French 75
French 75 is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. It was named after the French 75mm field gun used in World War I.
French 75 recipe
- 30 ml (1.0 US fl oz) gin
- 15 ml (0.51 US fl oz) lemon juice
- 15 ml (0.51 US fl oz) simple syrup
- 60 ml (2.0 US fl oz) Champagne
Combine gin, syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled champagne glass. Top up with champagne. Stir gently.
Directions for how to make the French 75
- Combine gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled champagne flute.
- Top up the glass with Champagne.
- Stir the drink gently.
- Serve and enjoy the French 75 drink.
Tips for how to make the perfect French 75
- Use quality ingredients: The French 75 is a classic cocktail that calls for only a few ingredients, so make sure you use the best quality gin, fresh lemons, and a good quality champagne or sparkling wine.
- Shake well with ice: To get the perfect balance of flavors, make sure to shake the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup well with ice before straining into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne: Finally, top the cocktail with chilled champagne or sparkling wine to give it that signature effervescence. Garnish with a lemon twist or zest for an extra touch of flavor.
Alcohol-free alternative to the French 75
A non-alcoholic alternative to the French 75 cocktail could be a sparkling lemonade or a citrus mocktail. The bubbly texture of the sparkling beverage replaces the champagne in the original recipe, while the tangy citrus flavors mimic the tartness of the lemon juice. To create a citrus mocktail, combine fresh lemon juice and simple syrup with soda water in a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of fresh mint for a refreshing and alcohol-free alternative to the French 75.
French 75 fun facts
- The French 75 is a potent cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, and champagne.
- The drink is believed to have been created during World War I and named after a French field gun.
- The French 75 is said to have been a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway.
- The cocktail was famously served at the Stork Club in New York during the 1930s and 40s.
- In the film Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart’s character Rick Blaine orders a French 75.