French 75 Cocktail Recipe

Add this easy French 75 cocktail recipe to our growing list of gin cocktails, because it’s going to be a major hit! It’s a simple recipe that dresses up nicely for a celebration or fun event.

I’ve been loving sharing all different types of ways to make a cocktail using gin, from our Bee’s Knees to a more simple Gin Rickey.

Gin often gets a bad rap for having a strong flavor (sometimes described as reminiscent to a pine tree). But this is one gin cocktail you’ll find that this is smooth, citrusy, sweet, and absolutely lovely to drink!

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The History of the French 75 Cocktail

I love a cocktail with history, and this one is fascinating. The French 75 cocktail is named for a World War I military gun (the 75 millimeter Howitzer field gun) used by the French, which was known for its rapid fire.

The French 75 was first published widely in a book called “Here’s How” by Judge Jr. Published in 1927 during Prohibition, the cocktail soon was also included in “The Savoy Cocktail Book” by Harry Craddock, which made it a staple in bars and homes far and wide. (If you’re a fan of vintage cocktail books, this is a must have!)

However, it’s not certain who exactly invented the French 75. Combining champagne and gin was a common practice and the cocktail may have just sprung out of experimentation.

It was often initially made with cognac rather than gin, which is a perfectly lovely substitution!

How to Order a French 75 in France

If you find yourself in a swanky French bar and would like to order a French 75, just call it Soixante-Quinze! That’s French for “75.”

I have to say, I dream pretty often of being back in Paris one day at a lovely bar and being able to order one of these beautiful cocktails there. For now, I’ll keep making them at home!

Substitutions to Try

Making substitutions to this French 75 cocktail recipe is a fun way to make it your own! You can’t really go wrong once you know the ratios of the ingredients.

Substitute Cognac for Gin. Try substituting cognac for the gin and make an old-school French 75. Cognac may bring a bit of a more rich, sophisticated flavor.

Substitute Pink Bubbles for Champagne. This is a fun, pink twist on the classic French 75 cocktail recipe. You can see exactly how we made this pretty pink Gin and Prosecco cocktail here.

Substitute an Infused Simple Syrup. Traditionally, a plain simple syrup is used to sweeten the French 75. However, you could try a syrup that has a fun flavor infused to add a bit of a twist. Try something citrusy or floral for a fresh take.

When to Serve a French 75

The perfect time for a French 75? Whenever you’d like one! But for me, I particularly love serving these at brunch

It’s a perfect change-up from the traditional mimosa or bellini cocktails when you’re brunching. The drink is light and refreshing, very smooth, and packs a punch (don’t let it sneak up on you!).

It’s also a perfect cocktail recipe to serve for special occasions! Birthday parties, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, showers, weddings and more would all be great times to serve a French 75.

It feels special and a little elevated because of the fact that it’s a champagne cocktail, but it’s incredibly easy and quick to make. You can serve plenty of them very quickly, which makes it a good idea for parties or large events as well.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this French 75 cocktail recipe you just need four simple ingredients!

Champagne. Don’t worry about a particularly fancy champagne here if you’re on a budget. We’ve tried this with everything from Andre Brut to Veuve Clicquot and they all produce a lovely cocktail. If you’re well-versed in champagne, you may like something a bit on the higher end to really make a crisp and delicious cocktail.

Gin. For this cocktail, I like a gin that has citrusy notes so that it picks up the fresh lemon juice. Malfy con Limone is particularly refreshing if you’re looking for something new to try. Otherwise, any gin you have on hand will certainly do the trick. You can also make your own gin like we did here.

Simple Syrup. If you don’t have simple syrup on hand you can make some easily! In a saucepan, mix one part sugar and one part water over heat until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool and you’ve made your own simple syrup. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to four weeks.

Fresh Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are one of my secrets to making cocktails that have that extra something. They make your drink feel more fresh, light, and crisp. For this recipe I used meyer lemons but any lemon will do.

French 75 Cocktail Recipe

Now that you know all about it I’m sure your mouth is watering for a French 75! It’s incredibly easy and quick to make.

Ingredients

• 1 oz gin
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3-4 oz champagne
• ice
• optional: lemon rind for garnish

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
2. Add your gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a champagne flute or coupe glass.
4. Top slowly with champagne to fill the glass.
5. If you’d like to add a lemon twist for garnish, see our instructions for making your own easy lemon twists.

More Ideas to Try

If you like this French 75 cocktail recipe, I think you’re going to love some of our others! Check out some of our most popular drinks from our cocktail library, below.

• Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail Recipe
• Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
• Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
• How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
• Golden Irish Mule
• Rose Cordial Spring Cocktail
• Salty Dog Summer Cocktail Recipe
• Aperol Spritz Recipe
• How to Make a Mezcal Mule
• How to Make a Kir Royale
• Tinto de Verano Wine Cocktail
• Spaghett Beer Cocktail
• Tequila Sparkler Cocktail

Have fun! Be sure to give us a review below if you try out and love the French 75! xoxo

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