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We are big fans of Champagne cocktails around here and have created many of our own, from Mom's Italian Soda to The Fifteen. The French 75 — an absolute classic — is basically the mother of all sparkling cocktails.
Why we love this recipe
It doesn't get more classic, nor more drinkable, than the French 75. This classic Champagne cocktail with gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup tastes — for lack of a better term, since there's really nothing better in the world — like It Girl candy. It will transport you to Paris in five minutes flat, including the time it takes to gather the ingredients. What's not to love?
French 75 Ingredients
To make this classic cocktail, you will need:
- A good London dry gin (here we're using Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin)
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1:1 simple syrup
- Champagne or another good bubbly wine (here we're using Chandon Brut)
- A lemon twist to garnish
How to make a French 75
Here's all you need to do to make this French 75 recipe:
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Pour in the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well until very cold and then pour into a Champagne flute.
- Top with Champagne, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve.
A fun twist
For a fun, springy twist on the French 75, you might also like our Sour Cherry French 75.
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French 75 Recipe
The French 75 is one of the most drinkable, and most adaptable, classic cocktails. You'll see a lot of variations with added flavors, and many of them are lovely. But the light, bright balance of flavors works beautifully just the way it is, and it's worth getting to know in its original form. Here's how to make this classic French 75 recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce 1:1 simple syrup
- 2 ounces Champagne
- 1 lemon twist, to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Pour in gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and shake very well.
- Strain gin mixture into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
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Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300
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The original French 75 was made with cognac, so give that a try.
One tale credits it to flier Raoul Lufbery of the French World War I air squadron the Lafayette Escadrille, who allegedly spiked his bubbly with cognac for oomph. The added alcohol hit hard, which was the point for a World War I pilot; their life expectancy was very short. The heavy kick resulted in the name; the original "French 75" was the 75mm Model 1897 French artillery piece used in World War I.
The British pilots flying alongside the French introduced the gin version.
And if you are cooking with white wine and have a bit left over, that can substitute for the champagne for a non-fizzy version; the French 75 Sans Bulles (‘SAWN byuel e). Serve this in a Collins glass.
Interesting, thanks!