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
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
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.
3. Strain into a champagne flute.
4. Top the flute with champagne and serve with a lemon twist.
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.
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!
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
- 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.
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