The French 95 keeps the lemon, sugar, and Champagne of the French 75 and sets them over bourbon. The whiskey gives the drink a warm, rounded base — a sparkling sour with more body and a little more heat.
The celebration drink, dressed for cooler weather.
Whiskey Under the Bubbles
Bourbon and Champagne is an unlikely pairing that works for the same reason the French 75 works at all: lemon and sugar mediate. The citrus bridges the whiskey's sweetness and the wine's dryness, and the bubbles lift the whole thing clear.
An Autumn 75
Where the French 75 is a spring and summer drink, the French 95 leans cooler. Bourbon's vanilla-and-oak warmth makes it a natural for autumn celebrations — a sparkling toast that does not feel out of place beside a fire.
Orange, Sometimes
Some French 95 recipes add a splash of orange juice alongside the lemon, rounding the drink further. It is optional — a matter of taste — but it suits the bourbon's sweetness well.
The French 75 Family
The classic — gin, lemon, sugar, and Champagne, a sour with a sparkling spine.
- 1 ozGin
- 1/2 ozLemon juice
- TopChampagne
The French 75 made with vodka — cleaner and crisper, citrus and bubbles in front.
- 1 ozVodka
- 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