SWAP YOUR SPARKLE

SO YOU’VE GOT the lowdown on the different types of fizz, and you’re now an expert on the key ingredient of your cocktails. But what if you can’t get ahold of the right bottle of bubbly? Can you swap for Cava if your local supermarket is out of Prosecco? What do you do if your favorite recipe calls for Champagne, but you’re planning a big party on a budget or you don’t want to open that expensive vintage bottle? Luckily, there’s usually room for a bit of fizz flexibility.

I’M NOT on a CHAMPAGNE BUDGET

In a pinch, English sparkling, California sparkling, and Cava are all good Champagne swaps. They are made using the same method, and English sparkling and California sparkling even use the same grapes. The Cava grapes are slightly sweeter, but it is still a good swap. English sparkling comes from very similar soils to the Champagne region, so it would be the best choice of the three.

The PROSECCO AISLE is EMPTY!

If you don’t have a bottle of Prosecco on hand, Lambrusco makes a surprisingly good alternative. This fizz is growing in popularity every year, so you will likely see it more and more on the shelf. Like Prosecco, it has slightly larger, less refined bubbles than Champagne. It also shares similarities with Prosecco in terms of acidity and fruitiness.

DOES it REALLY MATTER in a COCKTAIL?

This completely depends on the drink and your personal tastes. Most cocktails are traditionally made with a specific fizz, but that doesn’t mean it will taste awful with something else. If you can’t find a good swap listed here, why not experiment? A few exceptions, such as the Champagne Cocktail, really should be served with their traditional bubbly.