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French 75 is a classic champagne co*cktail that is refreshing, aromatic, and citrusy. You only need 4 ingredients to make this sparkling drink: gin, champagne, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Serve these champagne co*cktails for New Year’s Eve, bridal showers, and any other celebration!
What is French 75?
It’s a classic co*cktail that combines aromatic gin, bubbly champagne, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sweetness. Gin and champagne is such a pleasant and aromatic combination of flavors in this classic co*cktail. Add citrus of lemon to it and a touch of sweetness, and you have a wonderful co*cktail on your hands. After all, it’s a classic for a reason.
And like so many other classic co*cktails, the true origin of it is unknows. We know that this co*cktail was created sometime in the early 1900s and that it’s named after the French 75-mm light field gun. This gun was portable and capable of firing up to 15 rounds per minute with explosive shells. It was the main choice of weapon for the French army in the WWI.
Some historians suggest that this co*cktail was originally named “Soixante-Quinze” or “Seventy Five” in Paris bar and evolved onto “French 75.” Since many classic co*cktails are named after notable people, events, and inventions, the name French 75 seems quite fitting here. Even with decades of changes in the original recipes, it is still a strong co*cktail that’s named very appropriately. After all, this is quite a potent co*cktail that is capable of knocking you off your feet!
French 75 Recipe Ingredients & Tips
- Gin – Use your favorite gin here because its flavor will be pronounced.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice – yes, I highly recommend that you squeeze the lemon juice yourself for the co*cktail instead of buying already squeezed. The flavor is quite different.
- Simple Syrup – You can make your own simple syrup and store it in the refrigerator or you can buy premade. To make your own, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of hot water and stir until dissolved. Store homemade simple syrup in the refrigerator, in an air-tight bottle.
- Champagne – Use dry, extra dry, or brut champagne, not sweet! Choose the one you like to drink because this is a main ingredient in this recipe and you will taste all the flavor.
- Lemon Twist – Use a paring knife to first cut the lemon in half, then cut the pulp off of the peel. Once you have your peel, simply twist and squeeze to extract the oils out.
Tools and Barware Needed
- Champagne Flutes
- Sharp paring knife, Y peeler, or zester – you’ll need this to make the perfect garnish for your co*cktail.
- Jigger to measure the ingredients.
How To Make French 75 Recipe
Chill the champagne flutes while preparing other ingredients. Fill the flutes with ice and cold water and let them stand until ready to make the co*cktails.
Prepare the lemon. Peel the zest off of the lemon before squeezing the juices out of the pulp. Then, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the glass.
Combine the ingredients. In a champagne flute, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin. Stir for a few seconds to combine.
Pour the champagne. Carefully fill the glasses with champagne.
Add the lemon twist. Twist the lemon peel until you see expressed oils come onto the skin. Then, drop it into the glass and enjoy!
Other co*cktails You May Like
Of all the incredible champagne co*cktail recipes, this one and my cosmopolitan champagne co*cktail are my favorites!
If you want another citrusy drink, be sure to check out my lemon drop martini.
Of course, you also can’t beat the classics, like a peach bellini or a cosmopolitan!
If you made any of my recipes and shared them onInstagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!
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French 75 co*cktail
This French 75 recipe makes a bubbly, classic co*cktail with gin, champagne, and lemon. Serve these champagne co*cktails for New Year's Eve!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: co*cktail, Drinks
Cuisine: American, French
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 202kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz gin
- 3/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 3-4 oz champagne
- lemon twist to garnish
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
TIP: for best results, make sure that all the ingredients are chilled before combining. Prepare simple syrup ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. Use cold lemon and chill champagne and gin.
Peel zest off of lemon before squeezing the juices out.
Combine lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin in a champagne glass and give it a quick stir to combine.
Add 3-4 oz. of champagne to the glass to fill the glass.
Twist lemon zest until you see expressed oils come on the skin and drop it in the glass.
Nutrition
Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 75mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin C: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles
ABOUT LYUBA
I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...
