Black Velvet

A Victorian mourning drink — stout layered over Champagne, dark on top, bright underneath.

Ingredients

• 4 oz Stout (Guinness traditional)
• 4 oz Champagne, chilled

Instructions

1. Pour the Champagne into a chilled flute, filling it halfway.
2. Hold a bar spoon upside-down just above the surface of the Champagne.
3. Slowly pour the stout over the back of the spoon so it floats on top of the Champagne.
4. Serve immediately, before the layers fully merge.

Tips

• The slower you pour the stout, the cleaner the layer — go gentler than feels reasonable.
• Use the coldest Champagne and stout you can; warmer liquids mix faster.
• The layers will eventually combine; this is a drink to be looked at briefly and then drunk.

Notes

Prosecco or Cava can stand in for Champagne. This is a $40 drink at Champagne prices and a $10 drink at Cava prices, and the difference is largely textural — the stout dominates the flavor regardless.