The French 75 takes its name from a fast, hard-hitting French field gun of the First World War — the joke being that the drink has a similar kick. Codified at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, it is a gin sour lengthened and lifted with Champagne: elegant, bright, and dangerously easy.
Gin, Not Cognac
There is a long-running argument over the base spirit — some old sources call for Cognac. The gin version is the one that endured, and the better one: gin's botanical snap cuts the Champagne cleanly, where Cognac blurs into it.
Either way the structure is a sour — spirit, lemon, sugar — that is then stretched and aerated by the sparkling wine into something far lighter than its strength suggests.
Shake, Then Top
Shake the gin, lemon, and syrup hard with ice to chill and combine them, and strain into a chilled flute. Then top with cold Champagne, poured slowly so it does not foam over.
Never shake the Champagne itself. A long lemon twist is the garnish — its oil is the last aromatic note before the bubbles.
Variations
The French 75 made with vodka — cleaner and crisper, citrus and bubbles in front.
- 1 ozVodka
- 1/2 ozLemon juice
- TopChampagne
The French 75 on bourbon — citrus and Champagne over a warm whiskey base.
- 1 ozBourbon
- 1/2 ozLemon juice
- TopChampagne
The French 75 built on Cognac — richer and rounder, and perhaps the true original.
- 1 ozCognac
- 1/2 ozLemon juice
- TopChampagne