The Ultimate French 75 Cocktail Recipe: A Bubbly, Classic Celebration Drink
Discover the elegance and vibrant flavor of the French 75, a timeless cocktail that effortlessly elevates any occasion. From its effervescent charm perfect for celebratory brunches and elegant weddings to its refreshing, ‘spiked lemonade’ profile ideal for warm summer evenings, this classic gin and champagne concoction is a true crowd-pleaser. With a delightful balance of zesty lemon, crisp gin, and sparkling brut, the French 75 is more than just a drink; it’s an experience waiting to be savored.
Why This French 75 Recipe Is Your Go-To Cocktail
This particular French 75 recipe stands out for its perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication, delivering a crisp, effervescent cocktail every time. While many turn to the classic mimosa for celebratory occasions, the French 75 offers a more complex and refined flavor profile. It’s not merely a lighter alternative; it’s a distinct beverage that marries the botanical notes of gin with the bright acidity of fresh lemon and the celebratory fizz of champagne, all gently sweetened by simple syrup. The result is a beautifully balanced drink that is less sweet than many brunch staples, making it incredibly refreshing and versatile.
Its vibrant character makes it an ideal choice for a multitude of events. Imagine sipping a chilled French 75 at a sophisticated wedding reception, or enjoying its zesty kick at a festive holiday gathering, such as New Year’s Eve, Christmas, or even a special Mother’s Day brunch. During the warmer months, its lemonade-like qualities make it an exceptional summer cocktail, perfect for garden parties, barbecues, or simply unwinding on a patio. Served traditionally in an elegant champagne flute, the French 75 not only tastes exquisite but also presents beautifully, adding a touch of class to any table. This recipe prioritizes fresh, high-quality ingredients, ensuring that each sip is as delightful as the last.
Essential Ingredients for the Perfect French 75
Crafting an exceptional French 75 cocktail begins with selecting the right ingredients. While the recipe is wonderfully simple, the quality of each component truly shines through in the final taste. You’ll find the precise measurements in the comprehensive recipe card located further down this page, but here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to create this iconic drink:
- London Dry Gin: This forms the backbone of the cocktail, contributing its signature botanical complexity. Opt for a good quality London dry gin, as its crisp, juniper-forward notes will beautifully complement the other ingredients. Popular choices include Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, or Beefeater, but feel free to use your favorite.
- Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice: This is non-negotiable! The brightness and acidity of freshly squeezed lemon juice are crucial for the cocktail’s refreshing quality. Bottled lemon juice simply won’t achieve the same vibrant, zesty flavor. Always choose fresh lemons for the best results.
- Simple Syrup: A balanced sweetness is key to a French 75. Simple syrup, a solution of equal parts sugar and water, dissolves effortlessly into cold liquids, ensuring a smooth sweetness without any grainy texture. You can easily make your own by heating equal parts granulated sugar and water until the sugar dissolves, then letting it cool completely.
- Brut Champagne (or Dry Sparkling Wine): The ‘bubbly’ component! Brut champagne is dry, meaning it has very little residual sugar, which perfectly balances the sweetness of the simple syrup and the tartness of the lemon. While true Champagne is ideal, a good quality dry Prosecco or Cava can also be used for a more budget-friendly option, ensuring you still get that delightful effervescence without overpowering sweetness.
- Lemon Peel Twist for Garnish: More than just decoration, a lemon twist adds an aromatic element to the drink. The oils from the peel release a subtle citrus scent that enhances the overall sensory experience of the cocktail.
Crafting Your Classic French 75: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a French 75 is a straightforward process that yields a surprisingly sophisticated result. Follow these easy steps to mix up this delightful gin and champagne cocktail:
- Prepare Your Garnish with Zest: Before mixing, prepare your lemon peel twist. Using a paring knife or a high-quality zester, carefully slice a long, thin strip of peel from a fresh lemon. Aim for a continuous spiral, ensuring it doesn’t contain too much of the bitter white pith. This twist will not only look elegant but also release fragrant citrus oils, enhancing the drink’s aroma.
- Shake the Base Spirits: Fill a cocktail shaker generously with ice. Add the specified amounts of London dry gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. The ice is crucial here as it will chill and slightly dilute the mixture. Secure the lid tightly and **shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds**. This ensures the ingredients are thoroughly combined and properly chilled, providing a crisp base for your cocktail.
- Strain and Top with Bubbly: Strain the well-chilled gin and lemon mixture into a pre-chilled champagne flute. Chilling your flute beforehand (by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes or filling it with ice water and discarding the water) will help keep your cocktail colder for longer. Once strained, slowly top the flute with cold Brut champagne. Pouring gently helps preserve the delicate bubbles.
- Create Your Elegant Lemon Twist: For an extra flourish, take the lemon peel you prepared earlier and curl it around a wooden spoon handle or your finger. This creates a beautiful, tight spiral that stands tall in the drink. The oils from the twisted peel will release a burst of citrus aroma as you bring the glass to your lips.
- Garnish and Serve Immediately: Place the curled lemon twist into the champagne flute, allowing it to rest on the rim or float gently within the drink. Serve your freshly made French 75 immediately to enjoy its maximum effervescence and chilling effect.
Pro Tip: For a slightly sweeter twist, you can rim your champagne flute with sugar before pouring in the cocktail. Simply moisten the rim with a lemon wedge, then dip it into a shallow plate of granulated sugar.
The Intriguing History Behind the French 75 Cocktail
Beyond its delightful taste, the French 75 boasts a captivating history rooted in the tumultuous era of World War I. Often simply referred to as a ’75 Cocktail,’ or ‘Soixante Quinze’ in French, this iconic drink’s name is far more evocative than a simple numbering.
