French 75 Cocktail
With only 4-ingredients, this bright lemony French 75 Cocktail is the perfect refreshing bubbly libation when you need a pick me up.
What is a French 75?
The French 75.
The Mother of all champagne cocktails.
Simple syrup. Lemon juice. Dry London Gin.
Mix in a shaker over ice. Strain. Pour in champagne. Yes, Champagne.
Garnish with a long lemon peel. Cheers!
Because of its history being linked to French artillery used during WW1- this is a perfect cocktail to serve when honoring our Veterans on Memorial Day or Remembrance Sunday.
Ingredients in a French 75 Champagne Cocktail
- Champagne
- dry London Gin- preferably
- lemon juice
- simple syrup
- thin lemon peel for garnish
Equipment needed for this champagne and gin cocktail:
- Cocktail shaker- buy this beautiful cut glass shaker HERE
- OR buy my Copper shaker HERE
- Jigger
- Saucepan to make simple syrup
- Champagne flutes- read about my favorite champagne glasses HERE
- Sharp knife or vegetable peeler for the lemon
Pro-Tips for a perfect cocktail:
See my recipe for simple syrup below in the cooking notes on the recipe card.
- Make certain your champagne is ice cold.
- Use chipped or cracked ice for you shaker. It chills the gin and lemon juice better.
- Make your own simple syrup to control the amount of sugar you use.
- Local gin infused with citrus is a great choice. Support your local distillery and buy something made locally.
- Infuse your simple syrup with lemon for even more tartness which balances out the sweetness of the champagne and the sugars.
- Use a very dry champagne.
- This cocktail is fantastic in a coupe, but the lemon peel looks so elegant in a flute.
- Chill your glasses.
Other Cocktails with gin to try:
- Azalea Cocktail
- Grapefruit- Rosemary Gin Fizz
- Pink Lady Cocktail
- Cucumber Gin and Tonic
- Dry Martini No. 3
- Star Daisy
- Pimms Fizz
Variations to the French 75 Cocktail:
- Lavender French 75- add food safe lavender to your simple syrup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender.
- Pink 75- Add a dash or two of grenadine and a Luxardo cherry to the cocktail
- Vodka 75- Instead of gin- use vodka for the spirits.
- French 77- gin and elderflower liqueur- my personal favorite
- French 125- Add in Cognac to warm up this cocktail- perfect in cooler months.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Champagne
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2 TBSP lemon juice about 1/2 a lemon
- lemon peel to garnish
Instructions
- Mix gin, simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker over ice. Mix vigorously until your shaker is frosted over.
- Strain. Pour into a champagne flute and top with cold champagne. Garnish with lemon peel.
