Black Velvet

With the holiday party and celebration season upon us, tonight’s cocktail is perfect for such events. From my research, it appears this cocktail is well over 150 years old and that it was crafted upon the death of Prince Albert (yes, Queen Victoria’s Prince Consort) at the Brook’s Club in London in 1861. Thinking that drinking champagne might construe celebrating this somber event, the bartender floated Guinness on top to mimic the mourner’s black armbands. The result became this wonderful, yet under appreciated cocktail. Well given that I really enjoy sparkling wines – champagne, cava, prosecco, etc – I just had to try this one and extol its charms. Give it a try and enjoy something a bit different this holiday season!

Cheers!

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Black Velvet

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

Ingredients

4 oz sparkling wine (opt for a drier wine over a sweeter one)
4 oz Guinness stout

Instructions

Chill the sparkling wine and Guinness.
Pour the sparkling wine into a champagne flute.
Slowly pour the Guinness over an inverted spoon to keep the sparkling wine from bubbling over.

Notes

As can be imagined, there are many ways to make this cocktail. Along with the way I documented here, you can reverse the order of ingredients, stir to combine or c create layers, and even combine 1 bottle of sparkling wine with 2 bottles of Guinness stout in a chilled pitcher for easy party pouring. Also, the choice of glassware is completely open - I saw everything from flute to collins to highball, heck even a beer schooner!

Chill the sparkling wine and Guinness.
Pour the sparkling wine into a champagne flute.
Slowly pour the Guinness over an inverted spoon to keep the sparkling wine from bubbling over.