I’m not sure if it’s the local scene in Tulsa or a larger trend, but champagnes and sparkling wines seem to have risen in popularity over the past years. Perhaps some credit can be given to the Chambong, but I think there are a few other reasons that bubbly is in the spotlight. We’ve seen a trend towards lighter, and lower-ABV drinks in general. Sparkling wines and cocktails like spritzes satisfy this desire and have also exposed people to the broader world of wine–to wines they wouldn’t normally drink while simultaneously removing any associated pretense.
The newest cocktail book on my shelf seems to validate this claim.
Overview
Bubbly: A Collection of Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails, is the first book by cocktail writer and photographer, Colleen Jeffers. Jeffers is the mind behind the site “Good Drink”, and I can relate to her humble approach and reasoning for starting her site. She enjoys making good cocktails at home and sharing them with friends. She’s never worked behind a bar but has gleaned knowledge from countless cocktail books and friends who have.
This background has familiarized her with the best tips and tricks for making craft cocktails within the confines of an average home bar. Understanding that home bars are limited by both shelf space and budget, she was selective with what recipes to feature. The most expensive bottle mentioned is Green Chartreuse, but that’s a bottle that any serious home enthusiast should purchase.
The book opens with the usual bits, including tips on glassware, booze selection, garnishes, and tools. Jeffers includes some pages that act as cheat sheets. For example, the page that features all the two-ingredient cocktails in the book, which is perfect when you have unexpected guests.
Equally useful are the appendices. For some reason, I always enjoy skipping to the end to see what supplemental info authors include. For Bubbly, it’s drinks organized by spirit and by season, and some resources for ingredients, tools, and books. The appendix titled “Four Bottles, Eighteen Cocktails” is also quite useful. The only things I didn’t agree with were her suggested tequila (Siembra) and vodka (Tito’s). I think there are better bang-for-buck tequilas at a lower price and better vodkas at a slightly higher price than the ubiquitous Tito’s.
Recipes
The recipes themselves are broken down into six chapters.
- Classics
- Spritzes
- Brunches
- Deceptively Simple
- Worth the Effort
Just about every recipe features a photo, and recipes are laid out in the simple format you’d expect: title, tasting notes, background info, followed by the recipe itself.
Jeffers focuses on seasonal flavors, so expect recipes to request a lot of fresh fruits and herbs. And before you assume these are all cliché Pinterest-style recipes, don’t forget that Green Chartreuse is one of the suggested bottles.
Speaking of Green Chartreuse, The Last Word is one of my favorite cocktails, so it’s surprising that I didn’t first make the In Conclusion, her sparkling Last Word riff found in the chapter titled Deceptively Simple. However, I do love bitter cocktails like the Negroni, so the Bitter Sherry Fizz (also in that chapter) was an easy sell.
The Bitter Sherry Fizz (recipe below) is essentially a sherry sour (think whiskey sour but with the nuttiness of sherry) that is topped with champagne. Not only is it bitter and complex, but it’s so palatable it’s easy to find yourself making a second.
Wouldn’t want that sherry to oxidize and spoil.
The chapter titled Worth the Effort seemed like a challenge, so I had to make one of those recipes. The Spiced Scotch Pineapple Fizz quickly caught my attention with its combination of blended Scotch and champagne.
Keeping to her word, this “worth the effort” cocktail wasn’t too complex or time-consuming. The only added step was making a cinnamon simple syrup. This fall drink features Scotch, cinnamon syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, and Angostura bitters. Next time I’ll take her suggestion and start with a Laphroaig rinse in the glass.
Conclusion
Overall, Bubbly is a solid read that I think will not only increase interest in craft sparkling cocktails but also introduce people to some more complex cocktails that break the stereotypes of the category. The book is geared towards cocktail enthusiasts rather than bartenders. The recipes outlined are simple enough that even someone who simply enjoys hosting would be able to make any of them without being intimidated. It’s a solid addition to your cocktail book collection or a great choice for a gift.
Featured Recipes
Spiced Scotch Pineapple Fizz
Ingredients
Cinnamon Syrup
- 450 grams white sugar
- 450 grams water
- 3 sticks cinnamon
Spiced Scotch Pineapple Fizz
- 1 ounce blended Scotch (Famous Grouse is a good choice)
- ½ ounce cinnamon syrup (recipe below)
- ½ ounce pineapple juice (fresh preferred)
- ¼ ounce lime juice
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- ~1 ounce champagne (chilled; to top)
Instructions
Cinnamon Syrup
- Combine sugar and water and bring to a boil.
- Add cinnamon sticks.
- Reduce temperature and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow cinnamon sticks to continue to steep at room temperature overnight.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer and bottle.
Spiced Scotch Pineapple Fizz
- Combine Scotch, cinnamon syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a chilled champagne flute.
- Top with champagne.
Notes
Bitter Sherry Fizz
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Amontillado sherry (chilled)
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ¼ ounce lemon juice
- ¼ ounce Angostura bitters
- ~2 ounces champagne (chilled; to top)
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Stir then top with chilled champagne.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an (optional) orange wedge.
Notes
Disclosure: I received a prerelease version of this book for review from the publisher. That said, I did have a previous connection to an author that is published under them, so it wasn’t like the publisher sent me a free book out of the blue. If you’re interested in the other book review, you can check it out here. Book Review: Romantic Cocktails by Clair McLafferty
Also note that the affiliate links in this article earn me a small commission through Amazon, which helps fund the site.
Additional Resources:
- Bubbly: A Collection of Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails
- Follow Colleen Jeffers on Instagram
Gear and Books - Kitchen Scale
- Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails
- Fine Mesh Strainer (3 Sizes)
- Swing-Top Bottle (I think Bormioli makes the best ones.)
Another cocktail book with sparkling recipes: - Let’s Get Fizzical: More than 50 Bubbly Cocktail Recipes with Prosecco, Champagne, and Other Sparkling Wines
I created The Humble Garnish because I’m passionate about cocktails. Occasionally, I am provided with products for review or other perks. Many product links on this site are affiliate links that give me a very small kickback, and costs the buyer nothing extra. For example, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases after a link leading to Amazon is clicked. Other links may earn me affiliate commissions as well. This helps offset the cost of creating content for the site – things like camera gear, software, alcohol, glassware. I have at times accepted and at other times declined free products. I promote what I love and use, and rarely will write about a product that I don’t appreciate or own. If I don’t like a product or service, I often simply choose not to write about it.
– Andrew
