• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Charming Cocktails
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Shop
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Amazon
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home All Cocktails

    French 75

    Published: Jul 8, 2022 · Modified: Dec 27, 2023 by Kimberly · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Side view of French 75 cocktail in a champagne flute with flowers and ingredients in the background and the text French 75 overlaid.

    The French 75 is an elegant, versatile and delicious cocktail. Made with just four ingredients, it's simple to put together and easy to enjoy! Fresh lemon juice, dry gin and Champagne make for a classic combination of flavors.

    Side view of French 75 cocktail in a Champagne flute with a long curly lemon peel garnish and flowers and ingredients in the background.

    The French 75 is one of the most popular cocktails in the world! It looks super elegant, but it's actually named after a giant field gun that the French used during World War I.

    This is the perfect celebration drink for New Year's Eve. It's also a delicious drink to enjoy during the summer months!

    For a different spin on this drink, check out my recipe for an Amaretto French 75. Or, this Vodka Champagne cocktail is an easy and delicious sparkling drink. Not a gin drinker? Try the French 76 cocktail instead, or go for a Kir Imperial with raspberry liqueur!

    Jump to:
    • History of the French 75
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Top tip - DIY cocktail station for a party
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    History of the French 75

    Originating in Paris, the classic French 75 cocktail is now enjoyed worldwide. Named after the powerful French 75mm field gun used in World War One, the original French 75 recipe was a mix of cognac with champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. Later, gin replaced cognac, adding a botanical twist.

    The drink's history is a little murky, but its creation is often credited to Harry MacElhone of Harry's New York Bar in Paris.

    The French 75 gained fame in the 1920s and '30s, especially in the U.S. When it was featured in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, its popularity soared even more. Its mix of bright lemon with bubbly Champagne has kept it a popular drink for over a century!

    French 75 cocktail in a champagne flute with lemon peel garnish and cocktail ingredients off to the side.

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this drink:

    • Gin - you can use any gin, but a London Dry style of gin is the gold standard for this drink. I used Highclere Castle gin, but Bombay Sapphire is a great one too. For a more modern style, try Hendrick's gin.
    • Champagne - the recipe calls for true Champagne, but you can make this drink with any sparkling wine. Champagne is a little less sweet than Prosecco and has more of a yeasty flavor. Cava is a great option for this drink too, as it's pretty similar to Champagne in style. Don't break the bank on this one! Look for a non-vintage Champagne like this Laurent-Perrier La Cuve Blend.
    • Lemon Juice - preferably fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. You can use the peel for garnish too!
    • Simple Syrup - you can make homemade simple syrup, or use a store bought syrup. The sweetness of this drink will vary based on the type and style of Champagne you use, so you may enjoy a little extra syrup if you're using a Brut (dry) style of Champagne.
    Ingredients to make a French 75 cocktail on a mirrored gold tray.

    Variations

    This cocktail is simple, but that means that it can be changed around and switched up depending on how you like it! In fact, lots of different newer classics have come from varying this recipe. Here are some ways to change it up:

    • Vodka French 75 (aka French 76) - switch out the gin for for vodka in this spinoff drink. You can garnish with a lemon peel, or use a maraschino cherry at the bottom of the glass instead.
    • Elderflower French 75 (aka French 77) - use St Germain elderflower liqueur in place of the simple syrup for this floral take.
    • Amaretto French 75 - swap in Amaretto liqueur in place of the simple syrup.
    • Grapefruit French 75 - instead of lemon juice, try using fresh grapefruit juice instead. It's a delicious combination!
    Side view of French 75 cocktail with a long curly lemon peel garnish, and flowers and cocktail ingredients in the background.

    Equipment

    This cocktail is traditionally shaken with ice before adding the Champagne. Here are the tools you'll need:

    • Cocktail shaker and strainer - the standards for cocktail shakers are either a a two-piece Boston shaker with a Hawthorne strainer, or a shaker with a built in strainer called a Cobbler shaker. Either work fine and it depends on your personal preference.
    • Fine mesh strainer - optional but recommended to get out large bits of lemon.
    • Jigger or small measuring cup.
    • Cocktail serving glass - preferably a stemmed glass like a Champagne flute, a white wine glass or a coupe glass.

    If you need any new bar equipment, I really love the products from A Bar Above! When you use my discount code, LKDrinks, you can get 10% off your purchase (either for bar products, or for their mixology class!) Their bar tools are really durable, and also can be thrown in the dishwasher when you're done mixing.

    Instructions

    Start out by creating your garnish if you're going to use one. To make a long lemon twist like in the photos, cut a large piece of lemon peel. Use a paring knife or an xacto knife to clean up the edges and cut it into a long strip. Then, twist it around the handle of a bar spoon and set it aside while you make the drink.

    Hands using an xacto knife to cut up a lemon peel.
    Hands wrapping a thin strip of lemon peel around a bar spoon.

    Start building the drink by adding the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

    Hand pouring gin from a jigger into a cocktail shaker.
    Hand pouring lemon juice from a jigger into a cocktail shaker.

    Add ice to the cocktail shaker and give it a good shake, about 15-20 times, so the drink gets chilled and diluted.

    Adding ice to a cocktail shaker using a metal ice scoop.
    Hands shaking a gold and glass cocktail shaker.

    Strain into a Champagne flute. If you can, use both a regular strainer and a fine mesh strainer to get out any leftover lemon bits or ice chips. Then, top the drink with Champagne.

    Hand pouring a cocktail into a champagne flute using a fine strainer.
    Topping up a cocktail in a champagne flute using sparkling wine.

