Description

The French 75 is a cocktail with sparkle, elegance, and just enough bite to make it unforgettable. Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and topped with Champagne, it manages to feel both celebratory and refined, with a bright citrus lift balanced by delicate bubbles. Its name is said to come from the powerful French 75 field gun, a fitting comparison for a drink that looks graceful but carries surprising strength beneath its polished surface. Light, crisp, and beautifully refreshing, it has long been a favourite for those who want something more interesting than a simple glass of fizz.

What makes the French 75 so captivating is the way it blends sophistication with energy. The gin gives it structure and depth, the lemon keeps it lively, and the Champagne adds a luxurious finish that turns every sip into an occasion. Whether served at weddings, parties, or intimate evening gatherings, the French 75 brings glamour, history, and a touch of drama to the glass, making it one of the most timeless sparkling cocktails ever created.

Ingredients

30 ml Gin
15 ml lemon juice
10 ml Sugar syrup
60 ml Champagne
1 piece Lemon twist (for garnish)

Equipment needed

Cocktail Shaker – Used to shake the base with ice. Fine Mesh Strainer – Used to strain into the glass.

Instructions

Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a champagne flute or coupe.
Top gently with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

Recommended glassware

Flute Glass (recommended)

A tall, narrow glass designed to preserve bubbles in sparkling cocktails.

150–220 ml Tall, narrow bowl on a stem.

Best for: French 75, Bellini, Mimosa, Kir Royale, sparkling aperitifs.

Garnish: Best with small fruit garnishes, twists, or elegant minimal decoration.

Coupe Glass

An elegant stemmed glass for shaken or stirred cocktails served up.

Also acceptable for a more open aroma.

120–240 ml Stemmed glass with a broad shallow bowl.

Best for: Daiquiri, Sidecar, Manhattan served up, Gimlet, Clover Club.

Garnish: Great for expressed citrus peels, cherries, and small edible flowers.

Tulip Champagne Glass

A more aroma-friendly sparkling wine glass for refined bubbly cocktails.

A premium alternative with better aroma.

180–260 ml Narrower at the rim, broader through the middle.

Best for: French 75, Champagne cocktails, premium sparkling serves.

Garnish: Excellent for lemon twists and restrained garnish.

French 75