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French 75 Cocktail

This French 75 cocktail recipe is fabulous. It’s a delicious and balanced combination of gin, lemon, and champagne. It’s a classic cocktail that will make you feel classy drinking it.

Classic champagne glass in front of the tall glass filled with the French cocktail

This delicious cocktail is so perfectly balanced that you can’t quite discern the ingredients when you sip it, though you can tell there is champagne because of the fizz.

This history

A version of this cocktail was first made in the early 1900s. It became popular during World War I. They say that it’s a based on the Tom Collins. It just replaces soda water with another (some might say, better) form of carbonation: champagne.

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It was named the French 75 because it is known to pack such a punch that when you imbibe it, it feels like being hit by the French 75mm field gun! Weird, but interesting.

Helpful tips

  • If you are only making a few of these cocktails, I recommend you buy the 4 pack of small bottles of champagne. Or if you love champagne and know you will drink the bottle, then get the big bottle and enjoy.
  • Always use fresh lemon juice. I recommend you wash your lemon thoroughly. Here’s how: Use a natural, unscented hand soap, squirt some in your hand and rub over the fruit. Next, run cold water over the lemon as you use a vegetable brush on the skin.
  • Simple syrup is very easy to make. Save yourself some money by making your own. Here’s how: combine equal parts of water and white sugar to a sauce pan and heat on medium heat until it boils. Stir and lower heat to a simmer and cook for five minutes. Let syrup cool completely before using.
  • I don’t like super sweet cocktails, so I don’t use a lot of simple syrup. Try it with my recommended amount and if you don’t find it sweet enough, add another teaspoon per cocktail and stir gently with a spoon.
  • Use your favorite gin and champagne, but if you are buying champagne in the small bottles, you will be limited to whatever brand your liquor store offers.
  • I like to use differently shaped glassware. If you entertain a lot, they are must-haves. It’s impressive serving cocktails this way and it usually sparks conversation, too.

How to make the French 75 cocktail

Pre-step

Get a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Take out two champagne glasses. For the garnish, cut two thin lemon wheels. Put a slice in the side of each rind. Cut out the lemon pulp and toss. Set aside your clean rinds.

After measuring out the ingredients, pour into cocktail shaker.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – gin, champagne, simple syrup, and lemon.

Champagne, gin, simple syrup and lemon on a black board with the shaker and glassware

Step two

Measure 2 ounces gin. I use Bombay Sapphire because it is a solid mid-level brand.

Gin poured out with the bottle, shaker and glasses in the background

Step three

Measure 1.5 ounces of lemon juice.

Fresh lemon measured with a lemon, shaker and glassware in the background

Step four

Measure 2 teaspoons of simple syrup.

Simple syrup measured with the bottle, shaker and glasses in the background

Step five

Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Strain and divide between the two glasses.

Open your champagne bottle.

Champagne glasses filled 2/3 of the way up with the liquid before adding champagne

Step six

Pour champagne to top off each glass. You don’t have to measure, just pour it in. I find that each one takes about 3 ounces of the bubbly.

To make a lemon twist garnish, wrap the lemon rind around something thin like a chop stick and hold for a minute.

Place a lemon twist in each glass.

The thin champagne glass filled with the drink, the classic glass is behind it and both have lemon twists in the glasses

Let’s look at the vertical view of the French 75 cocktail.

Vertical view of the classic champagne glass in front of the straight glass. You can see bubbles and the lemon twists

Doesn’t that look good?

I hope you enjoyed this French 75 cocktail recipe. It’s rather refreshing.

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTERINSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

the classic champagne glass in front of the straight glass - square

Fabulous French 75 Cocktail

This French 75 cocktail is delicious and refreshing!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: Cocktails
Keyword: champagne cocktail, cocktails made with lemon, French 75 cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 Cocktails
Calories: 131kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ounce gin
  • 1.5 ounce lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoon simple syrup 1 – 2
  • 6 ounces champagne

Garnish

  • 2 lemon twists

Instructions

  • Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice
  • Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup
    2 ounce gin, 1.5 ounce lemon juice, 2 teaspoon simple syrup
  • Cap shaker and shake at least 10 seconds
  • Divide and strain between the champagne flutes
  • Pour champagne up to the top of the glass and add the lemon twist
    6 ounces champagne, 2 lemon twists
  • Sip
  • Smile
  • Enjoy
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Notes

Helpful tips
  • If you are only making a few of these cocktails, I recommend you buy the 4 pack of small bottles of champagne. Or if you love champagne and know you will drink the bottle, then get the big bottle and enjoy.
  • Always use fresh lemon juice. I recommend you wash your lemon thoroughly. Here’s how: Use a natural, unscented hand soap, squirt some in your hand and rub over the fruit. Next, run cold water over the lemon as you use a vegetable brush on the skin.
  • Simple syrup is very easy to make. Save yourself some money by making your own. Here’s how: combine equal parts of water and white sugar to a sauce pan and heat on medium heat until it boils. Stir and lower heat to a simmer and cook for five minutes. Let syrup cool completely before using.
  • I don’t like super sweet cocktails, so I don’t use a lot of simple syrup. Try it with my recommended amount and if you don’t find it sweet enough, add another teaspoon per cocktail and stir gently with a spoon.
  • Use your favorite gin and champagne, but if you are buying champagne in the small bottles, you will be limited to whatever brand your liquor store offers.
  • I like to use differently shaped glassware. If you entertain a lot, they are must-haves. It’s impressive serving cocktails this way and it usually sparks conversation, too.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 97mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
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Originally published in July of 2017.

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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

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14 Comments

  1. What a cute story, Elaine! My Mom grew up during the depression too! To this day, she will still look for the best deal! I love the sound of this cocktail and how it looks on your beautiful board! Another winner!

  2. Love this cocktail, and our moms are similar, she’s put an item on the grocery list when there were less than 2 ‘backups’ in the cupboard.

  3. I’ve never heard of this cocktail, but it sounds wonderful. I could sure use one tonight!

    1. Hehe Laura. I wish you could have seen my mom’s ‘stores’. I got a 5 gallon jug of molasses that I used up years ago, but wish I could buy it in bulk like that!

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