This straightforward French 75 recipe is just the perfect evening starter! The mix of Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne will take you pre-dinner drink to a whole new level.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
112
Ingredients
- 1 oz Gin
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp powdered Sugar
- 2 oz Champagne - to top
- Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Champagne Flute
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your champagne flute with ice. Set it aside.
- Add Sugar: In your cocktail shaker, mix 2 tsp powdered Sugar and ½ oz fresh lemon juice. Stir well, until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add Gin: Pour 1 oz Gin into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, cap it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Discard the ice inside the champagne flute. Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the mixture into the chilled flute.
- Top with Champagne: Fill the rest of the glass with 2 oz Champagne.
- Garnish: Twist a lemon peel and gently put it on the rim of the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: Vodka can be a good substitute if you don't have Gin. It will give you a cleaner, less botanical flavor profile. Feel free to experiment with any type of gin you like, as it can have a significant influence on the overall flavor profile of the drink!
- Lemon Juice: In case you run out of lemons, lime juice can work as an alternative. It will add a slightly different tanginess to your drink but still works very well in this cocktail.
- Champagne: Prosecco or Cava are excellent alternatives if you still need to get champagne on hand. They're sparkling wines that will give your French 75 that necessary fizz. In that case, make sure to stick to a “brut” prosecco or to a “brut nature” type of cava. They are the driest options and will ensure a perfect balance for your drink, which otherwise may get a bit too sweet if using another type of cava or prosecco.
Making a Pitcher of French 75:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of Gin, 4 oz of lemon juice, and 16 teaspoons of sugar. Top each glass with champagne as usual.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and ice. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Strain to remove the ice.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual champagne flutes (approx 2 oz per glass), top with champagne, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; several brands are available that mimic the flavor of Gin quite well.
- Champagne Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic sparkling wine to top-up your drink.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The French 75 cocktail is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. However, be aware that some brands of sugar do use bone char in their refining process (especially for sugarcane products). To ensure your cocktail is 100% vegan, opt for organic sugar or a brand that specifies it's vegan-friendly.What is a French 75?
A French 75 is a gin-based cocktail made of Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. It’s a vintage cocktail, most certainly derived from the ancient Champagne Cocktail (a blend of Cognac, sugar, Angostura, and Champagne). An interesting fact about this drink is that it was named after the fast-firing 75-millimeter field gun used by the French military during World War I because, like the artillery piece, this cocktail has quite a kick! Additionally, the French 75 is recognized as an IBA certified cocktail, ensuring its standard recipe and historical significance are preserved.
What is a French 75 made of – The ingredients
Gather these items if you’re planning to make a French 75:
- Gin: This distilled alcoholic drink provides a strong, robust base for the cocktail. Its botanical flavors add depth and complexity.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brings a tart, refreshing element and balances the drink.
- Powdered Sugar: In this cocktail, sugar is used in its most neutral form to bring balance and a longer finish to the drink without interfering with its flavor profile.
- Champagne: The bubbly texture and crisp taste of champagne give the French 75 its signature effervescence and lightness. It also adds a luxurious touch to the drink.
- Lemon Twist (for garnish): A twist of lemon peel makes the cocktail visually appealing and imparts a subtle citrus aroma that enhances the drinking experience.
