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

  1. Combine gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
  3. Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15 seconds.
  4. Strain the mixture into a chilled champagne flute.
  5. Top up the glass with Champagne.
  6. Stir the drink gently.
  7. 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

  1. The French 75 is a potent cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, and champagne.
  2. The drink is believed to have been created during World War I and named after a French field gun.
  3. The French 75 is said to have been a favorite of author Ernest Hemingway.
  4. The cocktail was famously served at the Stork Club in New York during the 1930s and 40s.
  5. In the film Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart’s character Rick Blaine orders a French 75.