Black Velvet Cocktail

Black Velvet Cocktail


  • Total: 3 mins
  • Prep: 3 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 cocktail (1 serving)

The black velvet is an interesting mixed drink that combines ​​Champagne and dark beer in a single glass. One may think this an unlikely combination but it's actually quite good. It has been around for a very long time and may even be the original beer mixed drink!

Supposedly, the black velvet was created by a London steward. It was served while the country was in mourning over the 1861 death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert.

For the stout, Guinness Extra Stout is an excellent choice and the most common beer poured in this cocktail. If you're careful while pouring it, you can get the two ingredients to create the beautiful layers of pale sparkling wine with a thick black top and foamy head. It can be helpful to use the bartender's floating trick by pouring the beer over the back of a bar spoon to disrupt the flow. It's the secret behind other layered beer drinks like the black and tan.

The drink has been such a hit over the years that it has inspired a few companies to bottle similar mixes over the years. However, it's rare that these last long on the market. That's not really a surprise because it's such an easy mix that anyone can pull off at home.


  • 4 ounces Champagne (chilled)
  • 4 ounces stout (chilled)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the Champagne into a wine flute, filling the glass halfway.

  3. Slowly pour the stout on top to fill the glass.

  4. Serve and enjoy!


  • You can also pour this drink in a beer mug or pint glass, though the flute does add a fancy touch. No matter the glass, pour equal amounts of Champagne and stout.
  • Since there is no ice involved in mixing this drink, it really is best when both ingredients are well-chilled. It's something you likely do for both sparkling wine and stout anyway but don't forget to do it when making the black velvet.
  • Though traditionally made with French Champagne, any sparkling wine will create a nice black velvet. You might, for instance, pour Italy's Prosecco or Spain's cava, both of which tend to be less expensive than Champagne.

Recipe Variation

  • Some people prefer the black velvet with more Champagne rather than the 1:1 mix in this recipe. Try a 2:1 pour by visually dividing the glass into three parts, pouring that much wine, then topping it with the stout.

How Strong Is a Black Velvet?

Mixing two light alcoholic beverages is going to result in a light cocktail compared to most which typically include at least one liquor. Guinness Extra Stout is bottle at 5.6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and the average for Champagne is 12 percent ABV. Combining the two, the black velvet will be 8 percent ABV.