A WWI Legacy: Legend has it that the French 75 was first concocted in 1915 by the legendary barman Harry MacElhone at the New York Bar in Paris (which later became the famous Harry’s New York Bar). It quickly gained notoriety among Allied soldiers and expatriates during the war. The cocktail’s potent blend was said to deliver such a powerful punch that patrons joked it felt like being hit by the formidable **French 75mm field gun**. This highly effective and rapid-firing artillery piece was a symbol of French military prowess during WWI, and the comparison underscored the drink’s surprising strength and invigorating ‘kick.’
Evolution of a Classic: Like many historical cocktails, the French 75 has undergone several transformations before solidifying into the recipe we cherish today. Harry MacElhone’s original 1915 creation was quite different from its modern iteration, featuring Calvados (an apple brandy), gin, grenadine, and even a dash of absinthe. It was a bolder, perhaps more experimental, concoction of its time.
The shift towards the contemporary classic began to take shape with the publication of the 1927 cocktail book “Here’s How!” by Judge Jr. This influential guide is credited with popularizing the name ‘French 75’ and, more importantly, establishing the gin, lemon, simple syrup, and champagne recipe that has since become the standard. This lighter, more refined version quickly eclipsed its predecessors and cemented its place in cocktail history.
Interestingly, variations still exist. Some classic mixology books, particularly those from the early to mid-20th century, suggest replacing the gin with Cognac. This ‘French 75’ (sometimes called a ‘French 125’ or ‘Royal French 75’) offers a warmer, richer flavor profile, appealing to those who prefer a brandy base. While delicious, the gin-based version remains the most recognized and widely enjoyed worldwide.
A Star in Pop Culture: The allure of the French 75 extends beyond the bar, making its way into popular culture. Film aficionados might recall its mention in the iconic 1942 film Casablanca, where Humphrey Bogart’s character, Rick Blaine, makes a reference to the drink, further cementing its status as a sophisticated choice. It also made appearances in two John Wayne films during the 1940s and 1950s, highlighting its widespread appeal. More recently, the French 75 graced the screens in the 2016 historical drama series Mr. Selfridge, proving its enduring legacy across generations. These cultural nods underscore its reputation as a classic, elegant, and timeless cocktail.
Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone, hosting a brunch, or simply savoring a refreshing sip on a warm day, the French 75 is a cocktail that promises to delight. Its rich history and exquisite flavor profile make it a truly special drink. Cheers to enjoying your perfectly crafted French 75!
Explore Cocktails Similar to the French 75
If you appreciate the zesty, bubbly, and spirited nature of the French 75, you’ll likely enjoy exploring other classic cocktails that share similar characteristics or ingredients. Here are a few recommendations:
- Gimlet Cocktail – A close cousin in its simplicity and gin base, the Gimlet combines London dry gin with freshly squeezed lime juice and simple syrup. While it lacks the champagne, its crisp, botanical, and tart flavor profile offers a refreshing experience served elegantly in a coupe glass. It’s a fantastic choice for gin lovers who enjoy a balanced, citrus-forward drink.
- Tom Collins – This tall, refreshing drink is remarkably similar to the French 75, often described as its non-bubbly sibling. It features almost identical ingredients: gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. The key difference is that instead of champagne, it’s topped with carbonated water (club soda), making it a longer, equally invigorating highball cocktail perfect for a sunny afternoon.
- Lemon Drop Martini – For those who love the zesty lemon kick but prefer vodka to gin, the Lemon Drop is an excellent alternative. This vibrant cocktail shakes vodka, triple sec (an orange liqueur), fresh squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, then strains it into a sugar-rimmed martini glass. It’s a sweet-tart delight with a strong citrus punch.
- Lynchburg Lemonade – A beloved summertime favorite, the Lynchburg Lemonade swaps the gin for whiskey and the champagne for lemon-lime soda. This refreshing drink combines Jack Daniel’s whiskey with triple sec, lemon juice, and lemon-lime soda for a sweet, tangy, and fizzy concoction. It’s named after Lynchburg, Tennessee, the home of the Jack Daniel’s distillery, and is a perfect choice for those who enjoy a whiskey-based citrus drink.
- Bellini – While very different in terms of spirits, if you love bubbly fruit cocktails, the Bellini is a must-try. This Italian classic mixes Prosecco (or champagne) with fresh peach purée, offering a sweeter, fruitier, and equally elegant sparkling experience, often enjoyed at brunch.
- Mimosa – Although distinct from the French 75, the Mimosa is another popular champagne cocktail, perfect for brunch. It typically combines equal parts dry sparkling wine (like Champagne or Prosecco) and chilled orange juice. It’s simpler, fruitier, and generally sweeter, making it a beloved classic in its own right. Understanding the Mimosa helps highlight the unique character of the French 75 with its gin and lemon base.
Each of these cocktails offers a unique spin on classic flavor profiles, ensuring there’s a refreshing drink for every palate and occasion.
French 75 Cocktail
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Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1 oz London dry gin
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Ice
- 3 oz Brut champagne
- Lemon peel twist for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Paring knife or zester
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Cocktail shaker
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Champagne flutes
Instructions
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Using a paring knife or a zester, carefully slice a long, thin strip of peel from a fresh lemon, going all the way around to create a continuous spiral.
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Fill a cocktail shaker generously with ice. Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 20 seconds to thoroughly chill and combine the ingredients.
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Strain the chilled mixture into a pre-chilled champagne flute and then slowly top it with cold Brut champagne.
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Take the prepared lemon peel and curl it around a wooden spoon or your finger to create an elegant, long twist garnish.
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Garnish the drink with the lemon twist and serve immediately to enjoy its effervescence and crisp flavors.
Nutrition
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post originally appeared on this blog on March 16, 2019.