Ritz Cocktail
Cognac, orange liqueur, maraschino and lemon topped with Champagne. A modern classic by Dale DeGroff.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 17% ABV
Ingredients
- 20 ml Cognac
- 15 ml Triple sec / Cointreau
- 5 ml Maraschino liqueur
- 10 ml Fresh lemon juice
- 60 ml Champagne or sparkling wine
- Orange twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 20 ml cognac into the mixing glass
- Pour 15 ml Triple sec / Cointreau into the mixing glass
- Pour 5 ml maraschino liqueur into the mixing glass
- Add 10 ml fresh lemon juice
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Top with 60 ml champagne or sparkling wine
- Garnish
Tip
Stir the base briefly, then top.
About the Ritz Cocktail
Created by Dale DeGroff in the 1980s for the Ritz-Carlton in Boston.
The sparkling family. Champagne cocktails go back to Jerry Thomas's 1862 book, where a sugar cube and bitters were dropped into a glass of sparkling wine. The French 75, the Kir Royale and the Bellini, created in Venice in the 1940s, made sparkling drinks the symbol of celebration.
Ritz Cocktail FAQ
What's in a Ritz Cocktail?
20 ml cognac, 15 ml triple sec / cointreau, 5 ml maraschino liqueur, 10 ml fresh lemon juice, 60 ml champagne or sparkling wine, garnished with orange twist.
How strong is a Ritz Cocktail?
About 17% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.8 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is stronger than a glass of wine.
Should I shake or stir a Ritz Cocktail?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Ritz Cocktail in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
