Cocktails are perfect summer drinks, as they’re fun, allow for a variety of combinations, and taste great. If you fancy something mild with a hint of exotics, the Flirtini cocktail is something you must try.
This bubbly cocktail features champagne and vodka, but what gives it a tropical flavor are pineapple and orange liquors (Triple Sec or Cointreau). As its alcoholic content is low, this sparkling martini is a drink you can have all day.
What You Need for Flirtini Cocktail
To make this champagne cocktail, you need the following ingredients:
- Fresh pineapple (2 slices)
- Pineapple juice (1 fl oz/30 ml)
- Vodka (1 fl oz/30 ml)
- Triple Sec or Cointreau (½ fl oz/15 ml)
- Champagne (1 fl oz/30 ml)
- Maraschino cherry
How to Make
You need to follow these steps to prepare this perfect cocktail:
- Grab a mixing glass and add pineapple slices and Triple Sec.
- Muddle everything well.
- Pour in vodka and pineapple juice and mix well. Put the strainer on a mixing glass and strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
- Add champagne to top up.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information (per 1 serving)
Like most cocktails, Flirtini is high in calories. You can cut them a bit if you use champagne instead of wine.
- Calories: 183
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Sugar: 14g
- Protein: 0g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated fat: 0g
- Vitamin C: 34mg
- Calcium: 16mg
- Potassium: 126 mg
* Nutritional information is just an estimate based on a third-party calculator. The numbers can vary depending on portion size, ingredients ratio, and brands used.
Alcohol Content
Both vodka and Cointreau are 80-proof liqueurs, but since champagne has less alcohol and dilutes this cocktail, Flirtini hops in a range of mild cocktails. But with 17% ABV, you still should drink it with caution.
Substitutions and Recipe Variation
If you or some of your guests don’t like the taste of pineapple, you can make a pitcher of Pink Flirtini. Half of the pineapple juice amount is replaced with cranberry juice, and instead of pineapple slices, you have to muddle raspberries with Cointreau.
To enhance this recipe, you can replace plain vodka with the raspberry-infused one or add a few drops of raspberry simple syrup before muddling.
If champagne is out of your budget, you can still make excellent Flirtini recipes with quality sparkling wine. And if you don’t have a cherry for garnish, you can use fresh berries.
Tips for the Best Flirtini
Flirtini is a martini with bubbles in it, so to keep them, seasoned mixologists advise pouring in champagne right before serving. And when you already opened a bottle, use it to make two to three servings.
Plain vodka does an excellent job in cocktails due to its neutral taste, but if you want to level up your Flirtini, try to find a pineapple or vanilla vodka. These add up to the sweet taste of your drink, keeping it in balance with alcohol content.
If you make this bubbly cocktail in a cocktail shaker, add some crushed ice after muddling fresh pineapple with Triple Sec, and then shake everything well. That’ll boost your cocktail with flavors.
Food Pairing Ideas
This champagne cocktail goes well with light dishes like a shrimp cocktail and sushi or a plate of premium cheese. If you’re more on the sweet side, pair Flirtini with fruit cakes and tarts. Grapes, strawberries, or citruses are a nice choice for those with no sweet tooth.
Wrap Up
If a regular martini is too much for you, Flirtini will soon become your number one summer drink. It’s tasty and easy to make, and you can try different variations depending on your taste. Following recipe instructions is a breeze, so you can have your Flirtini in just a few minutes.
