French 75
French 75 is bright, brisk, and elegant, combining the botanical depth of gin with fresh lemon and the celebratory sparkle of Champagne. Served ice-cold with a twist of lemon, it is refreshing, crisp, and perfect for an aperitif or festive toast.
Ingredients
Cocktail
- 60 mlgin
- 30 mlfresh lemon juice
- 20 mlsimple syrup
- 120 mlChampagne or dry vegan sparkling wine
- 200 gice cubes
Garnish
- 2 pieceslemon twist
Instructions
- 1
Chill 2 flute or coupe glasses if possible. Fill a cocktail shaker with the ice cubes so the drink will chill quickly without over-diluting.
- 2
Add the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Shake hard for about 10-12 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold. This aerates the citrus and balances the sweetness evenly.
- 3
Strain the mixture evenly into the 2 chilled glasses, leaving room at the top for the sparkling wine.
- 4
Top each glass with Champagne or dry vegan sparkling wine. Pour slowly to preserve the bubbles and stir very gently once if needed to combine.
- 5
Express a lemon twist over each drink by twisting it over the surface to release the oils, then drop it in or place it on the rim. Serve immediately while lively and cold.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For a truly vegan version, choose a sparkling wine specifically labeled vegan, as some wines are clarified with animal-derived fining agents.
- •If you prefer a drier drink, reduce the simple syrup to 10-15 ml total.
- •Use freshly squeezed lemon juice; bottled juice makes the cocktail taste flat and harsh.
- •A coupe gives a classic presentation, while a flute keeps the bubbles longer.
Background
The French 75 is a classic cocktail named after the powerful French 75mm field gun, supposedly because of its sharp, spirited kick. It emerged in the early 20th century and became especially associated with Paris cocktail culture and celebratory drinking.
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