French 75
Crisp citrus, gentle sweetness and a stream of Champagne bubbles lift gin's herbal perfume into something truly festive.
Ingredients
- Gin, London Dry or a floral gin, ideally40 ml
- Champagne, cold, brut by preferencetop up
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed20 ml
- Simple syrup (1 part Sugar, 1 part Water)10 ml
- Lemon, to garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- Chill a Champagne flute or coupe thoroughly.
- Pour the gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Strain into the cold glass, without ice.
- Top gently with cold Champagne to preserve the bubbles.
- Twist a strip of lemon peel over the drink to release its oils, and drop it in or hang it on the rim.
About this drink
The French 75 emerged in Paris during the First World War and took its name from the French 75 mm field gun, a nod to the drink's powerful but elegant kick. Harry's New York Bar in Paris is often credited as its birthplace, where gin, lemon and sugar first met sparkling wine in the same glass. Today it is a classic celebration drink, as at home with a New Year's toast as at brunch.
Questions and answers
Why is it called the French 75?
The name comes from a French field gun of the First World War; the drink was said to hit just as hard. Gin, lemon and Champagne in one glass give it a solid kick beneath the elegant bubbles.
Can you make a French 75 with cognac?
Yes, it is a recognised variation. Cognac in place of gin gives a warmer, rounder drink than gin's sharp juniper, with the same kick beneath the bubbles.
Why add the Champagne last and without ice?
Ice would dilute the precise measures too quickly, and the Champagne should only meet the already ice-cold gin and lemon just before serving, so the bubbles last as long as possible.
