When I crave a refreshing cocktail before dinner or at brunch, I always opt for the elegant French 75 over the classic mimosa. This cocktail boasts a bright, sunny hue, exudes a lemony aroma, is crisp and refreshing, and has a subtle herbal hint from the gin.
The French 75 is a classic celebratory cocktail for significant or special occasions (it might even be the drink of choice for Valentine’s Day!). It also serves as a perfect excuse to pop open a bottle of champagne on any given day. (If you’re unsure about choosing champagne, our “Champagne 101 Guide” can help.)
The French 75 is a classic sparkling cocktail containing gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. Invented at Harry’s Bar in Paris during World War I, the “75” in its name is rumored to refer to the 75mm field gun used during the war. There was some controversy initially about the use of Cognac instead of gin in the original French 75, but now it’s widely accepted that gin is the spirit of choice for this cocktail.
You’ll need the zest and juice from a whole lemon. For a richer floral flavor in your French 75, you can use Meyer lemon as a substitute.
Any gin will do – choose your favorite or opt for a London Dry Gin for a more robust herbal taste. I personally enjoy Gray Whale gin for its citrus and juniper notes when mixed with champagne and lemon.
A simple syrup made with equal parts water and sugar.
Use a dry sparkling wine, like Brut Champagne, to balance the sweetness of the syrup. Make sure the sparkling wine is chilled, as the cocktail is poured directly over ice after shaking.
1 cup
1 medium-sized lemon
1.5 oz gin
3/4 oz simple syrup
Ice
2 oz chilled dry sparkling wine, such as Brut Champagne
1. Use a knife or a peeler to strip a long strip of lemon peel. Juice the lemon to get 3/4 oz of lemon juice.
2. Combine the lemon juice, 1.5 oz gin, and 3/4 oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker halfway with ice, cover, and shake until the outside of the shaker frosts, about 20 seconds.
3. Strain into a champagne flute. Slowly pour in 2 oz of chilled dry sparkling wine. Twist the lemon peel over the cocktail to release oils into the drink. Run the outer side of the lemon peel along the rim of the glass, then drop it into the drink.
Recipe Note: If making multiple French 75s, it’s recommended to zest and juice all lemons in advance. You can double all ingredients and shake two drinks at once in the shaker. I wouldn’t recommend making more than two drinks at a time to ensure the cocktail stays properly chilled and diluted by the ice.
Christine Gallary is a food editor at thekitchn.com, a nationally renowned blog for food enthusiasts and home cooks. Send any feedback or questions to [email protected].
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I have carefully translated and expanded the article to provide a detailed account of the French 75 cocktail recipe and its history.