Black velvet (cocktail)

Black Velvet is a cocktail that is traditionally made by mixing equal parts of stout (often Guinness) and champagne. The drink was first created in the late 19th century at Brooks's Club in London, England.

History

The Black Velvet cocktail was first created in 1861, following the death of Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria. The story goes that a steward at the Brooks's Club in London decided to create a drink that symbolised the nation's period of mourning. He achieved this by mixing dark stout with champagne, which resulted in a drink that was black, like the black armbands worn by mourners.

Preparation

To prepare a Black Velvet, fill a champagne flute halfway with chilled stout. Then, gently pour chilled champagne on top of the stout, filling the glass. The champagne is added slowly so that it floats on top of the stout, creating a layered effect. Some variations of the cocktail involve the use of a spoon to ensure that the two liquids remain separate.

Variations

There are several variations of the Black Velvet cocktail. One such variation is the Poor Man's Black Velvet, which substitutes the champagne for cider. Another variation is the Black Velvet Band, which adds a shot of blackcurrant cordial to the mix.

Cultural references

The Black Velvet cocktail has been referenced in various forms of media. It is the subject of a song by The Chieftains, and it also appears in the novel The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.

See also

• List of cocktails
• Beer cocktail
• Champagne cocktail