Death in the Afternoon

A Hemingway original pairing a dash of absinthe with chilled champagne for a herbal, potent fizz.

Death in the Afternoon cocktail made with champagne, served in a champagne flute
Base
champagne
Glassware
Champagne flute
Flavor Profile
strongherbal

Ingredients

  • 1 oz absinthe
  • 4-5 oz champagne

Instructions

  1. 1Pour absinthe into a champagne flute.
  2. 2Slowly top with well-chilled champagne.
  3. 3Serve immediately without stirring.

Origin & Story

Paris, 1935

Ernest Hemingway is credited with contributing this absinthe-and-champagne recipe to a celebrity cocktail book, naming it after his own bullfighting book and reportedly favoring it despite its potency.