French 75 (Classic Gin and Champagne Cocktail)
A French 75 is gin, fresh lemon juice and a little simple syrup, shaken ice cold, strained into a flute and topped with Champagne. It’s bright, dry and goes down a little too smoothly, which is why it’s been a celebration drink for more than a hundred years.
The ratio: 1½ ounces gin, ½ ounce lemon juice, ½ ounce simple syrup and 3 ounces Champagne. Five minutes, start to finish.
I came to this drink backward. My first French 75 was the cognac version in New Orleans, and it took a little digging to learn that the better-known original cocktail uses gin. Both deserve a spot at your New Year’s Eve party, but this is the one most bartenders think of when you order a French 75.
What is a French 75?
The French 75 dates back to World War I-era Paris. The most common story is that it was named for the French 75mm field gun, because a couple of these land with about the same kick. Harry’s New York Bar in Paris usually gets the credit. The recipe was documented in print by the 1920s and was also included in The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.
I got into gin cocktails after taking a craft cocktail class where I watched the bartender fuss over every detail from the hand-made simple syrups to the serving glass and, of course, the garnish. The French 75 rewards that type of intentionality. With only five ingredients, each one matters.
French 75 ingredients:
- Gin – A London Dry like Tanqueray or Beefeater gives you the crisp classic. Hendrick’s or Bombay Sapphire make it more floral (Hendrick’s is my pick).
- Lemon Juice – Squeeze it yourself for the best flavor. Bottled juice doesn’t have nearly the same flavor, and it reads flat rather than bright.
- Simple Syrup – Equal parts water and sugar. Make your own with my recipe or buy a bottle.
- Bitters – (optional) not in the classic, but two drops of Peychaud’s or citrus bitters add complexity.
- Champagne or sparkling wine – French Brut Champagne, Spanish Cava, Champagne-adjacent Crémant or Italian Prosecco are all good options. Look for “Brut” on the label for the driest flavor.
- Lemon Twist – for garnish.
Best gin for a French 75
Use a gin you’d happily drink on its own, because it has nowhere to hide here. A London Dry (Tanqueray, Beefeater) keeps the drink crisp and juniper-forward, the way most bars make it. A softer, more floral gin like Hendrick’s leans into the lemon and the bubbles. That’s our house favorite for its herbal, botanical notes and smooth finish.
One reader made hers with Tanqueray Sevilla Orange gin, and I love that idea for a holiday version.
Making Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves, then cooled. Here’s my full simple syrup recipe, plus flavored versions like rhubarb and guava. For a French 75, stick with the basic 1:1. It sweetens the cocktail without the grit of granulated sugar.
How to make a French 75
1. Chill a flute or coupe glass in the freezer for 10 minutes while you prep. Cut the twist first. It’s a heck of a lot easier to get a long twist from a whole lemon than one you’ve already juiced. Use the channel tool on your zester to peel a long, thin strip, set it aside, then juice the lemon.
2. Add ice, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup (and bitters, if you’re using them) to a cocktail shaker. Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
3. Strain into the chilled glass.
4. Tilt the glass and slowly pour in the Champagne so it doesn’t foam over. Drop in the twist and serve.
A note on bitters:
Bitters aren’t part of the classic French 75, so skip them if you want the original. I like two drops of citrus bitters or Peychaud’s, a New Orleans favorite, for a little extra depth.
Champagne, Prosecco or Cava?
All champagne is sparkling wine; however, not all sparkling wine is champagne. To earn the name, it has to come from the Champagne region in France. However, that doesn’t mean you have to use it here, and to be honest, I don’t.
In my opinion, a good bottle of Champagne is wasted in a mixed drink. When I open “the good stuff,” I want to enjoy it on its own.
For a French 75, any dry sparkling wine works: Spanish Cava, French Crémant or Prosecco.
Prosecco is a touch fruitier and softer; Cava is closer to Champagne’s dry, toasty style. Look for Brut on the label for the driest bottle. Costco’s Kirkland Prosecco is a solid budget option.
French 75 vs. French 76 vs. French 125
- French 75: gin, lemon, simple syrup and Champagne. The original.
- French 76: the same drink made with vodka instead of gin.
- French 125: made with cognac. It’s richer and warmer, and it’s the version you’ll find at a lot of New Orleans bars. Here’s my Cognac French 75 if you want to try it.
How to make a pitcher of French 75s
Shaking drinks one at a time all night isn’t much of a party. For 8 cocktails, stir together 12 ounces of gin, 4 ounces of fresh lemon juice and 4 ounces of simple syrup in a pitcher. Refrigerate for at least an hour and up to 8 hours. Skip the ice in the pitcher; it waters down the drink.
