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The black velvet is a cocktail made from Guinness Stout and a white, sparkling wine, traditionally Champagne.
A black velvet is made by filling a tall flute glass halfway full of chilled Guinness, and floating the sparkling wine on top of the Guinness; the differing densities of the liquids causes them to remain in separate layers.
In place of Champagne, apple hard cider or perry is sometimes used, in which case the Guinness is floated on top of the cider or perry. This cocktail is known as a Poor man's black velvet.
Whatever the top layer is, the effect is best achieved if it is poured over a spoon turned upside down over the top of the glass, so it runs down the sides rather than mixing.
A similar effect is achieved by mixing Guinness and a light-colored beer in the black and tan cocktail.
According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, the Black Velvet was the favorite drink of Otto von Bismarck.
Black velvet is also velvet that is colored black. Black velvet is frequently used as a medium for paintings. It is the traditional vehicle for painted portraits of Elvis Presley, and for many other subjects meant to be seen under the light of a black light bulb.
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