French 75 – the Best Cocktail Ever!

The French 75 is a classic cocktail dating back to World War I. It’s an elegant drink, which combines gin, champagne, lemon juice and sugar. The French 75 cocktail is my jam and, it’s my pleasure to share it with you today since it’s the best cocktail ever!

If you are a guest in our home chances are you would be offered a French 75, and if you indulge us you won’t regret it. It’s a tart drink from the lemon juice with fun fizz from the bubbles and a little kick from the gin. It’s super well rounded.

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Why a French 75?

Discovery

I discovered the drink on a trip to Disneyland, of all places.  After a long, hot day of running around the parks, having fun, we enjoyed a nice dinner at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.  I always make a reservation there on our trips to Disneyland since Mr M. likes his steak. Unfortunately it has since closed. Anyway, while we were waiting for our table we ordered cocktails.  I ordered their version of the French 75, {which was unknown to me at the time}. I can’t remember what they coined it, the Steakhouse 75 maybe? Anyway, it had me at the first sip.  

Between the crispness of the lemon and the fizzy bubbles of the sparkling wine I was complete!  I love champagne and or sparkling wine.  I also love anything tart, not being partial to sweet drinks.  It was the perfect elixir after running around like crazy with my kids all day enjoying the magic of Disney.  And that’s what Disney does so well, catering to everyone’s happiness, no matter what age.  This became extremely evident when we took the Disney cruise years ago and they catered to my little, almost tween, and us parents.  There’s so much I can say about this, so I will leave it there.

Sharing

Since the St. Patrick’s day holiday is upon us, and it has the reputation of a big drinking holiday I thought I would share my favorite cocktail of all time- the French 75.  It’s not very Irish but it’s my jam!

If you like bubbles and tart drinks this will be your jam too. It’s a mixture of gin and sparkling wine or champagne and lemon juice and sugar.

I’m very lucky because Mr. Masterpiece mixes a mean drink and he makes me French 75s better than most bartenders. I quickly learned that not all French 75s are created equal, and Mr. M has mastered the art of the French 75. Most of our friends enjoy them too when they come over.

Presentation

Since the liquors in the French 75 include gin and bubbles it is sometimes served in a champagne flute and sometimes in a martini glass. I have had it both ways and my preference is in a martini glass. I’ve learned to order it specifically that way since each bartender does it their own way. I prefer how the drink opens up in a martini glass rather than a champagne flute. The funny thing is Steakhouse 55 presented the drink to me in a martini glass, but most bartenders seem to prefer the flute. Hence why I always specify.

Recipe for the French 75

Be careful; since this is a bit of a sneaky drink. It’s easy to drink, but don’t be fooled since it carries a big punch. It was named after a gun that was used in WWI for a reason.

Ingredients

• Jigger of Gin (Average 1.5 oz)
• 1 Tsp Sugar
• Juice 1/2 Lemon
• 4-6 oz. Champagne or Sparkling Wine
• Lemon Twist

Tools

• Cocktail Shaker

Instructions

• Fill shaker with 3 ice cubes, jigger of gin, lemon juice and sugar
• Shake shaker vigorously until ice is crystallized (my husband’s words)
• Fill half of glass with gin mixture and top off with champagne
• Garnish with lemon peel
• Cheers! Salud! Sante!

Tips for the French 75 Cocktail

Don’t care for gin? No worries, you can always substitute vodka. This is called a French 76 and it’s a similar cocktail just the punch from the gin is slightly different than vodka. Either way it’s delicious.

This drink is best when served well chilled. Both the champagne and the gin mixture should be very cold when mixed together into then glass. I’ve never chilled the glassware, but that’s always an option.

Since you are adding other ingredients to the champagne or sparkling wine, I would recommend to not necessarily use super spendy bubbles. At the same time, I would also recommend using bubbles which taste good on their own.

Closing Thoughts

This is my happy drink and I am lucky Mr. Masterpiece makes the best around! His drink of choice is vodka on the rocks with either a garnish of olives, onions or both depending on the mood with a splash of the of said garnish to make it a bit dirty.

The lemon tree in the backyard enables my French 75 addiction. lol. Actually I like lemon anything.

I hope you give the French 75 a try if you haven’y already. Thanks for stopping by. Salud.

Drink what makes you happy with friends who make you laugh.”

Unknown

sharing @ between naps on the porch