Black Velvet Cocktail

According to lore, the black velvet cocktail was created in 1861 at Brook’s Club in London to honor the passing of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. Queen Victoria wore black for the rest of her life, so this cocktail, which shrouds effervescent sparkling white wine (or, more traditionally, champagne) with dark Guinness stout, is a fitting tribute.

Although it might seem odd, the resulting cocktail is an intriguing combination of the dark flavors of stout beer and the light and fruity (and bubbly!) flavors of dry sparkling wine. This cocktail is perfect for serving at a St. Patrick’s Day brunch or for enjoying before an Irish-inspired meal.

Black Velvet Cocktail Ingredients

• Sparkling white wine: Look for a dry sparkling white wine to use for this cocktail. If you plan to make only a few cocktails, two splits (187 milliliters each) should be enough for three. If you do open a larger bottle and have leftover sparkling wine, use a champagne stopper to seal the bottle. If you don’t have a champagne stopper on hand, cling wrap and a rubber band will also do the trick in a pinch. Then try one of our other champagne cocktail recipes to use up the rest before it loses its bubbles.
• Guinness stout beer: Guinness is an Irish stout beer known for its dark color, velvety finish and rich, foamy head. For the best flavor, use Guinness Draught Nitro Stout.

Directions

Step 1: Add the Guinness

Pour the stout into a champagne flute or highball glass.

Step 2: Top with sparkling wine

Slowly top it with the sparkling wine. Serve it immediately.

Black Velvet Cocktail Variations

• Use champagne: To match the original black velvet cocktail recipe, use champagne in place of sparkling wine. You don’t need to use your finest Dom Perignon, but do choose a brand of champagne you would like to drink on its own.
• Make it layered: Some black velvet cocktails appear layered, with the opaque stout on the bottom and the more transparent sparkling wine on top beneath the foamy head. You can attempt this at home by slowly pouring the sparkling wine over an overturned bar spoon on top of the Guinness. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work; it’s tricky! Some people recommend pouring the sparkling wine into the glass first, so you can try it that way if you like, but we’ve found that it makes more sense to add the stout first.
• Prep a “poor man’s black velvet” cocktail: This variation replaces the sparkling wine or champagne with a dry cider.
• Try other stouts: Although the classic black velvet is made with Guinness, you could also make it with another stout. Or you can use a porter in place of the stout.

Black Velvet Cocktail Tips

What type of glass do you use for a black velvet cocktail?

A black velvet cocktail is traditionally served is a champagne flute. However, you could also serve this cocktail in another type of cocktail glass, whether that’s a highball or a pint glass. Depending on your glassware, you may need to use more or less total liquid. The key is to maintain a 1-1 ratio of sparkling wine to Guinness.

What should you serve with a black velvet?

This rich and effervescent cocktail would pair quite well with a charcuterie board featuring sharp cheeses and savory crackers. It would also be a fun and unexpected way to start off a traditional Irish American St. Patrick’s Day meal featuring corned beef and cabbage.