French 75 is a classic champagne cocktail that is refreshing, aromatic, and citrusy. You only need 4 ingredients to make this sparkling drink: gin, champagne, simple syrup, and lemon juice.

A French 75 is served in a sparkling, golden glass with a sliver of orange peel.

It’s a classic cocktail that combines aromatic gin, bubbly champagne, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sweetness. Gin and champagne is such a pleasant and aromatic combination of flavors in this classic cocktail. Add citrus of lemon to it and a touch of sweetness, and you have a wonderful cocktail on your hands.

Like so many other classic cocktails, the true origin of it is unknows. We know that this cocktail was created sometime in the early 1900s and that it’s named after the French 75-mm light field gun. It was the main choice of weapon for the French army in the WWI.

Some historians suggest that this cocktail was originally named “Soixante-Quinze” or “Seventy Five” in Paris bar and evolved onto “French 75.” Since many classic cocktails are named after notable people, events, and inventions, the name French 75 seems quite fitting here.

Even with decades of changes in the original recipes, it is still a strong cocktail that’s named very appropriately. After all, this is quite a potent cocktail that is capable of knocking you off your feet!

The ingredients and tools needed to make a French 75 recipe, on a white surface.

How To Make French 75 Recipe

Chill the champagne flutes while preparing other ingredients. Fill the flutes with ice and cold water and let them stand until ready to make the cocktails.
Prepare the lemon. Peel the zest off of the lemon before squeezing the juices out of the pulp. Then, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the glass.

Lemon juice is poured into a sparkly glass for a French 75 recipe

Combine the ingredients. In a champagne flute, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin. Stir for a few seconds to combine.

Pour the champagne. Carefully fill the glasses with champagne.

pouring champagne into a tall stemmed glass

Add the lemon twist. Twist the lemon peel until you see expressed oils come onto the skin. Then, drop it into the glass and enjoy!

A lemon twist garnishes a glass of French 75.

French 75 Recipe Ingredients & Tips

Gin – Use your favorite gin here because its flavor will be pronounced.
Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice – yes, I highly recommend that you squeeze the lemon juice yourself for the cocktail instead of buying already squeezed. The flavor is quite different.
Simple Syrup – You can make your own simple syrup and store it in the refrigerator or you can buy premade. To make your own, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of hot water and stir until dissolved. Store homemade simple syrup in the refrigerator, in an air-tight bottle.
Champagne – Use dry, extra dry, or brut champagne, not sweet! Choose the one you like to drink because this is a main ingredient in this recipe and you will taste all the flavor.
Lemon Twist – Use a paring knife to first cut the lemon in half, then cut the pulp off of the peel. Once you have your peel, simply twist and squeeze to extract the oils out.

What Other Champagne Options Are There?

Most common types of champagne you will find are brut, dry, and extra dry. Brut champagne is slightly less sweet than extra dry champagne, and much less sweet than dry champagne. If you do want ta touch more sweetness, use dry champagne.

If you don’t have the option to use champagne, use dry prosecco. Prosecco is usually less sweet than champagne, and it also has fruity and floral hints of flavor as a delicious bonus!

I do not recommend using any sweet sparkling wines!

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