The French 75 is a classic cocktail that has been around for centuries. The modern version of this bubbly cocktail is typically made with gin, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup, making it a refreshing but strong drink.
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THE DECEIVING, LEMONY COCKTAIL
Light and elegant, the French 75 may look like a weak cocktail from the outside, but don’t let the looks fool you. After all, the cocktail is named after the French 75mm field gun that was used during World War I. So this lovely drink definitely packs a punch!
Combining citrus flavor with botanical notes, this flavorful drink makes a wonderful champagne punch for celebratory occasions– You can increase the recipe and serve it in a punch bowl all year round.
It is a drier drink than most, especially if you use a brut champagne or Prosecco instead of something sweeter; you can choose your favorite wine according to your tastes, but just remember that the bottle of bubbly used is going to impact the overall flavor profile and mouthfeel.
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THE FRENCH 75 COCKTAIL HISTORY
The origin of this gin cocktail can be traced back to the 19th century; it was actually an adaptation of an older cocktail known as the Champagne Cup, made of champagne, sugar and lemon juice. Just add gin, and you now have the modern day French 75.
In fact that’s exactly what Charles Dickens was said to have served when he was entertaining guests back in 1867. Once again: It’s an old, old drink.
Many older recipes also make this drink with Cognac (more on variations below), but today we’ll be making a traditional French 75 with gin, probably the most popular version. But you do have your choice in base spirit!
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FRENCH 75 INGREDIENTS
This classic gin drink falls into the umbrella of the sour cocktail family because of the use of acid. The traditional formula for a sour is 2 parts base spirit, 1 part acid, and 1 part sweetener. More specifically, the French 75 is a fizz cocktail, adding a carbonated element; this means we won’t be using the 2-1-1 formula so that the champagne can really shine and so we can still have a balanced cocktail.
To create a delicious French 75, you’ll need a few key ingredients:
- Gin: You only need 1.5 ounce gin for this recipe because of the additional 2 ounces champagne– It’s boozy enough as is. Opt for a high-quality London Dry gin that offers a balanced blend of botanical flavors.
- Lemon Juice: Only 3/4 ounce lemon juice adds a bright and tangy element to the cocktail.
- Simple Syrup: A mixture of equal parts sugar and water, just 1/2 ounce simple syrup provides a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the lemon juice.
- Champagne, Sparkling Wine, or Prosecco: We recommend choosing a crisp, dry champagne or sparkling white wine to bring the signature effervescence to your French 75.
- Lemon Twist: For garnish, finish your cocktail with a gorgeous ribbon peel of lemon or a simple lemon peel for an elegant final touch.
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HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH 75
The French 75 is typically served as an aperitif or pre-dinner drink. It is also a popular choice for brunch cocktails and makes a great alternative to a celebratory glass of plain champagne. It’s pretty easy to make, with the greatest prep time devoted to make the simple syrup.
(Pro tip: Make extra syrup ahead of time and store it in your fridge for up to 2 weeks– That way, you’ll have it any time you’re making drinks. “Simply” boil 1 cup water and combine with 1 cup granulated sugar until the sugar dissolves completely.)
As for glassware, we used a cocktail coupe glass, but a classic choice is the champagne flute– You choose!
FRENCH 75 VARIATIONS
While the classic French 75 is nearly a perfect cocktail recipe by itself, there are variations you can explore to put your own spin on it. By following the same formula of base spirit, sweetener, acid, and carbonated element, you can really get creative and make this cocktail your own. Here are some ideas to try:
- French 95: Replace the gin with cognac for a richer and more decadent version of the cocktail.
- French 76: Swap the gin for vodka, offering a smoother and more neutral base for the sparkling elements.
- French 125: Substitute rum for the gin, creating a tropical twist on the French 75 with a hint of rum’s distinct character.
- Chartreuse float: We recently indulged in this delicious cocktail at home and added a bar spoon of Chartreuse Vegetable to this classic drink, adding an earthy quality that the original version lacks.
- Seasonal Variations: Experiment with adding a splash of fruit juice, such as cranberry, pomegranate, or peach, to create a French 75 that celebrates the flavors of different seasons.
- Mezcal Version: Switch out the gin– or do a split base spirit– for a smokiness that plays with the acid and sweet taste of this drink. Instead of mezcal, you could also try raicilla, another agave spirit.
- Honey Syrup: A somewhat modified version of the Bee’s Knees, swapping out traditional sugar syrup for a honey syrup brings a floral element that plays with the champagne is a really fun way.
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Get the drink recipe for this classic champagne cocktail below, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Equipment
- 1 Channel Knife for ribbon garnish, optional
- 1 Citrus Peeler for small peel garnish, optional
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounce Gin
- 0.75 ounce Lemon Juice
- 0.5 ounce Simple Syrup
- 2 ounce Champagne to top
Instructions
- Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, and shake to chill and dilute.
- Fine strain into a chilled champagne flute glass or coupe glass.
- Top with sparkling wine/champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
