The ‘French 75’ Cocktail Will Make You Feel Like You’re at a Fancy Restaurant

A French 75 is a great classic cocktail to celebrate milestones or special events with.
The ‘French 75’ Cocktail Will Make You Feel Like You’re at a Fancy Restaurant
This classic cocktail is a mix of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, with Champagne poured on top. Alex Lepe/TNS
Updated:
0:00

When I want a light cocktail before dinner or a drink to go with brunch, I always opt for the elegant French 75—not a classic mimosa. With a bright, sunny color, this sparkling, lemony cocktail is refreshing, crisp, and bright, with subtle notes of herbs from the gin.

A French 75 is a great classic cocktail to celebrate milestones or special events with (it just might be the ultimate Valentine’s Day libation!), but it’s also a great excuse to break open a bottle of champagne any day you feel like popping a cork. (And if you need help choosing the right bottle, we’ve got you covered in our champagne 101 guide.)

What Is a French 75?

A French 75 is a classic bubbly cocktail that contains gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. It was created at Harry’s Bar in Paris during World War 1, and the 75 in the name is said to refer to the 75-millimeter field guns used in the war. There has been some debate that the French 75 was originally made with cognac rather than gin, but it is now known as a gin-based cocktail.

Key Ingredients in a French 75

Lemon. You’ll need a whole lemon for its zest and juice. For a slightly more floral French 75, use a Meyer lemon instead.
Christine Gallary, TheKitchn.com
Christine Gallary, TheKitchn.com
Author
Christine Gallary is food editor-at-large for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to [email protected]. Copyright 2023 Apartment Therapy. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Related Topics