Instructions
Shake:
- Combine Viniq and vodka in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well.
Strain:
- Strain the mixture into a tall flute.
Add Champagne:
- Top off with champagne.
Garnish:
- Garnish with a long orange twist for a touch of elegance.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This specific combination of Viniq, vodka, and champagne doesn’t appear in classic cocktail tomes. It’s a modern creation, likely emerging in the 2010s when Viniq was introduced, designed to showcase the liqueur’s shimmering effect. It’s not a drink with a storied past or a specific inventor, but rather a contemporary, product-driven concoction.
It sits loosely in the “sparkling cocktail” family, alongside drinks like the French 75 or a Bellini. Unlike those, which often rely on fresh citrus or fruit purees for balance, The Jewel leans heavily into the sweetness and visual novelty of Viniq. It’s less about craft, more about immediate impact.
You’d typically find The Jewel at a high-energy lounge, a club with bottle service, or maybe a bachelorette brunch. It’s not a quiet, contemplative bar drink. It’s meant for a crowd, for Instagram moments, and for when the goal is a shimmering, fun beverage without a complex flavor profile.
What it tastes like
The Jewel hits you first with a wave of sweet, often grape or fruit-forward sugar from the Viniq, sometimes with a slight artificial undertone depending on the Viniq flavor. The vodka provides a clean, neutral alcohol backbone without adding much flavor. As the champagne comes through, it adds a pleasant effervescence and a dry counterpoint that cuts through some of the initial sweetness, finishing with a light, fizzy sweetness that lingers.
With 1 oz of 80-proof vodka, 2 oz of 20% ABV Viniq, and 2 oz of 12% ABV champagne, this drink clocks in around 20% ABV before dilution. That puts it significantly stronger than your average beer, which is typically 5%, but lighter than a standard spirit-forward cocktail like an Old Fashioned, which can be 30% or higher. It’s a gentle buzz disguised in a pretty package.
The technique
Building The Jewel is straightforward. Grab your shaker, fill it with ice, then add the Viniq and vodka. Give it a good, quick shake to chill and slightly dilute the spirits. Strain that mixture into a tall, chilled flute. The key is to then slowly top it off with the champagne. The goal is to preserve as much of that precious fizz as possible. Finally, add your orange twist for the garnish.
The most important technique here is how you combine the champagne. Always add sparkling wine after any shaken or stirred components, and pour it gently down the side of the glass. Dumping it in quickly or shaking it will knock out all the carbonation, leaving you with a flat, lifeless drink. The bubbles are half the point of a cocktail like this, so treat them with respect.
Drink Buddy Exclusive
Tell us what's in your cabinet.
Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.
Open the Builder →Get the Drink Buddy newsletter
One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.
Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Viniq Original
- Use
- Viniq Original is the specified product, known for its shimmering, glittery appearance and sweet, often grape-like flavor. Its visual appeal is central to The Jewel.
- Skip
- Don’t try to substitute with regular grape liqueur or a glitter-food-coloring concoction. The unique shimmer and specific flavor profile of Viniq are what define this drink’s character.
- Why
- Viniq is the defining ingredient here. It provides the signature shimmer, the primary sweetness, and the specific fruit notes that give The Jewel its distinct, party-ready identity.
Champagne
- Use
- A dry Brut Champagne works best to balance the sweetness of the Viniq. Prosecco or Cava are also acceptable, but ensure they are brut or extra dry for balance.
- Skip
- Avoid overly sweet sparkling wines like Asti Spumante or demi-sec options. They will make an already sweet drink cloying and throw off the intended balance.
- Why
- The champagne provides the necessary effervescence and a crisp, dry counterpoint to the Viniq’s sweetness. It brightens the drink and gives it that celebratory, sparkling finish.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Ruby Jewel
- A berry-toned sparkle.
- Swap Viniq Original for Viniq Ruby. This changes the primary fruit flavor to red berry and gives the drink a deeper, more vibrant red shimmer.
Green Jewel
- A tropical, melon twist.
- Use Midori melon liqueur instead of Viniq, combined with vodka and champagne. You lose the shimmer, but gain a bright green color and a distinct melon flavor.
Jewel Spritz
- Lighter, longer, less boozy.
- Reduce the Viniq and vodka to 0.75 oz each, and top with 1 oz champagne and 2 oz soda water for a less potent, more refreshing version.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try a shimmer liqueur like Shimmer Gold or a similar product, but expect a different flavor profile. Otherwise, a sweet grape liqueur combined with edible glitter can approximate the look, but not the specific Viniq taste.
Gin can work if you prefer a botanical edge, or white rum for a slightly sweeter, softer spirit. Both will alter the flavor significantly.
Any dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava will do the job. A brut style is always preferred to avoid excessive sweetness.
A wine glass or even a coupe will work in a pinch. Just make sure it’s chilled and can hold the volume comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a The Jewel?
The Jewel contains Viniq Original, vodka, and champagne, garnished with an orange twist.
Is The Jewel a sweet drink?
Yes, it leans towards the sweeter side due to the Viniq, though the dry champagne provides some balance.
What does Viniq taste like?
Viniq Original typically has a sweet, fruity, often grape or berry flavor, sometimes with notes of peach or citrus, alongside its signature shimmer.
Can I make The Jewel ahead of time?
You can pre-mix the Viniq and vodka, but always add the champagne just before serving to maintain its effervescence.
What kind of vodka should I use?
Any good quality, neutral vodka works well here. Since the Viniq and champagne provide most of the flavor, an expensive top-shelf vodka isn’t strictly necessary.
What’s the best way to garnish The Jewel?
A long, thin orange twist provides a nice aromatic contrast and a pop of color against the drink’s shimmer.
Is The Jewel a strong cocktail?
It’s moderately strong, more alcoholic than beer but generally less so than a spirit-forward classic cocktail. It’s designed for easy drinking.
Why does The Jewel sparkle?
The sparkle comes from the Viniq liqueur, which contains food-grade edible glitter that creates a mesmerizing, swirling effect.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family when the night calls for them.
