Instructions

1
Add Cognac, orange juice, and grenadine into a shaker with ice.
2
Shake well and strain into a large glass (wine glass or large flute).
3
Top with chilled Champagne.

Champagne Pick Me Up

Name: Champagne Pick Me Up
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 30 ml Cognac; 30 ml Fresh Orange Juice; 5 ml Grenadine; 60 ml Champagne

The Champagne Pick Me Up is the luxurious cousin of the Buck’s Fizz. It is a more complex, structured “morning” drink that uses Brandy (Cognac) as its backbone, providing a richer experience that transition elegantly from breakfast to early lunch.

Key Takeaways

Spirit-Fortified Sparkling: More potent than a Mimosa or Buck’s Fizz.
Bright & Fruity: Balanced by the acidity of orange and the sweetness of grenadine.
ABV: Moderate (approximately 12-14%).
Primary Glassware: Large wine glass or oversized flute.

The History of the Champagne Pick Me Up

This cocktail appears in the early IBA lists (1961) as a standard for high-end hotel bars. The term “Pick Me Up” refers to the Victorian-era belief that a mixture of spirits and citrus could revive a weary traveler or soothe the effects of a previous night’s overindulgence.

Ingredient Definition and Selection

Cognac

A quality VS Cognac is sufficient. Its fruit and spice notes provide the “pick me up” character that the drink is known for.

Fresh Orange Juice

Always freshly squeezed. The sweetness and acidity of fresh juice are necessary to interact with the wine.

Grenadine

The grenadine is used primarily for color and a touch of pomegranate sweetness. Ensure you use a high-quality, real pomegranate syrup rather than a red-dyed sugar water.

Champagne

A dry (Brut) Champagne provides the backbone. The bubbles help to lift the heavier components of the cognac and juice.

Preparation and Best Practices

The Shake: Shake the cognac, juice, and grenadine vigorously. You want to make sure the heavier syrup is fully integrated and the mixture is icy cold before adding the wine.
The Float: When adding the Champagne, pour it gently over the back of a spoon if you want to create a subtle layered effect, or simply pour it straight in for a well-incorporated drink.
Glassware Choice: While a flute is traditional, a large wine glass allows the complex aromatics of the Cognac and Champagne to fully develop.