French 75
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Crisp, bubbly, and wonderfully refreshing, this classic French 75 recipe is one of my all-time favorite cocktails.
The French 75 is one of those cocktails I always seem to order when I’m out. Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne, it’s cold, crisp, and bubbly, with just the right balance of tart and sweet. Despite its elegant appearance, there’s nothing fussy about making one at home—you just need a cocktail shaker and a bottle of something bubbly.
The photo below shows a few of my friends and me on the beach in Naples during a recent girls’ getaway—French 75s were our unofficial happy hour ritual.
What You’ll Need to Make a French 75
- Gin: A London dry gin is a good choice here; its crisp, botanical flavor pairs nicely with the lemon and sparkling wine.
- Fresh lemon juice: With so few ingredients, freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a noticeable difference.
- Simple syrup: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the lemon. It’s easy to make your own simple syrup with just sugar and water.
- Champagne or sparkling wine: No need to splurge on an expensive bottle. Champagne is classic, but any good dry sparkling wine will work. Look for brut so the cocktail isn’t overly sweet.
- Lemon twist: Adds a fresh lemony aroma as you sip.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Why Is It Called a French 75?
The cocktail takes its name from the French 75-millimeter field gun used during World War I—a fitting name for a drink with a bit of a kick. Early versions varied, but by the late 1920s, the familiar combination of gin, lemon, sugar, and Champagne had appeared in cocktail books.
French 75
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 3 oz chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
- Lemon twist, for garnish (see note)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well until chilled, about 10 seconds.
- Strain into a champagne flute or coupe glass. Top with the Champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
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I love New Orleans, the Sazerac House, and the Roosevelt bar! My suggestion is to use Sazerac de Forge Cognac instead of gin if you dare and have the budget. This rowdy cognac is unique because its rare pre-phylloxera grape varieties are used to create a bold, rustic profile that doesn’t follow current ‘smooth’ trends. Also, please don’t dishonor the bubbles and go with a good French Champagne (4 ounces) to perfectly balance that historic edge. Beyond superlatives.
Best cocktail ever!
Can vodka be substituted for the gin? I am not a fan of gin.
Sure!