Ingredients
- 2 oz Viniq Ruby
- 3 oz Champagne
- 1 dash Lime Juice
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- Pour 2 oz Viniq Ruby, 3 oz champagne, and a dash of lime juice into a champagne flute.
Serve:
- Serve chilled and enjoy your A-List Ruby Cocktail.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The A-List Ruby Cocktail is a contemporary creation, emerging after the introduction of Viniq Ruby in the mid-2010s. It’s a drink designed for visual appeal and a celebratory vibe, often found at parties or events where a touch of sparkle is desired. Its ‘A-List’ moniker suggests a certain aspirational, glamorous setting.
This drink sits squarely in the champagne cocktail family, much like a Kir Royale or a Bellini. However, instead of fruit puree or a standard liqueur, it uses Viniq for its unique shimmer and specific sweet, berry profile. It’s less about a complex flavor build and more about the visual spectacle and accessible sweetness.
You’d likely find this cocktail at a bachelorette party, a trendy lounge, or any gathering where the host wants something easy to make that catches the eye. It’s a party drink, not a quiet contemplation sipper.
What it tastes like
The A-List Ruby Cocktail leads with the sweet, berry-forward notes of Viniq Ruby, which has a distinct grape and fruit liqueur character. This sweetness is quickly met by the dry, crisp effervescence of the champagne, cutting through the initial sugar. The dash of lime juice provides a subtle tart counterpoint, brightening the finish and preventing it from becoming cloying. The overall profile is sweet, bubbly, and fruity with a refreshing tart edge.
At around 15% ABV, this drink is moderately strong for a cocktail. It packs more punch than your average beer, which typically sits around 5% ABV, but it’s on the lighter side compared to spirit-forward cocktails that can reach 20-25% ABV or higher. It’s a pleasant sipper that can catch up to you if you’re not paying attention.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. Start by pouring the Viniq Ruby into a chilled champagne flute. Follow with the dash of fresh lime juice. Finally, slowly top with the cold champagne, allowing the bubbles to mix the ingredients gently. No stirring or shaking is needed; the effervescence does the work.
The most important technique for any champagne cocktail is to ensure all your ingredients are thoroughly chilled. Warm champagne will lose its carbonation quickly when mixed, resulting in a flat, lifeless drink. Keep your Viniq and champagne in the fridge until you’re ready to pour to maintain maximum fizz and a crisp taste.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Viniq Ruby
- Use
- Viniq Ruby. This specific shimmery liqueur is the star. It’s a blend of premium vodka, Moscato, and natural fruit flavors, typically 20% ABV.
- Skip
- Just any red liqueur. While you could get the color, you’d miss the signature shimmer and the specific sweet, fruity profile of Viniq. Edible glitter alone won’t replicate the base flavor.
- Why
- Viniq Ruby provides the drink’s vibrant color, the characteristic shimmer, and the dominant sweet, berry-like flavor. Without it, you’re making a different drink entirely.
Champagne
- Use
- A dry Brut Champagne or a quality dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava. Look for something crisp that won’t add too much sweetness. Around 11-12% ABV is typical.
- Skip
- Sweet dessert wines or flat sparkling wine. The balance relies on the dryness and effervescence. Cheap, overly sweet options will make the drink cloying.
- Why
- The champagne provides the essential effervescence, a crisp counterpoint to the Viniq’s sweetness, and dilutes the liqueur to a pleasant drinking strength. Its bubbles are key to the drink’s appeal.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
A-List Glow
- A different shimmer.
- Swap Viniq Ruby for Viniq Glow or Viniq Original for a different color and flavor profile, maintaining the signature shimmer.
Ruby Spritzer
- Lighter and longer.
- For a less boozy and more refreshing option, use half the Viniq and top with soda water after the champagne, serving over ice in a wine glass.
Berry Royale
- A fruitier twist.
- Add 0.5 oz of a raspberry or strawberry liqueur before the Viniq and champagne for an extra layer of berry flavor.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a berry-flavored liqueur like Chambord or Crème de Cassis, then add a tiny pinch of food-grade edible glitter for the shimmer. The flavor will be different, but you’ll get the color and sparkle.
A dry Prosecco or Cava works well. They offer similar effervescence and dryness, though with slightly different flavor notes.
A dash of fresh lemon juice can provide a similar tart brightness, though it might be slightly sharper.
A wine glass or a coupe glass will work. While they might not show off the bubbles as effectively, they’ll hold the drink just fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a A-List Ruby Cocktail?
The A-List Ruby Cocktail contains Viniq Ruby, champagne, and a dash of lime juice.
How do you make an A-List Ruby Cocktail?
Pour Viniq Ruby and lime juice into a chilled champagne flute, then slowly top with champagne. Serve immediately.
What does Viniq Ruby taste like?
Viniq Ruby is sweet and fruity, often described as having berry and grape notes, with a distinct shimmer from its edible glitter content.
What kind of champagne should I use?
A dry Brut Champagne or a dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava is best to balance the sweetness of the Viniq Ruby.
Is the A-List Ruby Cocktail very sweet?
Yes, it tends to be on the sweeter side due to the Viniq Ruby, though the dry champagne and lime juice help to cut through some of that sweetness.
How strong is an A-List Ruby Cocktail?
It’s a moderately strong cocktail, typically around 15% ABV, which is stronger than beer but lighter than many spirit-forward drinks.
What makes the A-List Ruby Cocktail shimmer?
The shimmer comes from food-grade edible glitter suspended within the Viniq Ruby liqueur.
When is the best time to serve an A-List Ruby Cocktail?
This cocktail is perfect for celebrations, parties, or any occasion where you want a visually striking and fun drink.
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