Classic French 75

An elegant and timeless cocktail that balances the botanical notes of gin with bright, tart lemon juice, a touch of sweetness, and the effervescent lift of dry Champagne.

Prep: 5 min Total: 5 min Level: Easy Serves: 1

Equipment

Cocktail shaker
Jigger
Hawthorne strainer
Champagne flute
Vegetable peeler or paring knife

Ingredients

Cocktail

1.5 ounces London Dry Gin — A classic, juniper-forward gin works best
0.75 ounces Lemon juice — Freshly squeezed
0.5 ounces Simple syrup — 1:1 ratio of sugar to water
3 ounces Champagne — Brut or dry Champagne, well-chilled
1 cup Ice — For shaking

Garnish

1 piece Lemon twist — A long, thin strip of lemon peel

Cocktail

1.5 ounces	London Dry Gin	A classic, juniper-forward gin works best
0.75 ounces	Lemon juice	Freshly squeezed
0.5 ounces	Simple syrup	1:1 ratio of sugar to water
3 ounces	Champagne	Brut or dry Champagne, well-chilled
1 cup	Ice	For shaking

Garnish

1 piece Lemon twist A long, thin strip of lemon peel

Instructions

Add the gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
~1 min
Measure your ingredients precisely with a jigger for the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
Fill the shaker with ice, seal, and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker feels very cold, about 15 seconds.
~1 min
Shaking not only chills the drink but also adds slight dilution which is crucial for the cocktail's balance.
Strain the mixture using a Hawthorne strainer into a chilled Champagne flute.
~1 min
You can double strain through a fine mesh sieve if you want to ensure no small ice chips or lemon pulp enter the glass.
Top the glass with the chilled Champagne.
~1 min
Pour the Champagne slowly to prevent it from bubbling over the rim.
Express the oils from the lemon twist over the drink by gently squeezing it peel-side down, then drop the twist into the glass as a garnish.
~1 min
Expressing the oils gives the cocktail a bright, aromatic lemon nose before you even take a sip.

Tips & Storage

Chill your Champagne flute in the freezer for 10 minutes before preparing the drink to keep it colder longer.
For a slightly sweeter drink, increase the simple syrup to 0.75 ounces.
If you don't have Champagne, any dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava makes a great substitute, though it technically won't be a classic French 75.
To make simple syrup at home, heat equal parts granulated sugar and water in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Let cool completely before using.
Storage: Cocktails are best enjoyed immediately. Do not store. If you have leftover simple syrup, it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Nutrition per serving

175

Calories

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Carbs (g)

Fat (g)

Sat. Fat (g)

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Sugar (g)

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