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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » French 75

    French 75

    Published: December 19, 2021 · Modified: Dec 19, 2021 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    A classic cocktail, the French 75 is a bubbly drink made with gin and champagne. Simple but elegant, this 75 cocktail is perfect for any special occasion from anniversaries to Christmas to New Year’s Eve. All you need are four simple ingredients, and you’ll have this champagne cocktail ready in no time.

    Two champagne flutes with French 75 with a lemon twist garnish.
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    Pinterest graphic of two glasses of French 75 by some freshly cut lemons.
    Pinterest graphic of an overhead view of two glasses of French 75 with lemon peel garnishes.
    Pinterest graphic of a lemon peel garnish added to a glass of French 75.
    Pinterest graphic of a glass of French 75 cocktail with lemon twist garnish.
    Pinterest graphic of two glasses of French 75 cocktails.

    Crisp, citrusy, and bubbly, you will love this refreshing French 75 cocktail. The sweetness from the simple syrup and tangy citrus notes from the lemon perfectly balances the dry gin and champagne. The mouthfeel you get from the champagne is so delightful!

    Ideal for entertaining or celebrations, this 75 cocktail (or simply Soixante Quinze in French) really packs a punch. While you don’t need to spring for the most expensive options, it’s the perfect cocktail if you want to pop a bottle of champagne. Want another citrus-forward cocktail? Try my sweet and sour lemon drop martini recipe or my classic whiskey sour recipe.

    What You Need to Make This Recipe

    Ingredients needed to make a French 75 cocktail.

    Gin — traditionally, you make a French 75 with a London dry gin. London dry gin means that the gin is infused with botanical flavor through re-distillation with no artificial flavorings or additives after distillation. There can also be no more than 0.1 grams of sweetener per liter. I went with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin as it combines Asian and local Irish botanicals, leading to a distinctive spirit with citrus, juniper, and cardamom notes.

    Champagne — while all champagne is sparkling wine, not all sparkling wine is champagne. Champagne has to come from the champagne region in France to get that title. I recommend using brut champagne as it’s dry and made with less than 12 grams of added sugar per liter.

    Simple syrup — the sweetness from the simple syrup balances out the gin and champagne. You can use store-bought or homemade simple syrup.

    How to Make French 75

    Set of two photos showing ingredients added to a cocktail shaker and shook.

    1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

    2. Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until the outside is frosty for about 15 seconds.

    Set of two photos showing liquids strained from a shaker and then garnished with a lemon peel.

    3. Strain into a champagne flute.

    4. Top the flute with champagne and serve with a lemon twist.

    Two champagne flutes of French 75 by some freshly cut lemon wedges.

    Pro Tips for Making This Recipe

    • Use fresh lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice as it tastes much more bright and fresh. Get the most juice out of your lemon by bringing it to room temperature and rolling it on the counter before juicing.
    • It’s much easier to slice the lemon peel to make the lemon twist for the champagne glass before juicing it.
    • If you’re not confident that you’ll slice a thin lemon peel garnish with a knife, you can use a vegetable peeler.
    • Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid.
    • Always add the ice to the shaker and not the glass. If you pour your drink over ice, your gin and champagne cocktail will become diluted, and you risk losing the effervescence of your champagne.

    Overhead view of two glasses of French 75 with lemon peel garnishes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where did this drink get its name?

    French 75 was first recorded as the “75” in Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails by Harry MacElhone in 1922. The drink got its name as the combination of gin and champagne was said to have such a kick that it felt like being hit with a 75mm field gun, a powerful field gun used by the French during World War I.

    Do I have to use champagne?

    If you’re looking to stay within a budget, you can sub in sparkling wine. Prosecco, Spanish Cava, and Cremant De Bourgogne are great alternatives to champagne. Just be sure to look for “brut” on the label as you want a dry sparkling wine.

    How do I make simple syrup?

    You can purchase simple syrup at the store. However, it’s super easy to make at home as well. Just make sure to make it ahead of time, so it’s chilled. Here’s how to make it:

    • Add equal parts water and sugar to a pan.
    • Stir and bring to a boil.
    • Remove from heat and chill in an airtight container.
    • Store in the fridge for up to a week

    Can this cocktail be made ahead of time?

    If you’re looking to make a large batch of French 75, scale up the ingredients and then combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher with a lid. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. Hold off on topping with champagne until you’ve portioned out the cocktail into individual glasses.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • Two glasses of cucumber martini with one in front of the other. Both has a thin slice of cucumber as garnish.

      Cucumber Martini

    • Two glasses of Negroni cocktails with orange peels as garnish.

      Negroni

    • Two glasses of old fashioned with the ingredients in the background, out of focus.

      Old Fashioned

    • Two glasses of French martini with lemon garnish on a marble surface.

      French Martini

    • Two glasses of coquito with cinnamon sprinkles on top and a cinnamon stick garnish.

      Coquito

    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!

    Two glasses of French 75 by a cutting board with lemons, cocktail shaker, and gin.
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    5 from 2 votes

    French 75

    Bubbly and crisp, this French 75 cocktail is a classic drink that combines gin and champagne. Perfect for any occasion, this cocktail comes together quickly.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine French
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 106kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker

    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

    • Use fresh lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice as it tastes more bright and fresh. Get the most juice out of your lemon by bringing it to room temperature and rolling it on the counter before juicing.
    • It’s much easier to slice the lemon peel to make the lemon twist before juicing it.
    • If you’re not confident that you’ll slice a thin lemon peel garnish with a knife, you can use a vegetable peeler.
    • Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid.
    • Always add the ice to the shaker and not the glass. If you pour your drink over ice, your gin and champagne cocktail will become diluted, and you risk losing the effervescence of your champagne.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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