You can’t go wrong with a simple and elegant French 75 champagne cocktail. The delicious combination of botanical gin, bubbly champagne, zesty lemon juice, and a splash of simple syrup is divine. It is the perfect cocktail to make when you need a reason to pop open a bottle of champagne – whether you’re commemorating graduation, a new job, a holiday gathering, or are ringing in the new year!
You can also serve this refreshing cocktail at brunch or for happy hour with your favorite snacks like olives and cheese or a full charcuterie board. It also makes a great aperitif or pre-dinner drink for your next dinner party. For more cocktail recipes, try my lemon drop martini, classic whiskey sour, or tequila sunrise.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Gin – a London or Irish dry gin, or distilled gin infused with botanicals, is the traditional choice for a delicious floral note in this cocktail recipe. Feel free to choose your favorite infusion, from cucumber to lavender to citrus, to add your own spin.
Lemon Juice – avoid store-bought and use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor! Release the juices in the lemon by making sure the fruit is at room temperature, then rolling it on the counter a few times before cutting it open and juicing.
Simple Syrup – just a splash is all you need! Buy pre-made simple syrup from the store or make your own on the stovetop (find instructions in the FAQ section).
Champagne – I recommend using a brut champagne for a crisp taste that’s not too sweet and has the perfect amount of bubbles. Be sure to chill the champagne before adding to the recipe!
How to Make French 75
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice.
2. Cover the shaker with the lid and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosty, 15 to 20 seconds.
3. Strain the liquid into a champagne flute.
4. Top off the glass with champagne and serve with a lemon twist.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- Make the lemon twist before juicing. It is much easier to make the lemon twist before you juice the inside of the lemon! Use a knife, vegetable peeler, or channel zester to cut the outer edge of the lemon peel away from the fruit. Try to get as little pith, or the bitter inner white part of the peel, with the zest as possible for the best flavor.
- Add ice to the shaker, never the glass. Only use ice when you shake the cocktail in the cocktail shaker (or use a mason jar with a lid). Then strain the chilled liquid into the glass. Pouring the French 75 ingredients over ice can dilute the gin and champagne, making it less bubbly and flavorful.
- Serve in a tall cocktail glass. A champagne flute is the best vessel to serve this French 75 recipe in. The slender frame allows the delicate bubbles room to breathe, making it delightfully fizzy. Alternatively, you can use any tall and slender cocktail glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
The original recipe for French 75s is said to have been first recorded in the famous Savoy Cocktail Book at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris during the First World War. As the story goes, the name was inspired by the French army’s rapid-fire 75mm field gun used in the war, and the drink was created for returning war vets. This gin champagne cocktail was later popularized in New Orleans, where it’s now an iconic drink in the area.
Homemade simple syrup always has the best flavor, and you can make a batch in just 5 minutes! Bring equal parts of sugar and water to a boil in a pot or saucepan on the stovetop over high heat. Continuously stir the sugar until it completely dissolves, then remove the pot from the burner. Ta-da! Chill the simple syrup before using it in the cocktail. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Dry brut champagne is a classic addition to traditional French 75 champagne gin cocktail recipes. If you don’t want to splurge on a nicer champagne, this recipe also works well with a dry sparkling wine like cava, Cremant de Bourgogne, or prosecco. Just make sure the label says “brut” so you don’t choose a wine that’s too sweet.
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If you’ve tried this French 75 recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
French 75
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- ½ oz lemon juice
- splash simple syrup up to 1/2 ounce
- 3 oz champagne
- lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice. Cover and shake vigorously until the outside is frosty about 15 seconds. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and serve with a lemon twist.
Notes
- Make the lemon twist before juicing. It is much easier to make the lemon twist before you juice the inside of the lemon! Use a knife, vegetable peeler, or channel zester to cut the outer edge of the lemon peel away from the fruit. Try to get as little pith, or the bitter inner white part of the peel, with the zest as possible for the best flavor.
- Add ice to the shaker, never the glass. Only use ice when you shake the cocktail in the cocktail shaker (or use a mason jar with a lid). Then strain the chilled liquid into the glass. Pouring the French 75 ingredients over ice can dilute the gin and champagne, making it less bubbly and flavorful.
- Serve in a tall cocktail glass. A champagne flute is the best vessel to serve this French 75 recipe in. The slender frame allows the delicate bubbles room to breathe, making it delightfully fizzy. Alternatively, you can use any tall and slender cocktail glass.
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