How To Make A Classic French 75 Cocktail
Classic French 75 Cocktail
A classic French 75 cocktail is perfect when looking for a celebratory and refreshing cocktail? This is one of my favorite cocktails to start the weekend or when hanging out with friends. Taking less than 5 minutes to make here’s how to make a Classic French 75 cocktail for your next occassion.
What Is A French 75?
Described as refreshing, delightful, and citrusy it’s the perfect cocktail for any occasion. A French 75 combines the worlds of gin and champagne into one making it a bubbly treat with a kick that is a favorite in bars all over. Sometimes, this cocktail is favored over the mimosa at brunch due to its ability to pack a stronger punch.
Rumors have it, the French 75 is the only cocktail to actually be concocted during prohibition in America when it first appeared in a 1927 article. The cocktail is named after the French 75-mm field gun, commonly used in WW1.
Classic French 75 Ingredients
Gin
You can use a standard dry gin, but I prefer Hendrick’s with a touch of cucumber and rose. I am not a huge gin drinker in the first place so I prefer the citrus taste. Some also go with cognac instead of gin but I prefer gin for this cocktail.
Champagne
A dry brut is best for the French 75 but any sparking wine will do, you could even use a Cava. One of my favorite bruts is under $20 at Whole Foods and is perfect for this cocktail.
De Chanceny, Cremant de Loire Brut is from the Loire Valley and is perfectly structured and such an amazing price for the taste. I usually buy mine at Whole Foods but I am sure it’s available other places as well. This is the one sparking wine I always recommend especially for the price.
Simple Syrup
The original receipe calls for sugar but I prefer to make a simply syrup using honey with a 1:1 ratio of honey and water. Honey is the best alternative to sugar if you are wanting that sweet flavor without the refined sugar.
I make a 1:1 ratio using 1 cup of water and 1 cup of honey, melted together over low heat until a liquid form. Then I store any extra in a mason jar in the refrigerator for a few days.
Make sure to melt the honey with the water as cold honey will just clump up in a big ball in your cocktail and that doesn’t sound very appealing to me.
Champagne Coupes
When I drink champagne or sparkling wine, I always prefer a coupe to a flute. The difference between the two, is in the design of the glass.
A coupe is for those who prefer the full body taste of the champagne and not just the bubbles. I also happen to think a coupe is more elegant and makes me think of 1920s Paris.
A flute is used more for those who want the bubbles, because you hold the glass by the stem to not warm the wine.
How To Make A Classic French 75 Cocktail
The cocktail takes less than 5 minutes to put together depending on if you have simple syrup made ahead of time or not. If you need to make the simple syrup then add on another 10 minutes for cooking plus cooling time.
You will need a cocktail shaker, champagne coupes or flutes, and a citrus squeezer always helps but isn’t necessary.
French 75 Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 -1/2 -2 oz Gin -Hendrick's
- 1/2 lemon Fresh Lemon Juice -Squeeze Juice From 1/2 Lemon
- 3/4 0z Simple Syrup -You can use sugar but I prefer a honey version
- Chilled Champagne -Enough to top the glass
- Champagne Flute or Coupe
Instructions
- Make a simple syrup with either sugar or honey- see above regarding honey Use a 1:1 ratio of water with honey or sugar and melt over low heat, whisking ocassionaly until dissolved. Let cool completely.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, gin, and shake until chilled. Pour into a champagne coupe or flute and slowly fill with champagne to the top.
- Garnish with a lemon peel and enjoy!