Cocktails › Classics › French 75
French 75
Gin and lemon shaken ice cold, then crowned with Champagne. A French 75 sparkles like a celebration and lands with real backbone, all citrus lift and fine bubbles in a tall and elegant glass.
Ingredients
- 1oz (30ml) gin, London dry style
- 0.5oz (15ml) fresh lemon juice
- 0.5oz (15ml) simple syrup
- 3oz (90ml) Champagne or dry sparkling wine, well chilled
- Lemon twist, for garnish
- Plenty of fresh ice
Method
- Chill a flute glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you work.
- Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with plenty of ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the mix is well chilled.
- Empty the flute if you used ice water and strain the mix into it.
- Top slowly with the Champagne, pouring down the side so the bubbles stay lively.
- Finish with the lemon twist expressed over the top and dropped in or rested on the rim.
Tip: Keep the Champagne cold and pour it last, gently. Warm bubbles go flat fast, and a slow pour keeps the foam fine and the drink tall.
Serve It With
Our sister site Cooking with Dade pairs it with No Bake Lemon Cheesecake.
Variations
- Cognac French 75. Swap the gin for cognac, as many early Paris pours did. Rounder and warmer, with the lemon and bubbles keeping it bright.
- Elderflower French 75. Add a quarter ounce of elderflower liqueur and drop the syrup to a quarter ounce. Floral and soft, with the lemon still holding the line.
Questions
What is in a French 75?
Gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. The first three are shaken with ice, strained into a flute, and topped with the sparkling wine and a lemon twist.
Why is it called a French 75?
The drink takes its name from the French 75 millimetre field gun of the First World War. Drinkers joked that the kick felt like being on the receiving end of the famous artillery piece.
Can I use prosecco instead of Champagne?
Yes. Any dry sparkling wine works, including prosecco, cava, and crémant. Keep it dry and pour it cold, because a sweet sparkler will push the drink out of balance.
Should a French 75 be served in a flute or a coupe?
A flute is the modern classic and it keeps the bubbles lively for longer. A coupe looks gorgeous and drinks a touch softer, so pick the glass that suits the moment.
Can I make a French 75 with cognac?
Yes, and you will be in good historical company. Early Paris versions often used cognac in place of gin, giving a warmer and rounder glass with the same bright lemon lift.