Get your hands on this uncomplicated Seelbach cocktail recipe! The blend of bourbon, Cointreau, champagne, and bitters creates an elegant drink perfect for all celebrations.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
179
Ingredients
- 1 oz Bourbon
- ½ oz Triple Sec
- 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
- Champagne - to top
- Orange twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Champagne Flute
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Add Bitters: In a champagne flute, pour 3 dashes Angostura Bitters and 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters.
- Add Triple Sec: Measure and pour ½ oz Triple Sec into the glass
- Add Bourbon: Add 1 oz Bourbon into the glass.
- Top with Champagne: Fill the rest of the glass with Champagne.
- Garnish: Twist an orange peel over the top of the glass to release its oils, then drop it in.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey can be a good substitute. It has a similar flavor profile but is usually spicier and less sweet.
- Triple Sec: You can use any type and brand of Triple Sec to make this recipe. Curaçao can work as well, and Grand Marnier is another option, but it's a bit sweeter and has a brandy base.
- Bitters: If you can't find Angostura or Peychaud's bitters, other aromatic bitters can work in a pinch. However, keep in mind that they will provide a different flavor.
Making a Pitcher of Seelbach Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of bourbon, 4 oz of Triple Sec, 24 dashes of each bitter, and enough champagne to top off each glass.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the bourbon, Triple Sec, and bitters. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled champagne flutes, top with champagne, garnish with an orange twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic bourbon's flavor. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
- Triple Sec Substitute: Opt for an orange extract mixed with a bit of simple syrup to mimic the sweet citrus flavor of Triple Sec. Agave syrup can do the trick as well, as well as blood orange syrup if you have any!
- Champagne Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine for the bubbles.
- Angostura & Peychaud’s substitutes: for a non-alcoholic version, you can simply omit the bitters. Also note that 2 dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, this can also be a suitable option.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Seelbach Cocktail is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. However, always check your ingredients' labels to ensure they're vegan-friendly. Some brands of alcohol may use animal products in their processing methods, especially when filtration is involved.What is a Seelbach Cocktail?
A Seelbach Cocktail is a bourbon-based classic cocktail made of 1 ounce of bourbon, ½ ounce of Cointreau, three dashes each of Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters, topped with chilled champagne. It’s a variation on the classic Champagne Cocktail, originally made with Cognac and Champagne poured over an Angostura soaked sugarcube.
What is a Seelbach Cocktail made of – The ingredients
A Seelbach Cocktail is made using these specific ingredients:
- Bourbon: This is the base spirit of the Seelbach cocktail, providing a strong, robust flavor.
- Triple Sec: An orange-flavored liqueur that adds a sweet citrus note to balance the bourbon.
- Angostura Bitters: These bitters contribute complex flavors and aromas, enhancing the overall taste of the cocktail.
- Peychaud’s Bitters: Another type that adds a slightly sweeter, fruitier flavor profile than Angostura.
- Champagne: Used as a topper, it gives the cocktail a fizzy texture and lightens the strong flavors from the bourbon and bitters.
