Classic French 75 Cocktail

The French 75 is one of those cocktails that feels timeless and a little glamorous, yet it is simple enough to make at home. It combines gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne to create a crisp, bright, and bubbly drink. Whether it is served alongside eggs at brunch or champagne toasts at New Year’s, the French 75 always fits the occasion. 

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I love champagne cocktails for brunch, and this French 75 is a great option if you’re a fan of our cranberry mimosa or apple cider mimosa. For a holiday twist, use cranberry simple syrup to make a cranberry French 75 or replace the simple syrup with St-Germain for an elderflower French 75.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

The French 75 is simple, but the ingredients make all the difference.

In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

• Gin: The backbone of this cocktail, gin provides the botanical complexity that makes a French 75 distinctive. Use a London Dry gin for the classic version, or you can experiment with more floral gins for different flavor profiles. Some recipes call for cognac instead of gin, which creates a French 75 Cognac or “French 76” that has a richer, more mellow flavor.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Never use bottled lemon juice for cocktails. Fresh lemon juice provides the bright acidity that balances the sweetness and cuts through the richness of the gin. Roll your lemons on the counter before juicing to get more juice from each lemon.
• Simple Syrup: This adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemon. You can adjust the amount to your preference, starting with ½ ounce and adding more as needed. 
• Champagne or Sparkling Wine: This is what gives the French 75 its signature effervescence. You don’t need expensive champagne, but I don’t recommend buy cheap champagne either. Any good dry sparkling wine will work perfectly. Prosecco, Cava, or American sparkling wine all make excellent choices.

How to Make a Classic French 75

Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.

Pro-tip: Chill your glassware in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before serving. A cold glass keeps the cocktail at the perfect temperature, preventing the bubbles from dissipating too quickly.

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and the shaker feels cold to the touch.

2. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass. Slowly top with champagne or sparkling wine, pouring gently to preserve the bubbles.

3. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink by giving it a gentle twist, then drop it into the glass. Serve immediately.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can pre-batch the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture up to 4 hours in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and shake it with fresh ice when ready to serve. Add the champagne just before serving to maintain carbonation.

How to Store: French 75 cocktails are best enjoyed immediately after preparation. If you have leftover champagne, store it in the refrigerator with a champagne stopper and use it within 1 to 2 days. The gin mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Chill your glassware. Cold glasses help maintain carbonation and keep the cocktail at the optimal temperature, preventing bubbles from dissipating too quickly.
• Use fresh lemon juice only. The difference between fresh and bottled lemon juice is dramatic in cocktails, with fresh juice providing the bright, clean acidity that makes this drink shine.
• Choose quality sparkling wine. While you don’t need the most expensive champagne, avoid anything too sweet or low-quality, as it will throw off the balance of the cocktail.
• Start with less simple syrup. You can always add more sweetness to taste, but some people prefer their French 75 on the tart side, while others like it slightly sweeter.
• Batch the base carefully. When making multiple cocktails, prepare the gin mixture in larger quantities, but add champagne to each glass individually to control the fizz.
• Serve immediately. French 75 cocktails are best enjoyed right after preparation, while the bubbles are still active and the drink is properly chilled.

Frequently Asked Questions