Ambrosia
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 23.9% ABV ∙
The Ambrosia is a Prohibition-era shaken sour of Cognac and Calvados, brightened with triple sec and lemon, topped with dry sparkling wine. Apple and brandy warmth lead, lemon cuts in sharp and clean, and the sparkling wine lifts the finish into something light enough for a toast.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake the first 4 ingredients with ice: Cognac 30 mlCalvados 30 mlTriple sec 10 mlLemon juice 10 ml
- Strain into the glass
- Top with Dry sparkling wine
Tips
- Shake the base spirits and juice with ice; never shake the sparkling wine, or it will overcarbonate and gush from the flute.
- Chill the sparkling wine in advance and add it last, pouring gently down the side of the flute after straining the shaken mix to preserve effervescence.
- Shake hard for a short 8-10 seconds to fully integrate the base spirits, then fine-strain to keep the flute free of ice shards.
- Use a swift double-strain into a pre-chilled flute so the cold shaken base doesn't warm the topped sparkling wine and flatten its bubbles.
History
The Ambrosia cocktail is generally traced to Arnaud's restaurant in New Orleans. Some accounts place its creation in the 1920s, while others date it to just after the end of Prohibition in 1933, when apple brandy and champagne could again be poured openly — a timeline some sources find more plausible given the ingredients' illegality before Repeal. Its name references ambrosia, the mythical food (or drink) of the gods in Greek mythology.
FAQ
What is the drink Ambrosia made of?
Cognac and Calvados form the base, balanced with triple sec and fresh lemon juice, then topped with dry sparkling wine. It is shaken and finished in a flute glass, and comes in at roughly 195 calories per serving.
Is an Ambrosia cocktail shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The Cognac, Calvados, triple sec, and lemon juice are shaken together to chill and blend, then the dry sparkling wine is added afterward to keep its carbonation.
What glass is an Ambrosia served in?
A flute glass, the same one used for Champagne cocktails, which suits the sparkling wine topping and keeps the bubbles rising cleanly.
Is an Ambrosia cocktail vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, since it is built entirely from spirits, citrus, and sparkling wine with no dairy or animal-derived ingredients.
