Bluebird Spin on the Champagne Cocktail

It’s the Roaring Twenties again at The Bluebird Cocktail Room in Baltimore, where the Champagne is flowing. This snazzy, literary-themed cocktail lounge is serving a spiced Champagne cocktail this winter. “We serve it in a wide coup glass playing into The Great Gatsby,” says J. R. Gilpin, bar manager at Bluebird. “That’s why it’s [called] Millionaire’s Obsession. Having Champagne served in coup glasses was a big thing in the 1920s.” A century later, it’s still the perfect way to add a touch of luxury to a party. “It’s one of those classic cocktails that has been around forever because it’s so simple, it’s so beautiful, [and] it’s very easy to execute during high-volume times,” says Gilpin. Instead of brandy, the Millionaire’s Obsession uses spiced pear liqueur, made in-house to put a Bluebird spin on it.

The Speaker is Gilpin’s low-ABV take on the drink, with flavors that transition from winter into spring—“something a little more tropical that lends itself to Tiki but still falls in line with that classic Champagne cocktail,” he says. The drink, which has Aztec and South American influences, is topped with tepache, a fermented pineapple beverage, instead of Champagne. When you sip, “you’re going to get that bright, fresh, high-acid, juicy pineapple with a little bit of funk,” says Gilpin, “then that floral, tart, bitter hibiscus rounded out with those more earthy notes from the dahlia.”

Champagne Cocktail

Celebrate the holiday season like it’s the roaring twenties with a classic — the Champagne Cocktail. This classic drink melts a sugar cube in brandy and champagne topped with a delicious orange wheel garnish.

Millionaire’s Obsession 

Coup glasses were all the rage for champagne in the 1920s, which inspired Gilpin to create the Millionaire’s Obsession — a bubbly twist on a classic champagne cocktail that will add a bit of luxury to your dinner party.

The Speaker

If you’re looking for a low-ABV beverage to serve your guests, Baltimore bartender J.R. Gilpin created this tropical twist on the classic champagne cocktail. Infused with Aztec and South American influence, this drink is a refreshing and bright option that serves 12.

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Drinks

Champagne with Breakfast

Add all ingredients except champagne to shaker. Shake, then double strain into a coupe glass. Top with champagne and garnish with 3 thinly sliced apple slices dipped in cinnamon, fanned out over top.

On the Road

Baltimore

Hometown pride abounds in Baltimore so much so that it oozes into the city’s dining experiences, which capture the flavors of Chesapeake.

Recipes

Crêpes with Champagne Rote Grutze

Crêpes 1 scant cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon sugar (if making savory crêpes, omit sugar and substitute a bit of freshly ground pepper) ¼ teaspoon salt