Toast The New Year With These Champagne Popping Hacks

There’s no better way of reigning in a celebration than with a bottle of champagne, but many fear that flying corks and shattered glass can pose a risk to your safety.

Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online, which supplies a range of bar equipment, has shared four hacks to help you safely open a bottle of champagne, using tried and trusted methods.

“A bottle of fizz is the ultimate way to kick start a celebration. However, spillages and the potential for injuries are high if the bottle is not opened properly. Here are five ways you can ensure that you open the bottle without causing any accidents.”

1. Towel twist

“Start by wrapping a towel around the neck of the champagne bottle, ensuring the cork is covered. Firmly grip the bottle with one hand, and with the other hand, hold the cork through the towel. Gently twist the bottle (ensuring that you are not twisting the cork instead) while applying slight upward pressure on the cork. The pressure combined with the twisting motion should gradually ease the cork out with a gentle pop.”

2. Using a teaspoon

“To make sure you’re being as safe as possible, hold the bottle securely and point it away from yourself and others. Take a spoon and slide its handle under the lip of the cork, ensuring the spoon’s bowl is facing upward. Apply upward pressure to the spoon handle, leveraging the cork out slowly and carefully. This method helps control the cork’s release slowly so you can minimise any eye-related dangers. any people also claim that putting a teaspoon handle-down inside the bottle during refrigeration keeps the champagne fresher for longer.

3. Champagne key shortcut

“Use a champagne key (or also known as a waiter’s corkscrew) as it’s specifically designed for opening sparkling wine bottles. Insert the longer spiral screw into the cork at a slight angle and slowly twist the key, allowing the cork to release gradually to ensure a minimal amount of gas bubbles forming.”

4. Cold water plunge!

“Chill the champagne bottle in an ice bucket or in the fridge. Once it's cold, take the bottle out and dip the neck in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes - almost like a cold water plunge! The contraction caused by the cold temperature can help loosen the cork slightly, making it easier to open. A benefit of this method is that you can ensure that your champagne is freshly cold upon serving.”

Alliance Online have released these hacks to help Brits safely open a bottle of champagne during celebratory periods.