Black Velvet

How to Make Black Velvet

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1. Use a sparkling wine and a stout that have been kept in the fridge, so that both are very cold.

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2. Pour the sparkling wine into a tall glass or a pint glass until it is half full.

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3. Hold a bar spoon upside down just above the wine with its tip touching the inside of the glass.

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4. Pour the stout slowly over the back of the spoon so that it floats on top of the wine and forms a black layer with a creamy head.

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5. Serve at once, and stir or drink through the layers as you like.

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Tips for Making Black Velvet

• Use a dry sparkling wine such as brut cava or prosecco. A sweet one turns the drink cloying, and the stout is already sweet and malty.
• Pour slowly over the back of a spoon. Pouring in a stream mixes the two and the layers are lost, and it also makes the drink foam over.
• Serve very cold. The drink depends on cold wine and cold stout, and both taste flat and heavy at room temperature.

What to Serve with Black Velvet

• Oysters
• Smoked salmon on brown bread
• Christmas canapés

Storing & Reheating Black Velvet

Best made and drunk at once. It goes flat within minutes.

Black Velvet FAQ: Common Questions

Black Velvet Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.