French 75 Cocktail: the classic cocktail recipe

The French 75 is a classic cocktail you can enjoy during a celebration or even as a stronger drink than Mimosa during your weekly brunch. This refreshing and sparkling cocktail is packed with citrus flavor, making it the perfect solution to your bubbly craving. Now famous worldwide, French 75 is made of gin, Champagne, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. Garnish it with lemon peel to enhance even more its zesty flavor.

Its name refers to the French 75 millimeter field gun often used during World War One, but the origins of this cocktail recipe are still unknown. It wasn't until the 1920s, during Prohibition period, that we first heard of French 75. This drink is believed to have undergone several changes over the years, including the early use of cognac instead of gin as the combination with champagne was very popular at that time.

How to make French 75

In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, sugar syrup, lemon juice and ice cubes. Shake well until chilled for less than 30 seconds.

Strain into a Champagne flute. Top with Champagne and stir gently.

Garnish with a lemon peel. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

– To make enough simple syrup for other cocktails as well, mix together 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan. Stir occasionally until sugar dissolves. Let it cool down before using it and store it covered in the refrigerator.

– For the syrup, you can replace sugar with honey.

– To make a vegan French 75 swap sugar for a vegan one.

– Use regular dry gin such as Beefeater, or Hendrick's if you want to give the cocktail a new boost. The latter is also gluten-free friendly.

– If you don't have Champagne you can use another sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Cava.

French 75 Variations

If you want to kick the French 75 up a notch, try other citrus juices. Clementine or blood orange are perfect to change up the color too.

You can also use Cognac instead of gin or replace sugar syrup with elderflower liqueur.