Seelbach Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Seelbach is a bourbon-and-bubbles cocktail that sits in the same celebratory family as the Champagne Cocktail, but with a distinctly American whiskey backbone. It’s best thought of as a sparkling aperitif-style drink: bright, aromatic, and built to feel festive without losing depth. While its exact origin story isn’t something you’ll find universally agreed upon, the drink’s character clearly nods to classic hotel-bar elegance—spirits, citrus liqueur, and bitters lifted by a Champagne-style finish.
You’ll find bourbon brings warm, rounded sweetness, while triple sec adds a clear orange note that lightens the whiskey and keeps the profile lively. A dash each of aromatic bitters and Peychaud’s Aromatic Bitters layers in spice and a gentle anise-tinged perfume, giving the drink structure and a lingering, fragrant finish. Topped with Champagne or prosecco, everything turns crisp and effervescent, with the bubbles carrying those bitters-and-citrus aromas straight to the nose.
Serve it in a Champagne glass when you want something that feels like a toast but drinks with more complexity than straight sparkling wine. It suits bourbon fans who still want a bright, sparkling edge, and it’s a natural fit for celebrations, pre-dinner drinks, or any moment where you want your first sip to feel instantly special.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Champagne glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Bourbon leads with warm oak and vanilla, lifted by triple sec’s bright orange sweetness, while Champagne or prosecco adds crisp bubbles that keep it airy; aromatic bitters and Peychaud’s bring clove, anise, and cherry-tinged spice through the finish. It works because the citrus and fizz lighten the whiskey and the dual bitters add structure, ideal for bourbon fans who want something festive rather than boozy.
Method
How to make a Seelbach
- Bourbon 30ml, Triple sec 15ml, Champagne / prosecco Top up, Aromatic bitters Dash, Peychaud's Aromatic Bitters Dash
-
- Add all the ingredients to a chilled champagne flute before topping up with the champagne
-
- Garnish with an orange peel twist and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Seelbach with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Pre-chill your Champagne flute to keep the cocktail colder for longer and enhance the overall drinking experience.
- Adjust the amount of bitters depending on your preference. More bitters will add complexity and a more pronounced herbal finish.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Seelbach cocktail?
The Seelbach cocktail originates from the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. It was reportedly created by accident in 1917 when a bartender mistakenly added Champagne to a bourbon cocktail. The result was so successful that it became a signature drink of the hotel.
Can I use a different type of bitters if I don't have Peychaud's or Angostura?
While Peychaud's and Angostura Bitters are traditional and recommended for the authentic Seelbach taste, you can certainly experiment with other types of bitters. The flavor profile will change, but you might discover a variation that you personally enjoy.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Seelbach cocktail?
Yes, to create a non-alcoholic version of the Seelbach, you can substitute the bourbon with a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative and replace the Champagne with a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling cider. Use non-alcoholic bitters or a bitters-flavored syrup to maintain some of the complexity of the original drink.
What food pairings work well with the Seelbach cocktail?
The Seelbach, with its bubbly and bittersweet profile, pairs well with appetizers and light bites such as shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, charcuterie boards, or a cheese platter. Its effervescence and acidity can cut through rich, fatty foods, making it an excellent choice for the start of a meal.
How significant is the alcohol content in the Seelbach cocktail, and how does it compare to other cocktails?
The Seelbach cocktail has an alcohol content of approximately 19%, which places it on the higher end of the spectrum compared to many other cocktails. This relatively high alcohol content is due to the combination of bourbon and Champagne. It's stronger than most wine and beer options but similar or slightly higher than many classic cocktails, making it a potent choice for those who enjoy a stronger drink.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this fragrant blend of rosemary and bourbon
Rosemary Old Fashioned
Bourbon, Aromatic bitters, Rosemary, Sugar
Discover this deep fusion of bourbon and bitters.
Shade Thrower
Bourbon, Amaro, Aperol, Red vermouth, Aromatic bitters
Try this caffeinated twist on a classic cocktail
Coffee Old Fashioned
Bourbon, Aromatic bitters, Coffee, Maple syrup
Experience this warm hazelnut and bourbon delight.
Hazelnut Hot Toddy
Bourbon, Frangelico, Sugar, Vanilla essence, Cinnamon, Cloves
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments