French 75 Cocktail Recipe (Sparkling Wine Cocktail)

This French 75 cocktail recipe is festive, easy to make, and elegant. Plus – Bubbles!!! A sparkling wine cocktail always helps to make your party sparkle!

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I love the fact that the French 75 is a simple cocktail, yet the name, just makes it sound so obscure… French 75.  I had to do some research to learn where the name “French 75” actually came from…. I was thinking it was invented in France… In 1975.

Where did the French 75 originate

The French 75 cocktail is said to be created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris—and rumored to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun also commonly known as the French 75.

Gin combines with fresh lemon juice, the sweetness of simple syrup, and sparkling wine for a truly delicious, refreshing cocktail.

Because the ingredients are simple, you can have this fancy cocktail made for you at just about any bar… But, why not make it at home?

I promise that you don’t need to be a master mixologist to create this elegant drink.

Ingredients needed

Side view of French 75 cocktail garnished with lemon twist.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I see “simple syrup” listed in the ingredients, I’ll bypass the recipe all together – Because making the syrup seems like such a hassle. But really, it’s not!

What is simple syrup made of?

  • Water
  • Sugar

All you need to do is heat 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Then let the mixture cool. That’s it!

It took me all of three minutes. Plus, you’ll have plenty of the simple syrup leftover, and it will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator, meaning you can have a fancy cocktail every day of the week if you so choose… I mean you need something to drink with Real Housewives, right?

It is helpful to have a cocktail shaker on hand, so that you can shake up the gin, simple syrup and lemon juice with ice before pouring into your champagne flute.

However, if you don’t, that’s OK too! Just use a spoon to stir up those ingredients and then strain them into your glass using a fine mesh strainer… After that, it’s just one more step – Top the whole thing off with bubbles.

Bottle of sparkling wine pouring into cocktail glass.

About the bubbles… You can use prosecco, cava, champagne, whatever your favorite sparkling wine might be.

So, there you have it – A festive, elegant, simple to prepare cocktail. It’s a winner in my book and perfect for holiday parties, elegant brunches and even just Friday nights on the couch.

French 75 food pairings

More cocktails with sparkling wine

Not a gin fan? You can also make this cocktail with vodka, which turns it into a “French 76”. Learn all about the differences between gin vs. vodka here.

Did you try this French 75 cocktail recipe?

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Side view of French 75 cocktail garnished with lemon twist.

Sparkling Wine Cocktail (French 75)

This French 75 cocktail recipe is festive, easy to make, and elegant. Plus – Bubbles!!! A sparkling wine cocktail always helps to make your party sparkle!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce gin
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • Dry sparkling white wine
  • Lemon twist (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Combine gin, simple syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail strainer filled with ice. Shake well to chill ingredients and strain into a champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a twist of lemon. Serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 120mg | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin C: 5.5mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published in 2015. It was updated in 2019 to update the photographs, and again in 2023 to update the content. The recipe French 75 remains the same. Enjoy!  

26 thoughts on “French 75 Cocktail Recipe (Sparkling Wine Cocktail)”

    • It’s really not difficult, and it only takes a few minutes… I think I’m finally overcoming my aversion to recipes that call for simple syrup. Especially now that I have a bottle stashed away in the fridge!

      Reply
  1. Looks awesome! You can also dilute the extra simple sugar with more water (for a 1:4 ratio of sugar: water) and put it in your hummingbird feeder… Or, yeah, just drink more cocktails. 🙂

    Reply
  2. I never knew the reason for the name, so thanks for enlightening me! I think it’s a great celebratory cocktail, the only problem for me is that they disappear and my glass is empty way too easy and fast…. :O

    Reply
  3. Yum. I love a good French 75! And I just picked up a bottle of the local Aria gin (it’s sooo good!). I’m pretty sure I’ll be making one of these later this week.

    Reply
    • I’ve heard that cognac is an awesome addition as well Katie! I made mine with gin, because I always have it on hand. Next time I’ve got some cognac, I’m definitely going to give your recipe a try!!!

      Reply
  4. 5 stars
    Thank goodness I don’t need to be a fancy mixologist, because I def am not! But you’re right: I could make this French 75 cocktail, and now I can’t wait! I love that it doesn’t require any obscure ingredients, too. I’m definitely trying this!

    Reply
5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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