French 75 Champagne Cocktail - An elegant champagne cocktail with history that goes back to WWI. A perfect drink for parties and celebrations, especially New Year's Eve!
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Happy New Year's Eve!! How did we make it to the end of 2018 already?! The last few months have flown by. Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went so quickly!
If there's one thing that gets me really excited, though, it's welcoming in a new year. It's a chance to wipe the slate clean and start over. The new year brings renewed feelings of hope and happiness. Are you starting to think about the things you'd like to accomplish in the new year?
If not, IT'S OKAY! There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow when we're all resting up for our last day off before it's back to work.
Today, I'm sharing the recipe for a classic French 75 cocktail. It's actually very similar to a Tom Collins and dates back to World War I. It's a combination of gin, champagne, lemon juice and sugar. And according to Wikipedia, years ago it was said to have "such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75 mm field gun."
Now, if you don't like gin, fear not. Both cognac and vodka are excellent substitutes for the gin. ?
Making a French 75 Cocktail
I use a cocktail shaker for the French 75. It ensures all of the ingredients are perfectly chilled.
The recipe will make enough for two champagne flutes. You'll want to fill each flute about ¼ full with the mixture inside of the cocktail shaker.
Then you top off each glass with some champagne. I usually use Prosecco but you can also use Brut.
Making your own simple syrup
If you don't have any store-bought simple syrup, you can easily make your own. This recipe will make enough for at least four of these French 75s.
Homemade Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey or sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Combine the two ingredients in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, whisking occasionally, just until the honey or sugar have dissolved.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool.
Enjoying your French 75
I don't know about you, but on New Year's Eve during our midnight toast I can't tell you how much champagne I end up pouring out at the end of the evening. Everyone seems to take a sip after the toast but that's about it.
A French 75 is a refreshing twist to traditional champagne. Adding a lemon twist is the perfect garnish to make your celebration feel even more special.
I hope you're surrounded by friends and family you love as you ring in the new year tonight.
May the new year bless you with good health and lots of happiness.
Looking for more celebratory drinks?
- World's Greatest Slush Punch
- Mint Oreo Pudding Shots
- No Blend Frozen Mudslide
- Grasshopper Ice Cream Drink
French 75 Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 ounces gin (you can substitute vodka or cognac if you don't like gin)
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Champagne (Prosecco, Brut, etc.)
- Lemon twists for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, simple syrup, lemon juice and ice cubes and shake to chill.
- Strain mixture into two champagne flutes and top off each glass with champagne.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
- Choose Your Spirit: While traditional French 75 cocktails use gin, feel free to experiment with vodka or cognac if you prefer. Each spirit brings its own unique flavor profile to the drink, so choose based on your personal preference.
- Balance Sweetness: Adjust the amount of simple syrup according to your taste preference. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add a bit more syrup. Conversely, if you prefer a drier taste, you can reduce the amount of syrup or omit it altogether.
- Keep Ingredients Cold: To ensure your French 75 stays crisp and refreshing, make sure all your ingredients are chilled before mixing. This includes the gin, lemon juice, and champagne. Additionally, consider chilling your champagne flutes in the freezer before serving for an extra frosty touch.
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