A day that starts with a glass of bubbly is bound to be a good one. Whether you're celebrating a holiday, hosting a glitzy brunch or just toasting that it's Tuesday, you'll need to serve plenty of food to soak up the Champagne. Luckily, nearly any delicious breakfast food is a worthy complement.
Cocktails
First, the drinks. You may want to drink Champagne straight or dilute it a little with sweet mixers. Combine it with orange or grapefruit juice and add a splash of lime juice or grenadine syrup for extra flavor. You can also muddle berries in the bottom of a glass or mix the bubbly with sweet liqueurs. Try pomegranate-, orange- or apple-flavored options.
If you're hosting a party, create a Champagne bar. Set out labeled carafes of various juices and liqueurs and lets guests mix their own custom cocktails.
Hot and Savory
No Champagne breakfast is complete without eggs. Serve scrambled eggs sprinkled with chopped chives, or make a truly elegant offering by topping fluffy eggs with sour cream and a dollop of caviar. Poached eggs are also suitably formal for this breakfast. Serve them with Parmesan toast or as part of eggs Benedict.
If you're making breakfast ahead of time, make egg frittatas loaded with vegetables or bake a hash brown casserole filled with sausage and cheese.
Sweet and Light
If you're saving room for lunch, opt for breakfast foods that are fruity and refreshing. Cold fruit soup pairs well with Champagne, and it's an interesting twist on the usual breakfast fare. Make soup with fresh or frozen berries, peaches, melon or whatever fruit is in season.
A tapas approach to breakfast also works. Fill platters with chopped fruit, cubes of cheese, chunks of toasted pound cake and pastries.
Mushrooms, seafood and cheese are all perfect pairings for Champagne.
Cocktails
First, the drinks. You may want to drink Champagne straight or dilute it a little with sweet mixers. Combine it with orange or grapefruit juice and add a splash of lime juice or grenadine syrup for extra flavor. You can also muddle berries in the bottom of a glass or mix the bubbly with sweet liqueurs. Try pomegranate-, orange- or apple-flavored options.
If you're hosting a party, create a Champagne bar. Set out labeled carafes of various juices and liqueurs and lets guests mix their own custom cocktails.
Tip :You're free to bill your bash as a Champagne breakfast, but you might not technically be serving Champagne. Only fizzy wine made in the Champagne region of France can carry this name, and with that name comes high prices. Ask a clerk at your local liquor store to recommend a good quality Champagne-like sparkling wine in your price range.Food Options
Hot and Savory
No Champagne breakfast is complete without eggs. Serve scrambled eggs sprinkled with chopped chives, or make a truly elegant offering by topping fluffy eggs with sour cream and a dollop of caviar. Poached eggs are also suitably formal for this breakfast. Serve them with Parmesan toast or as part of eggs Benedict.
If you're making breakfast ahead of time, make egg frittatas loaded with vegetables or bake a hash brown casserole filled with sausage and cheese.
Sweet and Light
If you're saving room for lunch, opt for breakfast foods that are fruity and refreshing. Cold fruit soup pairs well with Champagne, and it's an interesting twist on the usual breakfast fare. Make soup with fresh or frozen berries, peaches, melon or whatever fruit is in season.
A tapas approach to breakfast also works. Fill platters with chopped fruit, cubes of cheese, chunks of toasted pound cake and pastries.
Tip : Don't be intimidated by pairing Champagne with food. Bubbly actually pairs well with most kinds of food. It's especially well-matched to salty foods. But since different varietals will work better with different dishes, try to plan your menu before you go wine shopping. A knowledgable liquor store clerk can help you make the best selections.More Ideas
Mushrooms, seafood and cheese are all perfect pairings for Champagne.
- Serve sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes over grilled bread and topped with a fried egg, or make omelets with mixed wild mushrooms.
- Top bagels with smoked salmon or make a lobster quiche. Food & Wine even swears by making lobster breakfast tacos.
- Fry onions and potatoes in a skillet and sprinkle them liberally with grated cheese, then broil the dish just until the cheese browns. Cheese and ham or bacon breakfast muffins are also crowd pleasers.
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