This recipe is inspired by the Honey Champagne Vinaigrette from The Mixx, one of my favorite local restaurants in Kansas City. It’s often served over their Garden of Eden salad, which features field greens, chopped apples, candied pecans, and gorgonzola cheese. The combination will make you want to lick your plate clean!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This dressing recipe is simple to prepare and flexible enough that you can use practically any ingredients in your pantry. I tend to keep my homemade salad dressings on the lower-oil side of things, so I also like to add a splash of water to help dilute the vinegar flavor even more. As a result, the dressing will be a little more runny in texture, and you’ll need to stir or shake it well each time you’re ready to use it. But it also won’t thicken in the fridge as much as a traditional oil-based dressing.
How to Make Champagne Vinaigrette
- Gather the ingredients. As you measure the ingredients, you can add them to a blender or directly into a bowl or mason jar. If you plan on stirring this together, be sure to mince the shallot and garlic finely. You can skip the chopping part if you plan on letting the blender do the work for you.
- Mix. Secure the lid on your blender, and blend until the dressing looks very smooth. Alternatively, you can use a whisk to vigorously stir the ingredients together or secure the lid on your mason jar and shake well. Adjust any flavoring to taste, adding more honey if you’d like a sweeter flavor or a little more salt or vinegar if you prefer a more tangy flavor.
- Enjoy! This dressing is ready to serve right away over your favorite salad ingredients. Or, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Be sure to shake the dressing well each time you use it again, as separation is normal. Try serving this dressing over spicy arugula, baby spinach, or chopped romaine lettuce. I can’t think of a salad ingredient this wouldn’t be delicious with! Note: When you use extra virgin olive oil in a homemade salad dressing, it can thicken when chilled in the fridge. This is totally normal! Let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes before serving, or hold the sealed jar under warm running tap water for a few minutes to help it thin out again. Looking for more salad dressing recipes? Try Honey Balsamic Dressing, Apple Cider Vinaigrette, or Italian Dressing for more ideas. Update Note: I recently modified this recipe in May 2022 to make it more like the Honey Champagne Vinaigrette served at The Mixx and Caffetteria restaurants here in Kansas City. If you prefer the sugar-free version, you can find the measurements below:
1/4 cup champagne vinegar 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped shallot 1 minced garlic clove 1 teaspoon dried tarragon (or 1 T freshly chopped) 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
I’d love to hear which version you prefer! If you try this Champagne Vinaigrette, please leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it!
