Nothing complements an oyster quite like a glass of chilled champagne. Well, unless it’s a glass of chilled champagne that also has bitters, gin or a not ungenerous quantity of absinthe in it.

In other words, a champagne cocktail. And you’re about to get five prime examples via this thirst-inducing slideshow, from the classic and aptly named... Champagne Cocktail to one of Hemingway’s favorites, the Death in the Afternoon.

Which is really a lot more friendly than it sounds.