The French 75 is one of the most elegant cocktails ever made, and one of the most dangerous. It looks like a glass of celebration, all bubbles and lemon twist, but underneath the champagne there is a full measure of gin, which is exactly why it was named after a French field gun from the First World War. It was said to hit with the same force. Sip a couple and you will understand the joke.
It is the drink to make when you want to feel a bit glamorous, and it is genuinely simple, a small gin sour lengthened with something sparkling. Here is how I build one that stays crisp and refined rather than tipping into sweet.
What Is a French 75?
A French 75 is a sparkling cocktail made from gin, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup, shaken and then topped with champagne or sparkling wine. It dates back to the First World War and takes its name from the French 75mm field gun, a nod to its surprising strength. Essentially it is a gin sour given the champagne treatment, which makes it both refreshing and deceptively boozy.
The gin and lemon give it backbone and bite, the touch of sugar rounds it off, and the bubbles lift the whole thing into something festive. It is crisp, bright and grown-up, the sort of drink that suits a toast.
Ingredients
This makes one French 75. Scale it with the card below for a table of toasts.
A Few Notes on the Ingredients
Gin is the soul of the drink, so pick one you like. A classic London dry gives the crisp, juniper-forward backbone that stands up to the bubbles, while a more floral or citrus-led gin makes a softer, more fragrant French 75. Either works, so lean into the style you prefer.
Champagne is traditional, but you do not need to spend a fortune. A dry, crisp sparkling wine is exactly right here, and a good prosecco or cava makes an excellent and more affordable stand-in. The key word is dry, since a sweet fizz will tip the whole drink over into cloying.
Fresh lemon juice is essential for that clean, sharp lift. Bottled lemon will make the drink taste dull and flat against the crisp champagne, so squeeze it fresh.
Sugar syrup just balances the tartness of the lemon. Keep it restrained, the French 75 should finish dry and bright, not sweet, so it is better to err on the side of less.
Variations Worth Trying
- French 76: swap the gin for vodka for a softer, more neutral version.
- Prosecco 75: use a good dry prosecco or cava in place of champagne for an easier, more affordable serve.
- Elderflower 75: replace the sugar syrup with elderflower liqueur for a floral twist.
- Winter 75: add a tiny dash of good cognac alongside the gin for a richer cold-weather version, closer to the drink's early roots.
Skip the Shaking
Keeping gin, fresh lemons and a bottle of champagne on standby for a single elegant glass is a proper commitment, which is exactly why I started Boozy. We make proper party cocktails, canned, chilled and ready to pour. When you want something bright and celebratory without opening a whole bottle of fizz, our cocktail cans deliver, from the light Elderflower Breeze to the party classics.
French 75 FAQs
What is in a French 75?
Gin, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup, shaken and topped with champagne or sparkling wine, finished with a lemon twist. It is essentially a gin sour lengthened with bubbles.
Why is it called a French 75?
It is named after the French 75mm field gun used in the First World War, because the drink was said to have a kick like the artillery piece. The strength hides behind the champagne.
Can you use prosecco in a French 75?
Yes. Champagne is the classic, but a dry prosecco or cava works beautifully and costs far less. The important thing is that the sparkling wine is dry rather than sweet.
Is a French 75 strong?
Stronger than it looks. Behind the elegant bubbles sits a full measure of gin, which is exactly where the name comes from. It is a sipping drink, not a session one.
What gin is best for a French 75?
A classic London dry gin gives the crispest, most traditional result. A floral or citrus-forward gin makes a softer, more fragrant version, so choose based on the style you enjoy.
