A classic French 75 combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne for a strong and refreshing cocktail. It's perfect for celebrations or fancy brunches. This post is intended for an audience aged 21 and over.
I love classic cocktails, and the French 75 is certainly one of them. First developed over the 1920s, this drink quickly became a staple in bars for its elegance and strength. Today, it remains a beloved cocktail that strikes the perfect balance between strength and refinement.
I enjoy serving it at weekend brunch whenever I have guests in town. If you love champagne-based cocktails, be sure to try my watermelon mimosa as well!
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
- Gin –quality London-style gin, I usually use Bombay.
- Champagne – dry sparkling wine (Champagne, Prosecco, or any brut sparkling wine)
- Fresh lemon juice – I strongly suggest fresh lemon juice if you have it, but if not, the lemon juice in a jar will work.
- Simple syrup – equal parts sugar and water, dissolved
- Ice – for shaking
- Lemon twist – for garnish
Bar Tools You’ll Need
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Champagne flute or coupe glass
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Peeler (for lemon twist)
How to Make a French 75
Step 1: Chill your glass. Place a champagne flute in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice water (then discard the water before serving).
Step 2: Mix the base ingredients. Combine gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
Step 3: Shake well and pour. Add ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until well-chilled. Then, pour the mixture into your chilled flute.
Step 4: Add the bubbles. Top with sparkling wine.
Step 5: Garnish and serve. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.
Tanya's Top Tips
These tips will help you craft a truly spectacular French 75:
- Quality Matters: Use fresh-squeezed lemon juice and high-quality gin. Since this cocktail has only a few ingredients, each one plays a crucial role.
- Temperature Control: Chill both your glass and champagne. A room-temperature French 75 loses its magic quickly.
- Batch-Friendly: Serving a crowd? Pre-mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup ahead of time. When ready to serve, pour the mixture into glasses and top each with champagne.
- Perfect Garnish: To create a flawless lemon twist, use a vegetable peeler or channel knife to remove a thin strip of lemon peel, avoiding the bitter white pith.
Flavor Variations
The classic recipe is perfection, but here are a few fun variations to try:
- Cognac Twist – Swap gin for cognac for a richer, more traditional version (some argue this was the original recipe).
- Berry Bliss – Add a splash of raspberry or blackberry liqueur for a fruity variation.
- Herbal Notes – Infuse your simple syrup with thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist.
- Bourbon twist - Make a Bourbon French 75 by swapping gin for bourbon.
I hope you love this classic French 75 as much as I do! It’s one of those timeless cocktails that manages to be both refreshing and complex, perfect for sipping slowly and savoring each bubbly moment.
If you are looking for more gin cocktail recipes, try these out:
If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
French 75
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dry gin
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup equal parts sugar and water, dissolved
- 3 ounces Champagne or any sparkling wine
- Ice for the cocktail shaker
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a champagne flute by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes or filling it with ice water (then discard the water before serving).
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake well until chilled (about 10 seconds).
- Strain the mixture into the chilled champagne flute. Top with the Champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can use a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Just be sure to shake it vigorously to combine the ingredients well.
- If you don't have a champagne flute, you can also serve this classic cocktail in a coupe.
Leave a Reply