We’ve got three easy and gorgeous Champagne cocktail recipes, inspired by the legendary parties at Philip Johnson’s Glass House. Did you miss the post on Philip Johnson? You can link to it here. The three cocktails pictured above couldn't be easier to make and are absolutely delicious. Our trio includes the following: In the upper left is the Seelback cocktail, in the middle is the classic Champagne cocktail and in the upper right is the Benediction cocktail.
Arguably his most famous work, the Glass house not only made Philip Johnson a celebrity, it was the place to see and be seen. Designed as a weekend retreat, it was more a showplace than a home. Inspired by (or some might say copied from) Mies Van der Rohe’s Farnsworth house, it was a temple to Modernism. Much like the incredibly dry martinis that he drank, everything in the house was distilled down to the pure essentials. Every piece of furniture and art was selected and placed with such precision, that nothing could ever be added or moved. Even years later, when a photographer
attempted to move an ash tray, Philip moved it back into place.
David Whitney (Philip's life partner) and Philip were prodigious entertainers. From rock stars to starchitects, anyone who was anyone got an invite to the Glass House. As the consummate host and life of the party, Phillip made sure that there was always plenty of sparkling conversation and cocktails to go around. Although he famously drank martinis, I would imagine that there may have been a few Champagne cocktails served as well.
Champagne cocktails are easy, glamorous and delicious. But they do require a sugar cube. You cannot make any of these cocktails with regular sugar. It should be a refined, white sugar cube. Unrefined sugar will muddy the color and clarity of your champagne.
Classic Champagne Cocktail
Place a sugar cube in a Champagne coup and douse it with Angostura bitters.
Fill the coup with Champers. Garnish with a lemon twist.
The Benediction Cocktail
Place a sugar cube in a Champagne coup and douse it with orange bitters.
Pour half an ounce of Benedictine into a Champagne coup and then top with Champagne.
The Seelbach Cocktail This recipe hails from the historic Seelbach hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.
Place a sugar cube in a Champagne coup and douse it with Angostura bitters.
Add half an ounce of bourbon to the coupe and top with Champagne.
Be forewarned, similar to the French 75, this cocktail is quite potent and goes down quickly.
Comments