To serve, pour about 2½ ounces of the base into each chilled flute and top with 3 ounces of cold sparkling wine. One 750 ml bottle covers all 8 drinks.
French 75 FAQs
Barely. The half ounce of simple syrup takes the edge off the lemon, but the drink finishes dry, especially with a Brut sparkling wine. It’s not saccharine.
Yes. Stir the gin, lemon juice and syrup with ice in a mason jar or tall glass for about 20 seconds, then strain into your flute. Top with sparkling wine.
A Champagne flute keeps the bubbles going the longest. A coupe works too and looks great on a party tray.
Yes. It’s a little fruitier and softer than Champagne and costs a lot less.
Appetizers To Nibble With Your Cocktail:
- Oysters on the Half Shell
- Veal and Pork Country Pâté
- Savory Palmiers
- Smoked Salmon Canapés
- Sausage Cheese Balls
- Bite-Sized Mushroom Tart
- Accras De Morue
- 37 Holiday Appetizers & Hors D’oeuvres
More Sparkling and Holiday Cocktails:
- Cognac French 75
- Bloody Champagne Bellini
- Champagne Passion Fruit Cocktail
- Grapefruit Mimosas
- Sparkling Elderflower Prosecco Cocktail with Honey Syrup
- Cranberry Mimosa
- Winter White Cosmo
French 75
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup ice
- lemon peel for garnish
- 1½ ounces gin I used Hendrick’s
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 2 drops bitters optional
- 3 ounces sparkling wine
- 1 long, thin strip lemon peel (use a zester) for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
- Chill a champagne flute in the freezer for 10 minutes. A cold glass will keep the drink colder longer.
- Use a channel tool or vegetable peeler to create the cocktail garnish from lemon peel for garnish. A channel tool makes narrow twists, while a vegetable peeler makes wider ones. Either way works.
- Cut the lemon and squeeze the juice for the cocktail.
- Add 1 cup ice to a cocktail shaker. Pour in 1½ ounces gin, ½ ounce lemon juice, ½ ounce simple syrup and 2 drops bitters.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the outside of the cocktail shaker is frosty.
- Strain the cocktail into a flute glass and top with 3 ounces sparkling wine. Garnish with 1 long, thin strip lemon peel.
RECIPE VIDEO:
NOTES:
- No shaker? Stir with ice in a mason jar for 20 seconds and strain.
- Prosecco, Cava or Crémant all work in place of Champagne.
- For a crowd, see the pitcher method in the post: 12 oz gin, 4 oz lemon juice and 4 oz simple syrup make 8 drinks.
- Want it richer? Swap the gin for cognac. Here’s my Cognac French 75.
NUTRITION:
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate only and is provided as a courtesy. Values are calculated automatically based on the ingredients and quantities in each recipe and may vary depending on specific brands, exact measurements, and substitutions made. For precise nutritional guidance, especially if you have a medical condition or dietary restriction, please consult a registered dietitian or run the ingredients through your own nutrition calculator.Pin This Gin and Champagne Cocktail For Later!
I had a French 75 the other day at an event! Was so turned on cause of the taste and many of my favorite ingredients! Went so far as to ask what else was in it when I googled gin and champagne leading me to this article! Can’t wait to make this my staple go-to drink of choice!!!!
So good. Used Tanqueray Sevilla Orange gin for a twist.
I’m on the fence about this, because shaking good quality gin actually bruises the gin, taking away the subtle additional flavor profiles of your gin. If you’re shaking, might as well go with Gordon’s. You won’t be able to tell a difference. If you’re using higher-end gin, find a tall glass and a long spoon, stirring gently until condensation builds up. All the other components are spot on, however.
Have had these at our next door neighbor’s house one evening and loved them. I do NOT have a cocktail shaker, so I’m going with stirred and strained into a cold glass.
Will be drinking these while I cook a small turkey breast, dressing, cranberry relish, mashed potatoes and gravy for wife and me Thanksgiving evening.
Wish me luck!!
Enjoy! I could sip these every night!
I’m not usually big on gin and tonics, but the simple syrup and bitters totally have my attention! I also like that the champagne would make this not as intensive on the gin flavor! And I certainly need that lemon peel garnish tool!! #mixologydreams
I love classic French 75s! In fact, this is probably my favorite way to drink gin. Great recipe for a special occasion!
I had a French 75 a few months ago at a restaurant and it was lovely!! Thanks for sharing this recipe – can’t wait to try this at home.
Looks and sounds so refreshing and delicious! Perfect addition for any cocktail party!
Looks cooling and refreshing in taste. So elegant and perfect for parties. I’m saving this to give it a try. Love cocktails with sparkling wines.