French 75

The French 75 is a bright, bubbly cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne or sparkling wine. Its balance of citrus, sweetness, and botanical gin makes it a popular choice for celebrations and brunch. This French 75 recipe takes about five minutes to prepare and makes one drink.

How the French 75 Got Its Name

There are different accounts of the cocktail’s beginnings. One commonly repeated story says bartender Harry MacElhone created it in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris. The drink was said to have a powerful kick, inspiring its name: the French 75mm field gun used during World War I, known for its speed and accuracy.

Choosing Champagne for a French 75

Brut Champagne or Spanish Cava can give the cocktail a crisp, relatively dry finish. If you prefer a sweeter drink, Prosecco or another sweeter sparkling wine is also an option. Taste the sparkling wine before mixing so you can adjust the simple syrup to suit it.

How to Make a Lemon Twist

Cut a lemon crosswise into a slice about 1/4 inch thick. With a small knife, separate the peel from the fruit, removing as much of the white pith as you can while keeping the yellow outer peel intact. Wrap the peel around a straw and hold it in place for 10–15 seconds, then slide it off and use it to garnish the drink.

Practical tip: Use a sharp paring knife and work slowly, especially when cutting a thin strip of peel.

French 75 Ingredients

• Gin: Provides the cocktail’s botanical character.
• Fresh lemon juice: Adds citrus brightness. Save a little peel if you want to make a twist garnish.
• Simple syrup: Balances the lemon’s tartness. Add it gradually if you prefer a less sweet cocktail.
• Champagne or sparkling wine: Brings bubbles and lightness. Choose the style based on your preferred level of sweetness.

A tall Champagne flute is a classic serving glass. A shorter coupe also works and gives the drink a different presentation.

How to Make a French 75

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Shake until the mixture is well chilled, then pour it into a Champagne flute.
3. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist, if desired.

Pour the sparkling wine gently to help retain its bubbles. For a more or less sweet result, adjust the syrup in small amounts the next time you make the drink.

Tips and Variations

• Try different styles of sparkling wine to find the sweetness and finish you enjoy most.
• If your sparkling wine tastes too dry in the finished drink, add a little more simple syrup.
• Serve a French 75 at brunch as an alternative to a mimosa.
• Peachy 75: Replace the lemon juice with peach juice for a fruit-forward variation.
• Cognac 75: Use cognac instead of gin.
• Cider 75: Replace the Champagne with dry sparkling cider.

These variations change the cocktail’s flavor, so start with the listed recipe proportions and adjust to taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a French 75 and a Lemon Drop?

A French 75 is made with gin and sparkling wine, making it bubbly and generally less sweet overall. A Lemon Drop uses vodka as its base and does not have the same sparkling-wine finish.

French 75 Recipe

Yield: 1 drink
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces gin
• ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
• ¾ ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces Champagne or sparkling wine

Equipment

• 1 cocktail shaker
• 1 Champagne glass

Instructions

1. Fill a shaker with ice and add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
2. Shake until well chilled, then pour into a Champagne flute.
3. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine. Add a lemon twist if desired.

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving: 188 calories, 0.1 g fat, 0.01 g saturated fat, 17 mg sodium, 86 mg potassium, 18 g carbohydrates, 0.1 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 0.1 g protein, 1 IU vitamin A, 8 mg vitamin C, 9 mg calcium, and 1 mg iron. Percent daily values: fat 0%, saturated fat 0%, sodium 1%, potassium 2%, carbohydrates 6%, fiber 0%, sugar 19%, protein 0%, vitamin A 0%, vitamin C 10%, calcium 1%, and iron 6%. Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Nutrition is automatically calculated and may vary; use your own calculations where accuracy is important.

For a crisp, celebratory drink that comes together quickly, this French 75 pairs gin and fresh lemon with the bubbles of Champagne or sparkling wine. Choose a dry or sweeter sparkling option, then adjust the simple syrup to make the French 75 suit your taste.