French 75

The French 75 is a classic cocktail dating to the early 1900s, that combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling wine (traditionally Champagne). Despite it's elegant appearance, the cocktail takes its name from a piece of artillery used in World War I, the French-made Canon de 75 modéle 1897, known colloquially as the Soixante-Quinze or Seventy-Five. According to Difford's Guide, the rifle quickly became a symbol of hope for the French and American soldiers who used it during World War 1, and many credit it as a backbone to their victory.

The first known version of the cocktail was called the Soixante-Quinze. It's said to have been created during World War I around 1915 by a Parisian bartender. With some resemblance to what we know the French 75 to be today, the 1915 version of the Soixante-Quinze was made with gin, lemon, grenadine, applejack brandy, and a bit of water. Since then the cocktail has evolved with different variations on the recipe. It was in 1927, in a cocktail book called Here's How written by Judge Jr., that the French 75 got its contemporary name and a signature addition of Champagne. The recipe in Here's How specifies that the drink should be served in a "tall glass" and likens it to a Tom Collins.

What makes the French 75 work

The French 75 uses a standard Gin Sour as its base. It's similar in build to the Tom Collins, with the key distinction being that the Collins category uses plain seltzer to lengthen the drink, while the French 75 opts for sparkling wine for a bit of extra power.

Lemon juice and sugar, used here, are the classic modifier that form the base of the sour category of cocktails. In flavor profile, what you get is basically the base of a concentrated lemonade, spiked, then diluted with a mixer. Here, Champagne is often used, in part due to the French association with the drink, but also because its yeasty, brioche-like notes help to tame the acid of the lemon juice and gin. You can use any sparkling wine you prefer, but one that's heavier on citrus notes, like a prosecco, will yield a tarter drink

Whether you enjoy this historic cocktail in a Champagne flute, a coupe, or even a tall glass, the French 75 is a timeless and delicious cocktail that brings joy to any occasion.