French Elegance in a Glass: My French 75 Cocktail Recipe

I first tried the “French 75” during dinner at one of Kyiv’s establishments. It was a small, cozy bar, and my glass, filled with champagne bubbles and notes of gin, was the perfect end to the evening. I was struck by its lightness and elegance! Since then, I started experimenting to recreate that same, ideal balance of flavor at home. And I must say, I succeeded.

I like this cocktail not only for its wonderful taste but also for its incredible simplicity of preparation. All ingredients can always be found in a good supermarket. This is the ideal drink to properly welcome guests or simply arrange a small romantic evening for yourself.

Ingredients for My “French 75”

This recipe is for one serving, but you can easily double or triple the amount of ingredients for a company.

• Dry Gin – 20 ml
• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice – 1 tbsp. (approx. 15 ml)
• Simple Syrup (homemade) – 1 tbsp. (approx. 15 ml)
• Chilled Champagne (or Prosecco) – to the top of the glass
• Lemon Zest Spiral – for garnish

Step-by-Step Cocktail Preparation

I always prepare the simple syrup in advance so that it has time to cool completely. My advice: make a little extra, it keeps perfectly in the refrigerator and will be useful for other drinks.

Step 1. Prepare Simple Syrup (If Needed)

For the syrup, I take three parts sugar to ten parts water (for example, 3 tbsp. of sugar to 100 ml of water). I heat the water, add the sugar, and stir until it completely dissolves. Crucially important: let the syrup cool to room temperature before using it.

Step 2. Mix the Cocktail Base

In a shaker or any other convenient container that closes tightly, I add ice. Then I pour in the gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and the prepared simple syrup. My personal advice: the lemon juice must be as fresh as possible; the purity of the taste depends on it.

Step 3. Shake and Strain

I shake the shaker vigorously for 15-20 seconds. I like it when the mixture becomes very cold. Then I strain the resulting mixture into a tall, pre-chilled champagne glass (flute or coupe). I always check to make sure no extra ice chips get into the glass.

Step 4. Top with Champagne and Garnish

I top the glass, almost to the brim, with very cold champagne or good prosecco. Important: you need to add it carefully to preserve as many bubbles as possible. Finally, I garnish the drink with a thin, elegant spiral of lemon zest.

Tips and Variations from Maria Dymka

1. Alcohol Substitution: If you don’t like gin, try replacing it with quality white tequila (you get an interesting, spicier variation) or aged white rum.
2. Proportions: If the champagne you are using is very dry (brut), you might want to add a little more syrup. Conversely, if you take semi-dry, reduce the amount of syrup. I always tastes the syrup-gin base before adding champagne.
3. Ideal Glass: Use a flute glass – it better preserves the drink’s effervescence.

I am convinced that this classic “French 75” recipe will become your lifesaver when you want something special, but without unnecessary effort. It is the perfect balance of strength, tartness, and fizziness.

Cook with pleasure! Delicious and easy!

A Short History of the Drink

The “French 75” cocktail has deep roots dating back to World War I. It is believed to have been created in 1915 at the “New York Bar” in Paris (later known as Harry’s New York Bar). The original recipe was stronger and, according to one version, got its name in honor of the French field gun Canon de 75 modèle 1897, because the cocktail had the same quick and powerful “kick” as its shot.

Subsequently, the drink gained popularity in New York, and later, in the 1930s, its recipe was officially enshrined in famous bartending books. This cocktail became one of the few that withstood the test of time and is still considered a classic.

Preparation Time and Calorie Content