Tap here to get 5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

French 75 Recipe

5 from 1 vote
|

updated: 05/13/25

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
|
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

This French 75 recipe is the perfect cocktail to wow party guests without a lot of fuss. Made with champagne, gin, and simple syrup, this is the perfect drink to make for a celebration, ladies’ night, or date night in.

Photo of two French 75 cocktails. Bottles of gin and champagne for cocktail are behind the cocktails.

While so many people enjoy popping a nice cold bottle of Champagne, sometimes it doesn’t occur to turn that bottle of bubbly into a great cocktail recipe. I always have fun playing bartender and love the idea of Champagne being the beginning of a great cocktail. Given that I am also a huge fan of gin, the French 75 is one of my favorite cocktails.

What is a French 75

A delicious, classic cocktail made with Champagne, gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice, this historic spirit has been around since the World War I era. It gets its name from the French 75mm field gun, as it was said that a sip was as strong as the firearm.

Close up photo of French 75 cocktail. Bottles of gin and champagne are behind cocktail.

French 75 Ingredients

This citrusy, refreshing French 75 drink is so easy to make. For the full recipe including measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Gin: The base of a French 75, I prefer Bombay Sapphire gin.
  • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is always best for cocktails, but you can use bottled in a pinch.
  • Simple syrup: While you can purchase this in the liquor section, it is so easy to make at home. See below for a link to our homemade recipe that only requires two ingredients.
  • Cold Champagne: I recommend something on the drier side since you are already adding simple syrup to this cocktail. Prosecco also works well in this French 75 recipe. You can read all the differences between the two here.

Simple Syrup

This Simple Syrup recipe is an essential for your favorite cocktails and is so easy to make!
Photo of a spoon over a jar of Simple Syrup recipe. Lime wedges, cocktail jigger, and bottles of cointreau, gin, and bitters beside jar.

How to Make A French 75

Here is a brief overview of how this French 75 recipe comes together. For the full recipe, including measurements of all the ingredients, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step 1: Combine Ingredients

Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a Champagne flute.

Step 2: Add Champagne

Top with chilled, freshly-opened bubbly and give it a gentle stir. Enjoy!

Photo of person's hand pouring champagne into flutes for French 75 cocktail. Bottle of gin is in the background.
TOP PICK

Champagne Glasses

I love all the glasses that JoyJolt puts out, and these are no exception! So delicate and beautiful.
Product Image

French 75 Variations

A classic French 75 cocktail is made with gin, but there are so many fun ways that you can spin this great cocktail.

  • A French 76 is made with vodka instead of gin.
  • The French 95 is made with bourbon, and let me tell you, it packs one delicious punch.
  • Replace the gin and simple syrup with St. Germain liqueur and you have a French 77.
  • Make a French 125 by swapping the gin for Cognac.
  • Add in 1/4 ounce Pernod (a French anise-based liqueur) and make a French 69.
Close up photo of French 75 cocktail garnished with lemon peel. Bottles of gin and champagne are in the background along with a measuring cup.

Other Great Gin Cocktails

If you love your gin just as much as I do, you will love these other gin cocktails. I am truly a heartfelt fan of all of them (pssst, don’t tell the others, but the Moscow Mule with Gin is my favorite).

If you try this French 75 cocktail recipe or any of my others, please leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

Photo of two French 75 cocktails. Bottles of gin and champagne for cocktail are behind the cocktails.
5 from 1 vote

French 75 Recipe

Serves: 1 cocktail
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
This French 75 recipe is the perfect cocktail to wow party guests without a lot of fuss. Made with Champagne, gin, and simple syrup, this is the perfect drink to make for a celebration, ladies' night, or date night in!

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces gin see note
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 ounces champagne chilled

Instructions

  • Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a Champagne flute.
  • Top with Champagne and stir gently.

Notes

  1. I prefer Bombay Sapphire for gin cocktails, but if you want a lower-cost option, Hendrick’s gin and Tanqueray are great. 
  2. To garnish your cocktail with a lemon twist, cut a single strip of lemon peel and twist it up to hang off the edge of your champagne flute.
Serving: 1cocktail Calories: 202kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) Protein: 0.1g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 13mg (1%) Potassium: 82mg (2%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 12g (13%) Vitamin A: 1IU Vitamin C: 8mg (10%) Calcium: 8mg (1%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: champagne cocktail, french 75, french 75 cocktail, french 75 recipe
Photo of two French 75 cocktails. Bottles of gin and champagne for cocktail are behind the cocktails.

did you make this

French 75 Recipe

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love hearing from you & seeing what you made!

    Rate This Recipe:




  1. Tia says

    I’ve never heard of this before, or have I seen it in a menu! It’s a shame cause any version of the French cocktail sounds great and I look forward to trying them 😎🥂

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you give it a try! And you aren’t wrong. I’ve met plenty of bar tenders who have never heard of it, and I literally pull up my blog and hand them my phone to make the recipe.

  2. Carol A Odasso says

    I am not a lover of gin but love Prosecco and the one you have pictured is my favorite brand. Will try with vodka and anxious to try with cognac. THANKS FOR THE DRINK RECIPES. .

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you love it!

SUPER-SIMPLEFAMILY FAVORITES
25 Minute Broccoli Pasta Recipe"Omg! I didn’t think anything so simple could be so good!"
overhead of skillet of Cajun Shrimp Pasta ingredients on a cooling rack with toasted bread sitting beside
Cajun Shrimp Pasta"My family absolutely loved this recipe. Even my finicky eaters."
overhead photo of a gray skillet filled with beef and broccoli recipe, garnished with sliced green onions
Beef and Broccoli Recipe"I have made this a couple or more times. It’s easy & quick to prepare. I like this for a quick meal. It will be my go to recipe."

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

5 Secrets to Make Amazing Cocktails

5 Secrets to Stress Free Dinners

SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE

MY TOP 10 EASY DINNER EBOOK!