Celebrate any occasion with a French 75, a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, a little simple syrup, and topped with champagne (or prosecco). It’s refreshing, elegant, and a crowd favorite!
It’s a Tom Collins but better; instead of finishing with club soda, a French 75 is topped with champagne or your favorite bubbly. Yes, please! Wondering where the French 75 got its name? French 75 cocktails date way back to World War I, named after the French 75mm field gun. The combo of gin and champagne had a similar “kick” to the recoil of the gun. Sign me up!
I love this French 75 recipe because it’s a cocktail that uses ingredients that I almost always have on hand, and it takes 5 minutes to make like my Espresso Martini Recipe. Whether you’re celebrating Friday, or you want to make a big batch for a brunch (with Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins) or bridal shower, I bet French 75 cocktails will be your go-to.
It’s not just a summer cocktail either. Think of your New Years Eve champagne toast that just got way better!
Ingredients
You’ll only need 4 ingredients plus ice to make a French 75 cocktail:
- Champagne or dry prosecco – you really don’t need to whip out a $100 champagne for this cocktail since there are other flavors going on! Use a solid, dry bubbly.
- Gin – gin is classic in this cocktail. Gin’s herbaceous, botanical flavors are a perfect match with the lemon juice. You can use vodka or even cognac if you aren’t a gin person.
- Fresh lemon juice – fresh is key. You’ll also want to save the lemon peel to make a classic lemon twist garnish!
- Granulated sugar – instead of buying a whole bottle of simple syrup just for this cocktail, I’ll show you how to make a super small batch of your own in 2 minutes. All you need is standard granulated sugar and water.
Watch How to Make a French 75 Cocktail
Variations & Tips
- Instead of a champagne glass, you can use a martini glass. Martini glasses are usually bigger so there will be less volume in your glass.
- No cocktail shaker? Stir it instead!
- Like them strong?Add more gin (2 ounces gin and 1 ounce champagne).
- You can use vodka or cognac instead of gin if preferred.
- Try lime instead of lemon juice.
How to Make a French 75
Let’s make a French 75 cocktail at home! Full instructions in the recipe card; this is just an outline!
- Stir.
Stir together granulated sugar and water in a small bowl for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add.
Add ice, sugar-water, lemon juice, and gin to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake.
Shake for 15 seconds.
- Strain.
Strain cocktail into a champagne glass, leaving ice in the shaker.
- Top.
Top with 2 ounces of champagne.
- Garnish.
Use a vegetable peeler to peel a thin ribbon of yellow zest around the circumference of the lemon. Twist the lemon ribbon so it has a delicate spiral shape. Let the lemon twist hang decoratively in the glass.
More Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love!
Classic French 75 Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker (or stir your cocktail)
- Vegetable peeler (for garnish)
- Champagne flute (or martini glass)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cold champagne or dry prosecco
- 1 ounce gin
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, plus lemon peel to garnish
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, plus 1 teaspoon room temp water
- Ice
Instructions
- Stir together granulated sugar and water in a small bowl or glass for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add ice, sugar-water (homemade simple syrup), lemon juice, and gin to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
- Strain cocktail into a champagne glass (flute), leaving ice in the shaker.
- Top with 2 ounces of champagne. If there’s a little extra room, add an extra splash.
- Garnish with a lemon twist by using a vegetable peeler to peel a thin ribbon of yellow zest around the circumference of the lemon. Twist the lemon ribbon so it has a delicate spiral shape (it doesn’t need to be perfect!). Let hang decoratively in the glass. Cheers!
Video
Notes
- You can use a martini glass instead! Martini glasses tend to be a bit bigger so keep in mind there will be less volume in your glass.
- Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can stir it!
- Like your cocktails strong? Add 2 ounces gin and 1 ounce champagne.
- You can use vodka or cognac if preferred.
- If you want to use premade simple syrup, you’ll need about ½ ounce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m not much of a cocktail drinker, but I made this recipe for a summer party and it was a huge hit. It’s cool, fresh and bubbly — all of the ingredients one needs on a hot summer night.
Definitely 5 Stars…
That’s the best compliment since you are not a cocktail drinker! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Grace
Absolutely divine cocktail!
So simple and so good right? 🙂
Grace
I’m a super fan of Tom Collins cocktails so I saw this and flipped. It’s AMAZING and my new go-to.
It’s mine now too! Can’t beat anything with champagne too 🙂
Grace