvies, and Italy is on speaking terms with France, so why not?
Hanks is a type 2 diabetic, and Diet Coke is his drink of choice, he told Colbert. So I tried that as a drink base first. The drink itself smells delightfully sweet, almost like pink bubblegum, and with the addition of the sparkling wine, the Diet Coke tastes a bit more like full-sugar Coke. The sparkling wine gives the cola taste a bubbly boost, but it’s not too liquor-y.The result? A neat sipping situation that makes plain soda more special. It may not be a classic cocktail, but it has our seal of approval.
I also tried Hanks’ drink with regular Coke, and with zero sugar cherry Coke. The cherry Coke cocktail was especially good, sweet and fruity with a bubbly edge, reminding me of childhood Shirley Temple drinks, back when kids actually ordered those.
I’m not convinced the Tom Hanks cocktail is some overwhelming innovation. Rum and Coke drinks have been around forever, and mimosas have surely been mixed using just about every beverage in the diner.
But there’s something charming about Hanks sitting in a fancy restaurant with his Diet Coke, wanting to join in the champagne celebration, almost like a little kid drinking milk in a fancy glass. If I happen to be chugging a Diet Coke at a table where sparkling wine of any kind is around, I might just spike up my glass in the future.
Like Hanks says so memorably in Forrest Gump, “you never know what you’re gonna get.” This time, what we got was pretty good.
Not up for a drink? Try our favorite champagne recipes.
Bubbly Champagne Cocktails Recipes You'll Love
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.