    Add the lemon twist garnish to the glass, and serve.

    Hand adding a lemon twist to the rim of a champagne flute.
    Hand about to pick up cocktail in a champagne flute.

    Hint: To keep your drink cold longer, you can chill your glass beforehand. You can place it in a freezer for about 30 minutes, or you can add an ice-and-water mixture to the glass for a few minutes while you make the drink. Discard the mixture just before pouring the drink.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is a French 75 strong?

    Despite its elegant look, the French 75 is a pretty strong drink. It depends on the ratio and amounts of gin and Champagne that you use, but my recipe is around 16% alcohol by volume (ABV). It's stronger than Champagne itself, but not as strong as a Martini.

    What does a French 75 taste like?

    The French 75 is meant to be citrusy and dry, with some herbal notes from the gin. It is pretty light and crisp, but it does pack a punch, and is stronger than Champagne alone.

    What glass do you serve a French 75 in?

    The French 75 is typically served in a Champagne flute. It is not served with ice, so it should be served in a stemmed glass. That way, your hand won't warm up the drink too fast.

    Top tip - DIY cocktail station for a party

    A French 75 is a fun drink to set up for a do-it-yourself cocktail station. You can even have a container of orange juice available so your guests can choose whether to make this or a Mimosa!

    To set it up, about an hour before the party, juice your lemons and mix together the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a pitcher. Add in about ½ ounce of filtered water per cocktail, and chill in the fridge until you're ready to set up.

    To set up your cocktail station, fill a bucket or cooler with ice. Set your pitcher of pre-made cocktail mix along with an opened bottle of Champagne onto the ice. Add a printed sign with the cocktail recipe, and set up your serving glasses next to the bucket for your guests to grab. Cheers!

    📖 Recipe

    Side view of French 75 cocktail with a long curly lemon peel garnish, and flowers and cocktail ingredients in the background.

    French 75

    Kimberly Salem
    This classic cocktail is an elegant and strong blend of gin, Champagne, lemon juice and sugar syrup.
    5 from 1 vote
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American, French
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 169 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Cocktail shaker and strainer
    • 1 Cocktail serving glass (Champagne flute)
    • 1 Fine mesh strainer (optional but recommended)
    • 1 Knife and cutting board (if using fresh citrus)
    • 1 Citrus juicer (if using fresh citrus)
    • 1 Vegetable peeler (optional - for lemon peel garnish)
    • 1 Xacto knife (optional - for garnish)
    • 1 Citrus channel knife (optional - instead of vegetable peeler and xacto knife)
    • 1 Champagne bottle opener (optional)

    Ingredients

    Garnish

    • lemon peel

    Cocktail

    • 1½ ounce gin
    • ¾ ounce lemon juice
    • ½ ounce simple syrup (if you like sweeter drinks, add ¾ ounce)
    • 2 ounces Champagne

    Instructions
     

    Garnish

    • Use a vegetable peeler or a citrus channel knife to cut a long, thin strip of lemon peel. Clean up the peel's edges with an xacto knife if you used a vegetable peeler.
    • Wrap the lemon peel strip around something long and thin, like a bar spoon handle, and set aside while you make the drink.

    Cocktail

    • Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
    • Fill the shaker with ice and shake well, about 15-20 times.
    • Strain the drink through a regular strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the cocktail serving glass.
    • Pour the Champagne into the serving glass.
    • Add the lemon peel garnish and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 13mgPotassium: 82mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword alcohol, Champagne, cocktail, gin, lemon
    Subscribe for more!Join our email list for weekly recipes!
    Made with WP Recipe Maker plugin

    If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a recipe! Cheers!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Subscribe to the Charming Cocktails email list
    A graphic that says "New! Want to mix up some more delicious drinks? Click here to grab my new eBook, Wine Time, all about wine cocktails!" On the right is an image of a tablet and phone showing the cover of the eBook.
    Kim, the blog author

    I'm Kim, a cocktail enthusiast (and cold brew coffee lover). Here you'll find recipes, tips and tricks to make delicious cocktails at home! More about me →

    • Instagram
    • Link to Limoncello Kitchen YouTube channel.
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Side view of a Lavender Mule vodka cocktail on a gray countertop. The drink is in a gold and glass mug with a lime slice and dried lavender sprigs as garnish. In the background are a bottle of lavender syrup, some bar tools, and a cut lime on a wooden cutting board.
      Lavender Mule
    • Side view of a pink colored Floradora gin cocktail. Bar tools and ingredients are in the background.
      Floradora Cocktail
    • Side view of a Lychee mocktail garnished with mint and a lychee along with lime zest sugar on the side of the glass. In the background are flowers, a jigger, a dish of lychees and fresh mint.
      Lychee Mocktail
    • Slightly overhead photo of a Lavender Lime gin spritz cocktail. The drink is a pinkish purple color and garnished with a lime slice and lavender sprigs.
      Lavender Lime Gin Spritz
    • Martini glass with a Blueberry Lemon Drop cocktail. The drink is red with blue sugar rim and garnished with a lemon slice and blueberries.
      Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini
    • Pink whitney cocktail, garnished and ready to serve.
      Pink Whitney Drink | Pink Whitney Lemonade Martini 

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Shop eBooks
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy

    Social

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook

    Contact

    • Contact Me
    • Photo Portfolio

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020-2025 Kimberly Salem Photography, LLC

    Side view of French 75 cocktail in a champagne flute with flowers and ingredients in the background and the text French 75 overlaid.
    Manage Cookie Consent
    We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
    Functional cookies Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.