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!
Table of Contents
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.
In this cocktail, 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
- Gin – 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.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh is best!
- Sparkling Wine – About the bubbles… You can use prosecco, cava, champagne, whatever your favorite sparkling wine might be.
- Simple Syrup – Or, swap in this honey simple syrup.
Making the simple syrup
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! (You can also buy it premade in stores.)
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Water
- Sugar
That’s it! 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. You can also make it in the microwave!
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…
Tip: Prefer not to use sugar? You can also make this honey simple syrup.
How to make a French 75 cocktail
- 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.
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. After that, it’s just one more step – Top the whole thing off with bubbles.
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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Full Recipe
French 75 Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice (fresh squeezed )
- 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.
Nutrition
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!
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