French 75
- Glass
- Flute
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~15%
Ingredients
- 1½ ozgin45 ml
- ¾ ozfresh lemon juice22 ml
- ½ ozsimple syrup15 ml
- 2 ozchampagne or dry sparkling wine60 ml
Instructions
Combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 10 seconds — you want the base well-chilled and diluted before the bubbles go in. Strain into a chilled flute. Top slowly with cold champagne or a quality dry sparkling wine, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles. Garnish with a long, elegant lemon twist — express the oils over the surface first, then drape it over the rim.
Sips & Tips
Technique
Shake the base hard before adding the champagne — you want the gin, lemon, and syrup fully integrated and cold. Pour the champagne slowly down the side of the flute to minimize bubble loss. The drink should be lively and effervescent, not flat.
Balance
Use a dry, quality sparkling wine — Champagne is traditional, but a good Crémant d'Alsace or Cava works beautifully at a fraction of the price. The gin should be a bold London Dry; a floral gin can get lost under the bubbles. Keep the syrup restrained — the champagne adds its own sweetness.
History
The French 75 was named after the French 75mm field gun used in World War I — the drink was said to hit with the same kick. It was first documented at Harry's New York Bar in Paris in the 1920s and became a staple of the Jazz Age cocktail scene. Some versions use cognac instead of gin, which is equally delicious.
The French 75 is the cocktail for every celebration — elegant, effervescent, and genuinely delicious. It's also one of the most crowd-pleasing drinks you can make. Cheers.
Variations
Cognac French 75
Replace the gin with 1½ oz of cognac. This is actually the older version of the drink — the cognac adds richness and dried fruit notes that make it feel more luxurious. Use a VS or VSOP cognac and a quality Champagne.
St-Germain French 75
Add ½ oz of St-Germain elderflower liqueur and reduce the simple syrup to ¼ oz. The elderflower adds a beautiful floral note that bridges the gin and the champagne. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon instead of lemon.
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French 75
Glass: Flute | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~15%
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2 oz champagne or dry sparkling wine
Instructions
Combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 10 seconds — you want the base well-chilled and diluted before the bubbles go in. Strain into a chilled flute. Top slowly with cold champagne or a quality dry sparkling wine, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles. Garnish with a long, elegant lemon twist — express the oils over the surface first, then drape it over the rim.