French 75 Recipe

May 3, 2022

Categories: Classic Cocktail Recipes, Cocktail Recipes, Gin Cocktail Recipes

Two French 75 cocktails in Champagne flutes.

French 75

Print Recipe
The French 75 is a classic cocktail that combines Gin and Champagne for a big kick both and flavour and booze. This cocktail is a great celebration drink or one to enjoy at a dinner party with friends. And, of course, it's easy to make.
The French 75 dates back to the early 1900's, but developed through different recipes and names to what it is today. It's remained popular through appearances in various movies including Casablanca in 1942.
Feel sophisticated with this iconic cocktail.
Total Time 4 minutes
Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 30 mL Gin
  • 15 mL Lemon Juice
  • 15 mL Simple Syrup
  • 60 mL Champagne feel free to use another sparkling wine
  • Garnish with lemon twist

Instructions

  • Add Gin, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup to a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake until very cold.
  • Strain into a Champagne flute.
  • Add Champagne.
  • Garnish and enjoy.

Notes

While you can swap out the Champagne for another sparkling wine, make sure to use a good quality one. The same goes for the Gin. This cocktail is designed to kick both the Champagne and the Gin up a notch, so you want them to mingle well together.
In a lot of ways, this cocktail is pretty similar to the Tom Collins, just made a little bit boozier by replacing the Soda Water with Champagne. Did the Tom Collins inspired the French 75? We're not sure, but it's a fun story. However, it also goes to show how the vibe of a drink can really change just based on one key ingredient and how it's served. The Tom Collins has a basic refreshment aspect to it, while the French 75 appears a lot more polished and sophisticated.

Our Review of the French 75

Looking for a way to add a little more “zing” to a glass of Champagne? Well, have a French 75!

That’s really all I have to say about this cocktail… not really.

Champagne is a wonderful type of wine, and often quite dry. So is gin, so you could be mistaken for thinking that the French 75 is getting too dry and complex, and that’s where the simple syrup comes in. It sweetens everything up, including the small amount of lemon juice to create a tasty cocktail that is also extremely elegant and sophisticated.

Staying with the elegance of the French 75, I’d actually put it up there as one of the more elegant cocktail recipes out there. Sure, something like a Martini screams class because it’s such a classic, but nothing says fancy like Champagne.

I know I’ve mentioned this in other reviews, but the French 75 is only going to be as good as the ingredients you use. Champagne is generally of higher quality, but there are cheaper Champagnes out there. Or worse, a cheap generic sparkling wine. I won’t fault you if you opt to use a dry sparkling wine rather than a proper Champagne, but don’t go for the bad stuff. I’ve already said it quite a bit, but this cocktail is supposed to be sophisticated, so be sophisticated with your choice of sparkling!

Obviously your choice of Champagne or sparkling wine with really affect the flavours you’re getting from a cocktail like this, but it will be even more so with the choice of gin. Quite simply because there’s more gin in the recipe and because it tends to have a more pronounced flavour. Personally I like a more traditional London Dry gin to go in my French 75. Keep the flavours traditional and they’re more likely to go well with your Champagne. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try a more lemon forward gin to go with the lemon juice, that works well too!

All in all, the French 75 gives plenty to explore both in terms of flavour when it’s being consumed, as well as for playing with ingredients and having a little fun with the cocktail making experience. Make one the next time you have a bottle of Champagne open!

8.5/10

  • Review by Sarah

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One Response

  1. 5 stars
    I really don’t see the point of Champagne. It’s great, but I don’t get the big deal of it. I quite like this though!

    Reply

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