The French 75 is the celebration cocktail. Birthday dinners, engagement parties, New Year's Eve toasts, it shows up at the moments that matter. The build is simple, the result is bright and lifted, and the visual (long flute, citrus spiral, champagne fizz) is photogenic in a way few cocktails match.
Ingredients
- London Dry gin 30ml
- Fresh lemon juice 15ml
- Simple syrup 10ml
- Chilled champagne (or dry prosecco) to top, ~60ml
- Long lemon spiral to garnish
Method
- Shake gin, lemon, and syrup hard with ice for 10 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled champagne flute.
- Top with chilled champagne. Stir once gently if needed.
- Garnish with a long lemon spiral.
Variations
French 76: swap gin for vodka. Cleaner, more neutral, lets the champagne lead.
French 77: add 15ml elderflower liqueur. Floral, more aromatic.
Hibiscus French 75: add 10ml hibiscus syrup to the shake. Turns the drink pink, adds tart-floral. Our local twist.
What champagne to use
You do not need expensive champagne for this drink, the cocktail's gin + lemon + sugar overrides the subtlety that distinguishes top-shelf bottles. Use a decent NV brut champagne (Pol Roger, Lanson) or a dry prosecco. Save the vintage bottle for drinking neat.
What we pour
House French 75 uses Plymouth gin, fresh lemon, demerara syrup (slightly richer than simple), and a dry prosecco top. The demerara adds a touch of body that the original simple syrup lacks.
Related
- Negroni Sbagliato (also sparkling)
- All cocktails
- An anniversary at a cocktail bar
Frequently asked questions
What glass is the French 75 served in?
A chilled champagne flute. The tall narrow shape preserves the carbonation (which is the celebration signature) and shows the long lemon spiral garnish vertically. A coupe also works for a softer, more vintage feel but loses the bubbles faster. A wine glass is too wide and the champagne goes flat quickly.
Can I substitute the champagne?
Dry prosecco is the most common substitute and works perfectly well; the gin-lemon-sugar shake overrides the subtlety that distinguishes top-shelf bottles. Cava is also good. Avoid sweet sparkling wines (Asti, Moscato); the drink turns dessert-flat. Save the vintage champagne for drinking neat after the cocktail.
How strong is the French 75?
Light to medium. About 12 to 15 percent ABV in the glass. The 30ml of gin (40 percent) is small for a cocktail, but it lands on top of champagne (12 percent) which adds to the alcohol load. Drinks deceptively easy because of the bubbles and citrus brightness. Named after the WWI 75mm field gun for a reason.
Where can I order a French 75 in PJ or KL?
At Dissolved Solids (Damansara Kim, 43-1 Jalan SS20/11, Tue-Sun 15:00 to 01:00, WhatsApp +60 11-4008 7607) or Soluble Solids (SS2, 50-1 Jalan SS2/24, Wed-Sun 18:00 to 01:00, WhatsApp +60 11-1682 8651). Both pour with dry prosecco by default; tell us if you want champagne, or ask for the Hibiscus variant for a pink local twist.
What food pairs with the French 75?
Celebration food and brunch. Oysters, smoked salmon, foie gras, ceviche, scallop crudo, lemon tart, summer berries. Also pairs with cake (birthday, wedding, anniversary). The bubbles and citrus are good palate openers; serve before dinner not after. Avoid heavy red meat; the drink is too light.