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French 75 is the bubbly, citrusy cocktail that makes you feel fancy without any fuss, with gin and fresh lemon shaken cold then topped off with crisp champagne. I started mixing these for date nights at home *last New Year’s Eve*, and now they are my go-to whenever we want to celebrate something small. If you love a bright, sippable drink, you will adore one next to our candied grapes for the prettiest little happy hour.
It comes together in about five minutes with just a few simple ingredients, so it is the easiest way to turn any ordinary evening into a little celebration.
French 75 Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: No cook
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 1 cocktail
- ⚡ Calories: 155kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Bright and citrusy with crisp, bubbly champagne over a clean gin backbone
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as simple as our classic white wine spritzer
Quick Answer
To make a French 75, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 1 1/2 ounces of gin, 3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice, and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup. Shake until well chilled, strain into a champagne flute, then top with chilled champagne and garnish with a lemon spiral. It takes about five minutes and makes one elegant, bubbly cocktail.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Bright citrus balance. Fresh lemon juice keeps the drink crisp and tart so the champagne tastes lively, never flat or overly sweet.
- Cold shake first. Shaking the gin, lemon, and simple syrup over ice chills and dilutes them just enough before the bubbles ever go in.
- Champagne goes last. Topping with champagne after straining protects the carbonation so every single sip stays fizzy.
- Simple syrup smooths the edges. A small pour of simple syrup rounds out the tart lemon without making the cocktail cloying.
- Gin brings the backbone. A classic London dry gin adds botanical depth that holds its own against the bubbles.
- Five-minute payoff. No special equipment beyond a shaker, so it feels fancy with almost no effort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It tastes like a celebration in a glass, bright and bubbly with just the right amount of citrus.
- It comes together in about five minutes, even faster than our blueberry lemonade cocktail and just as pretty.
- It only needs a handful of ingredients you can keep on hand for any last-minute toast.
Key Ingredients
Here is what makes this French 75 sing. Grab these four simple ingredients and you are just minutes away from the prettiest cocktail on the table.
- Gin: A classic London dry gin gives the drink its crisp, botanical backbone. Vodka works for a softer, more neutral version.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Always squeeze it fresh. Bottled lemon juice tastes flat and will dull that bright citrus snap.
- Simple Syrup: Just a little balances the tart lemon. Buy it or stir together equal parts sugar and warm water at home.
- Champagne: A dry brut champagne or any dry sparkling wine keeps the cocktail crisp and bubbly. Save sweeter bottles for sipping.
- Lemon Spiral: A long curl of lemon peel is the classic garnish and adds a little extra citrus aroma with every sip.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This French 75 is a classic, but it is easy to make it your own. Here are a few of our favorite ways to switch it up.
- Make it with vodka: Swap the gin for vodka if you prefer a cleaner, more neutral cocktail, sometimes called a French 76.
- Add a berry twist: Muddle a few raspberries or strawberries in the shaker for a fruity, blush-colored version.
- Batch it for a party: Multiply the gin, lemon, and simple syrup, shake in batches, and let guests top their own flutes with champagne.
- Try a different citrus: A splash of fresh grapefruit juice gives a softer edge. We love it as much as our grapefruit salty dog.
- Go non-alcoholic: Use a zero-proof gin and non-alcoholic bubbly for a mocktail everyone can enjoy.
How to Make French 75
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add 1 1/2 ounces of gin to the shaker.
- Pour in 3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 ounce of simple syrup, then secure the lid and shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled champagne flute, top with champagne, and garnish with a lemon spiral before serving.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh lemon juice, never bottled. It is the single biggest difference between a bright French 75 and a dull one.
- Chill your champagne and flute ahead of time so the cocktail stays cold and bubbly from the very first sip.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds. You want the gin, lemon, and syrup ice-cold before the champagne goes in.
- Top with champagne last and pour it slowly down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles lively.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a little more or less simple syrup to suit your taste.
- Make your own simple syrup by stirring equal parts sugar and warm water until dissolved, then cool. See our simple syrup for cocktails guide for the full how-to.
- Garnish with a lemon spiral for that classic look and an extra hit of citrus aroma.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
The French 75 is the perfect drink for celebrations, brunches, and date nights at home. Serve it in a chilled champagne flute right after topping with bubbly so it stays crisp and fizzy.
For an easy party spread, set it alongside our candied grapes and a creamy Mediterranean dip for grazing. It is also lovely at brunch with a blueberry cream cheese muffin and fresh fruit.
Hosting a bigger crowd? Round out the bar with our blueberry lemonade cocktail and a white wine spritzer so there is something bubbly for everyone.
French 75 FAQs
A classic French 75 is made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne, garnished with a lemon spiral. The gin, lemon, and syrup are shaken with ice, then strained into a flute and topped with bubbly.
The French 75 is named after the French 75mm field gun used in World War I, because the drink was said to have a kick as powerful as the artillery. It first appeared in cocktail books in the early 1900s.
Yes. Swapping the gin for vodka makes a smoother, more neutral cocktail sometimes called a French 76. Use the same amounts of lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne.
A dry brut champagne or any dry sparkling wine such as prosecco or cava works best. Dry bubbles keep the cocktail crisp and let the lemon and gin shine, while sweeter wines can make it cloying.
You can shake and chill the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Wait to add the champagne until you are ready to serve so the bubbles stay fresh.
A French 75 is fairly strong because it combines gin with champagne. Each cocktail has about 1 1/2 ounces of gin plus a generous top of bubbly, so sip slowly and enjoy.
Looking for more easy ways to celebrate? Our blueberry lemonade cocktail is another five-minute crowd-pleaser worth mixing up next.
Classic French 75 Cocktail
Ingredients
- ice
- 1 & ½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce lemon juice fresh squeezed
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Champagne
- Lemon spiral garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.ice
- Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Add the top on the shaker and shake vigorously.1 & ½ ounces gin, ¾ ounce lemon juice, ½ ounce simple syrup
- Strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with champagne and add a lemon spiral garnish. Serve.Champagne, Lemon spiral garnish
Notes
- Always use a cold champagne flute. It keeps your drink cooler for longer.
- Don’t shake the champagne! Only the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup get the shaker treatment.
- Add the champagne slowly to avoid overflow.
- If you’re hosting a party, make small batches in advance. This ensures each glass is freshly poured and bubbly.
- Always garnish last! That lemon spiral garnish? It’s the final touch!
- Experiment! This classic cocktail is versatile. Try different gins or add a splash of a new ingredient.
Nutrition
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