Made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne, this French 75 cocktail is easy to make and even easier to drink! A little sweet, a little bubbly, it’s perfect for holidays, brunch, and almost any occasion.
If you’ll be entertaining, this drink pairs well with lemon cupcakes and mini lemon tarts on a buffet table.
Easy Champagne Cocktail
A French 75 is one of my favorite champagne cocktails. All of the ingredients work wonderfully together. Lemon and gin are always a good combination (like in a Tom Collins) and the simple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness. Not to mention the champagne, which gives this cocktail a classy touch.
I really suggest this cocktail to anyone who likes a sweet drink – the simple syrup offsets the tartness of the lemon juice and champagne. But it’s also not overly sweet. You won’t feel like you’re drinking dessert as you do with super sweet cocktails like a mudslide. If you’re not a fan of tart or bitter cocktails, this one is perfect.
A French 75 is a classic cocktail made with gin, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The cocktail has been around since at least the 1920s but became popular when published in “The Savory Cocktail Book” by Harry Craddock in 1930. From there, it became a favorite not only in the US but around the world.
The name is said to be based on the 75-millimeter field gun that the French used during World War I.
The main difference between the French 95, French 76, and French 75 is with the base alcohol. All three cocktails contain the same base ingredients of lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne, but the French 95 uses bourbon, while the French 76 incorporates vodka, and the 75 stars gin. This changes the flavor of the cocktail enough to require separate names.
Ingredients Needed
This easy cocktail is made with just 4 main ingredients.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Ice
- Gin – Your favorite quality gin.
- Lemon juice – Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Simple syrup – You can buy simple syrup at the store or make your own by bringing equal parts water and sugar to a boil until the sugar dissolves completely, then letting it cool.
- Champagne – The exact amount of champagne will depend on the size of your glass but you’ll need around 3 ounces of chilled champagne.
- Lemon spiral – An optional garnish that gives this cocktail a classy look.
Make a French 75 With Prosecco
French 75 Variations
Here are a few fun variations for this easy champagne cocktail.
- Use St. Germain Elderflower liquor. Replace the simple syrup with 1 ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liquor, which gives it more depth of flavor.
- Try it with cognac or brandy instead of gin. The original French 75 originated in France in 1920 and was made with cognac, not gin.
- Make a “French-Canadian 75”. A touch of maple syrup (in place of the simple syrup) makes a lovely ‘French-Canadian 75’.
- Add pomegranate. Add a splash of pomegranate for another flavor and beautiful color.
- Muddle the lemon. Instead of squeezing the lemon juice into the glass, you can muddle some lemon slices directly in the glass and leave them at the bottom of the cocktail to get a real lemon burst taste.
How to Make a French 75
A French 75 cocktail comes together in just seconds.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Shake. Shake the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Serve. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and the lemon spiral garnish. Enjoy immediately.
How to Make a Lemon Spiral
Lemon twists make a great garnish for this cocktail.
To make one, cut a 1/4-inch thick slice of lemon from the wide part of the citrus fruit. Cut through one edge of the slice to the pulp, then carefully run the knife around the edge of the peel to cut away the fruit. You want to keep just a small amount of the pith (the white part of the peel) which helps it hold the shape.
Once you have the peel separate, twist it into a spiral and hold it tightly for a few seconds. Once you release it, it will hold the shape naturally.
Can I Make This For a Crowd?
This would be a great make-ahead party cocktail. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in the quantity you are looking for into a pitcher. Stir, and store in the fridge until the party starts. You will just need to pour, then top with champagne to serve. So easy!
Can You Make A Non-Alcoholic French 75 Drink?
You can turn this into a mocktail with a few changes. Use sparkling white grape juice in place of the champagne and tonic water with bitters in place of the gin. It won’t taste exactly the same, of course, but it’s a fun option if you need something for any non-drinkers (or kids).
More Easy Cocktail Recipes:
- Tom Collins
- Pineapple Sunrise Mimosas
- Paloma
- Dirty Shirley
- Bees Knees
- Sea Breeze
- Moscow Mule
- Sex on the Beach
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
French 75
Ingredients
- ice
- 1 & 1/2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice , freshly squeezed
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Chilled champagne (about 3 ounces)
- Lemon spiral , for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Place the top on the shaker and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
- Strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne and add a lemon spiral garnish. Serve right away while it's cold.
One of my favorite drinks! Delish!