Virgin Champagne

Let the kids toast too. This virgin ‘champagne’ gives little ones, and anyone skipping alcohol, a festive, fizzy drink for celebrations, made from just two ingredients.

The combination is simple but smart: thawed white grape juice concentrate stirred into club soda or seltzer. The concentrate brings sweet, grapey flavor without watering things down, while the bubbles give it that celebratory champagne sparkle.

White grape juice is the key choice; its pale golden color makes the drink look convincingly like the real thing in a flute, so it feels special rather than like plain soda.

Chill it well and serve it cold and fizzy, the moment it’s poured. Like real sparkling wine, the bubbles fade as it sits, so mix it close to serving and pour into champagne glasses for the full effect.

Pro Tips

• Use white grape juice concentrate for that pale, champagne-like color in the glass.
• Chill both the soda and the concentrate first so the drink is cold and stays fizzy longer.
• Stir gently to keep the bubbles, and serve right after mixing.
• Pour into champagne flutes to make it feel like the real celebration.

Variations

• Add a splash of sparkling apple cider or white cranberry juice for a different flavor.
• Drop in a few frozen grapes or berries to keep it cold without diluting.
• Rim the glasses with sugar for an extra-festive touch.