Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Cucumber Vodka Square One preferred
- 1/4 oz Orange Liqueur
- 3/4 oz Cucumber Juice
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
- 1/4 oz Agave Nectar
- Brut Champagne or any sparkling wine, chilled, to top
Instructions
Shake the Ingredients:
- In a large shaker, add 1 1/2 oz cucumber vodka, 1/4 oz Cointreau, 3/4 oz fresh cucumber juice, 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 oz agave nectar. Add ice and shake until well-chilled.
Double-Strain:
- Double-strain the mixture into two Champagne flutes, ensuring a smooth, seed-free drink.
Top with Champagne:
- Top each flute with chilled Brut Champagne. Keep the rest of the bottle nearby in an ice bucket for easy topping as you sip.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Enjoy the fresh, bubbly flavors of this delightful cocktail, perfect for sharing. Top off with more Champagne as desired!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No one's quite sure who mixed up the first Maxwell Cocktail. The trail goes cold around the early 2000s, a period when fresh juices and flavored vodkas were starting to really hit their stride in the cocktail scene. It feels like a drink born in a sleek, modern lounge rather than a dusty speakeasy.
It's a modern take on a sparkling vodka sour, leaning heavily into its cucumber notes to stand apart. Think of it as a distant, more refined cousin to a basic vodka soda, but with actual flavor and intention. The Champagne topper gives it that celebratory lift, distinguishing it from simpler shaken drinks.
This is your go-to for a brunch that might stretch into the afternoon, or a pre-dinner drink that isn't going to knock you on your ass. It's also a solid choice for when you're making drinks for a crowd and want something universally appealing but still a little fancy. Order it when you want something light, refreshing, and genuinely tasty.
What it tastes like
The first hit is pure garden fresh, with the cucumber vodka and fresh juice dominating, backed by a sharp, clean lemon zing. The orange liqueur adds just enough brightness to keep it from tasting too 'green,' and the agave smooths out the edges. Then the Champagne kicks in, lifting everything with a dry, bubbly finish. It's a surprisingly complex drink for how easy it goes down.
At roughly 7% alcohol by volume per flute, the Maxwell Cocktail sits somewhere around a strong craft beer or a hard seltzer. It's built for session sipping rather than a quick knockout. You can enjoy a couple of these without feeling like you've just wrestled a bear.
The technique
Building the Maxwell is a straightforward shake and strain. Get all your liquid ingredients, except the Champagne, into a shaker with a good amount of ice. Give it a solid, energetic shake until the shaker is frosty cold. Double-strain into chilled Champagne flutes to keep any cucumber pulp or ice shards out of your drink, then top with cold Brut Champagne. No need for a garnish unless you're feeling extra.
The real move here is to double-strain. Cucumber juice can be a bit pulpy, and you want that smooth, clean texture in a flute. Nobody wants to chew their bubbles. Also, make sure your Champagne is properly chilled. Warm fizz is a crime.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Cucumber Vodka
- Use
- Square One, or any other quality cucumber-infused vodka. Prioritize actual cucumber flavor over artificial essence.
- Skip
- Plain vodka with a cucumber slice. It's not the same. Avoid anything that smells like a spa product.
- Why
- It's the backbone. The drink's identity hinges on that clean, vegetal cucumber note. Without it, you're just making a generic sparkling sour.
Brut Champagne
- Use
- Brut Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco. Something dry and crisp.
- Skip
- Anything sweet or extra dry. Don't use a dessert sparkling wine here, it'll throw off the balance.
- Why
- The dry bubbles cut through the sweetness and add a lively texture. It's the party hat on this drink, giving it lift and effervescence without adding cloying sugar.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Spicy Maxwell
- A little kick to your cool.
- Muddle a thin slice of jalapeño in the shaker before adding other ingredients, or add a dash of a good quality spicy tincture.
Gin Garden
- When vodka feels too neutral.
- Swap the cucumber vodka for a clean, floral gin. It'll add a botanical layer that plays well with the cucumber and lemon.
Elderflower Fizz
- A softer, more floral twist.
- Replace the agave nectar with 1/4 oz elderflower liqueur. It adds a gentle sweetness and a fragrant, spring-like aroma.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use a good quality regular vodka and increase the fresh cucumber juice slightly, or muddle a few cucumber slices in the shaker.
A splash of orange juice can give a similar citrus brightener, but you'll lose some of the depth. Or a dash of orange bitters.
Simple syrup works just fine. Honey syrup (1:1 honey to water) is another good option if you like the flavor.
Any tall, elegant glass will do. A wine glass or even a highball will work in a pinch, just don't overfill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Maxwell Cocktail?
A Maxwell Cocktail contains cucumber vodka, orange liqueur, fresh cucumber juice, fresh lemon juice, agave nectar, and is topped with Brut Champagne or sparkling wine.
Is the Maxwell Cocktail sweet?
It's balanced. The agave and orange liqueur provide some sweetness, but the fresh lemon and dry Champagne keep it from being cloying. It's refreshing, not syrupy.
What's the best way to get fresh cucumber juice?
A juicer is ideal. If you don't have one, blend peeled cucumber chunks with a tiny bit of water and then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
Can I make a batch of Maxwell Cocktails?
You can pre-mix the vodka, liqueurs, juices, and agave ahead of time. Keep it chilled, then shake with ice and top with Champagne just before serving.
What kind of sparkling wine should I use?
Brut Champagne is the classic choice. Cava or Prosecco are good, more budget-friendly alternatives, just make sure they're dry (Brut or Extra Dry).
Do I need to garnish this drink?
Not really. It's pretty enough on its own. If you insist, a thin cucumber ribbon or a lemon twist can look nice, but it's purely for show.
Is this a strong drink?
No, it's a relatively light drink, usually around 7% ABV per flute. It's designed for leisurely sipping, not for getting hammered quickly.
Why double-strain?
Double-straining ensures you get a perfectly smooth, clear drink without any bits of cucumber pulp or tiny ice shards. It makes for a much nicer mouthfeel, especially in a delicate flute.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family.
