Ingredients
- 3½ ounces stout, preferably Guinness
- 3½ ounces prosecco
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add stout and prosecco.
- Enjoy!
Black Velvet Cocktail Variations and Substitutions
There are plenty of ways to customize and change up the black velvet cocktail's flavor profile despite the simplicity of this drink.
- Some recipes call for a splash to a quarter ounce of crème de cassis or crème de mure to be added. The crème de cassis adds a tart berry tone, while the crème de mure adds a jammy blackberry flavor.
- Opt for a splash of raspberry liqueur for a sweeter berry flavor.
- Explore different styles of prosecco, from those that have a drier flavor to those with sweeter notes, to see which profile you like best with your black velvet cocktail.
- Swap the stout for a hard cider.
Garnishes for the Black Velvet Drink
The black velvet has no garnish, but if you must have one, these will complete the look.
- Top off the head of the cocktail with a small pinch of lemon zest or a small lemon ribbon or peel.
- Sprinkle a small amount of grated nutmeg, hazelnut, or cinnamon.
- Float a single mint leaf overtop of the drink.
- Pierce a cocktail cherry with a skewer and rest it on the rim to balance without falling into the drink.
About the Black Velvet Cocktail
Some cocktails don't see much circulation on bar menus or among imbibers at home. In fact, you may even think this cocktail is a modern invention, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Cocktail lore tells that a bartender from the London Brooks's Club crafted the black velvet cocktail for mourners to imbibe while mourning the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. Prosecco was too cheerful and upbeat to enjoy for such an event. However, some say the cocktail's dark color echoes the color of the black armbands mourners wore. Others say the black look of the cocktail was simply to mimic the grim tone of the country.
Black Velvet Is Always Elegantly Simple
It's never a bad thing to keep a few simple two-ingredient cocktails in your back pocket to prepare for any occasion. Hang up your gin and tonic or usual glass of prosecco for something a bit darker. Explore the world of the black velvet cocktail.
