Fizzing with your favorite champagne and pepped up with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, this French 75 Cocktail is the perfect drink for New Years Eve or everyday happy hour! It’s easy to make with a shot of gin and a 2-ingredient simple syrup.
Want more ideas to ring in the new year? Try out my Sparkling Cranberry Mimosas or my Pomegranate Mimosas.
A Classic Champagne Mixed Drink for New Years Eve
This citrusy cocktail is for everyone who enjoys sipping on a strong drink that doesn’t taste overpoweringly of alcohol. It’s boozy, it’s bubbly, and it tastes like a glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade! Garnished with an optional lemon twist, it’s definitely a worthy beverage to close out your year with.
That being said, it’s also quick and easy enough for whenever you’re in the mood to have a mixed drink. You just need a cocktail shaker and some ice cubes to bring it to life. And if you want to put your own little spin on the recipe, the possibilities are infinite!
Why is the Cocktail Called French 75?
This fizzy gin cocktail is named after a French gun used during the first World War. The firearm, a 75mm Howitzer field gun, was known to be very fast and accurate. The idea is that this drink “hits” you in a similar manner. In other words, it certainly doesn’t stint on the alcohol!
What You’ll Need
The homemade simple syrup I’ve included in this recipe is sure to save you some money if you’re a frequent cocktail maker. Cheers to that!
- Sugar & Water: For the simple syrup.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed.
- Gin: Any kind of dry gin will work.
- Champagne: Use your go-to brand.
- Lemon Twist (Optional): To garnish the drink.
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How to Make a French 75 Cocktail
You don’t need any experience mixing drinks to whip up a French 75. This single-serving recipe is super easy to manage.
Make Simple Syrup: Add the sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer and dissolve the sugar in the water. Then remove the syrup from the heat and place it in the refrigerator until it cools.
Combine Lemon Juice, Syrup, Gin & Ice: Add the lemon juice, simple syrup, gin and a few ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Put the top on and shake vigorously until the outside of the cocktail shaker frosts up.
Add Champagne: Strain the mixture into a champagne flute or a champagne coupe. Pour 2 ounces of champagne over the top of the drink.
Enjoy! Garnish the cocktail with a lemon twist if you’d like and serve it immediately.
Can I Use This Recipe to Make a Pitcher?
If you’d like to make more than one French 75 cocktail, you can do so with ease! Simply click on the “scale” buttons in the recipe below. To make enough for a 32-ounce pitcher, use 2 oz lemon juice, 2 oz simple syrup, 12 oz gin and 16 oz champagne.
Tips for Success
If you haven’t mixed many drinks before, I highly recommend reviewing the tips below. You’ll be a pro bartender in no time!
- Avoid Using Bottled Lemon Juice: If you want the highest quality cocktail, you’ll have to squeeze your own lemon juice. Otherwise, the flavor won’t be as good.
- Save Time with Store-Bought Simple Syrup: You can use your favorite store-bought simple syrup instead of making your own if you’d prefer.
- Don’t Have a Cocktail Shaker? That’s okay! A glass mason jar can be used in place of the cocktail shaker if necessary. As long as it seals well, you’ll be good to go.
Variation Ideas
There are plenty of ways to put a twist on this classic cocktail. Just have fun with it!
- Use Flavored Gin: If you generally prefer a sweeter cocktail, feel free to use flavored gin instead of dry gin. I recommend going with a fruity flavor to compliment the lemon juice.
- Citrus Remix: Any citrus juice will taste amazing in this drink. Just make sure that whatever you use is freshly squeezed from a ripe fruit.
- Spirit Swap: If you enjoy experimenting with different spirits, try replacing the gin with cognac, bourbon or brandy. You really can’t go wrong!
French 75 Cocktail Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Cocktail Shaker
- Cuisine: French
Description
Fizzing with your favorite champagne and pepped up with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, this French 75 Cocktail is a lovely drink for New Years Eve or everyday happy hour! It’s easy to make with a shot of rum and a 2-ingredient simple syrup.
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
For the French 75 Cocktail
- 1/4 oz lemon juice
- 1/4 oz simple syrup
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 2 oz champagne
- optional: lemon twist
Instructions
Make the Simple Syrup
- To a saucepan add sugar and water. Bring to a simmer and dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat and place in the refrigerator until cool.
Make the Cocktail
- To a cocktail shaker add lemon juice, simple syrup, gin and a few ice cubes. Put the top on, shake vigorously until outside of cocktail shaker frosts up. Strain into a champagne flute or champagne coupe.
- Pour 2 oz. of champagne over the top.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
To make enough for a 32-ounce pitcher, use 2 oz lemon juice, 2 oz simple syrup, 12 oz gin and 16 oz champagne.
More Bubbly Cocktails to Try
Need another sparkling beverage for New Years Eve? Try one (or multiple) of these!
- The Best Hugo Cocktail
- Refreshing Piña Colada Spritzer
- Sparkling Pomegranate Mimosas
- Apple Cider Moscow Mule
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