French 75
A crisp union of gin, lemon, sugar, and Champagne that delivers bracing bubbles with artillery-level snap.
19%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
flute
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“Most accounts trace the French 75 to 1915 at the New York Bar (later Harry's) in Paris, where a gin-and-Champagne mash-up was said to hit like the French 75mm field gun. Early recipes sometimes used cognac, but the gin version gained fame in the 1930 *Savoy Cocktail Book* and WWII-era U.S. bars. Its blend of lively bubbles and sharp citrus has kept it a celebratory staple ever since.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a Champagne flute
Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice until frosty
Double-strain into the flute
Top gently with chilled Champagne
Express a long lemon twist over the glass and drop in
Glassware
Served in a champagne flute
Garnish
Expressed lemon twist
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Chill all ingredients and glassware for maximum fizz
Never shake Champagne—always top gently
A long lemon twist adds aroma and classic presentation
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the French 75.
Meyer Lemon 75
Uses sweeter Meyer lemon for a softer citrus profile.
Changes
French 76
Swaps gin for vodka, yielding a cleaner, neutral backdrop.
Changes
French 95
Bourbon-based riff for a richer, oakier profile.
Changes
French 125
Reverts to the drink's Cognac roots for a luxurious twist.
Changes
French 77
Adds elderflower liqueur and often uses Prosecco for a floral sparkle.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Bramble
Dick Bradsell's 1980s London creation layers dry gin, fresh citrus and rich blackberry liqueur over a mound of crushed ice for a tart, jammy refresher.
Gin Basil Smash
Jörg Meyer's modern classic from Hamburg blending gin, lemon, and fresh basil for a vibrant green smash.
Tom Collins
Classic gin, lemon, sugar and soda highball—effervescent, citrusy, and named for its Old Tom gin roots.