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.
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 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.
French 75 Ingredients
This citrusy, refreshing French 75 cocktail is so easy to make. For the full measurements see the recipe card int he bottom of the post.
- Gin: See my recommendation for what gin to use below.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed citrus juice 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.
- Cold champagne: See more on how this plays into the flavor of your French 75 below.
How to Make Simple Syrup
How to Make 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.
- Combine ingredients. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake. Give it a good shake, combining all that delicious flavor.
- Pour into glasses. Strain into champagne flutes.
- Add champagne. Top with refreshing bubbly and give it a gentle stir.
Best Gin for French 75
As with any liquor you can find gin at multiple different price points and quality levels. Our preference is always Bombay Sapphire. While it is often the cheapest of these options, it is what we pick hands down in blind taste tests.
- On the high end of price points, you will find Monkey 47, considered a premium gin.
- Lower on the price list, you will find Hendrick’s and Tanqueray.
- Below both of those in terms of price – though not quality – is Bombay Sapphire. I love it in my Gin and Tonic too.
As with anything, you should pick what works best for you.
Champagne Glasses
Champagne vs. Prosecco
You will notice that this recipe calls for champagne and in the photos you will see us using Prosecco. Both work very well in this recipe. You can read all the differences between the two here.
The type of sparkling wine you use is totally up to you. I would recommend something on the drier side since you are already adding simple syrup to this cocktail. If you like very sweet drinks then get any sweet sparkling white wine that speaks to you. Open your champagne just prior to making the drink to keep the bubbles fresh.
For the Garnish
You can use a lemon peeler to give it that nice little garnish or you can cut a single strip of lemon rind and twist it up, finally hanging it off the edge of your champagne flute.
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.
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 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!
French 75
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces champagne
Instructions
- Mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup together in a cocktail shaker with ice until very cold.
- Strain into champagne flutes.
- Top with champagne and stir gently.
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 😎🥂
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.