The Winetasting.com Blog

March 17, 2011 | Adrienne Doss

Celebrate St. Patty's Day with Green Champagne

Happy St. Patrick's Day! While this holiday is frequently celebrated with green beer, wine lovers can join the fun with these easy recipes for green Champagne and Champagne-based cocktails.

Waiters served green Champagne at the White House
for St. Patrick's Day 2009.

Green Champagne

Ingredients:

1 bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine
1 bottle of green food coloring
1 Champagne flute

Directions:

Pour champagne into glass. Add one drop of green food coloring. Drink! (Yes, it's just that simple.)

Natural Green Champagne

If you're allergic to synthetic food coloring or just prefer a "greener" lifestyle, check your local health food store for a natural green food dye, like spirulina powder (pictured). You can also boil spinach leaves, then simmer and reduce the remaining water until it's concentrated. Use sparingly to avoid changing the taste of the Champagne.

Green Champagne Cocktails

If you're not opposed to a little creative mixology, try adding a shot of green liqueur to your Champagne. Common choices are melon liqueur, creme de menthe and sour apple schnapps. If you're feeling adventurous, check your local liquor store for a bottle of Chartreuse herbal green liqueur or Agwa de Bolivi, which is made from coca leaves.

Recommended Wines:

J Vineyards Cuvée 20 Brut Sparkling Wine

Gracefully opens up with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas, followed by a mix of Fuji apple, grapefruit and a sweet hint of angel food cake. The acidity adds just enough liveliness and the citrus zest leads to a lingering, warm pear and lush finish.

[WJSSXXC0] $21.99/bottle

Vallebelbo Moscato d'Asti Sparkling Dessert Wine

Pale with golden reflections, this wine boasts the trademark fragrance of mandarin orange along with extremely fruity aromas and flavors of guava and lychee. Perfect for the wine lover who prefers a gentler fizz than is offered with Champagne, and a sweeter flavor.

[ITA682] $17.99/bottle

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