Bubbly and fresh with an undercurrent of sharp botanical bite, the French 75 is the celebratory cocktail done right: With equal doses of both levity and gravitas.
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What Is a French 75?
The French 75 is a classic cocktail Champagne cocktail attributed to a bartender named Harry MacElhone at the New York Bar in Paris. According to the legend, Harry MacElhone thought that living life in the mad swirl of World War I merited a hybrid between a Champagne cocktail and a gin cocktail.
Originally, the French 75 was served in a highball glass, but the French 75s of today are more likely served in a flute. Different riffs within the recipe have been popular throughout the cocktail’s history: Cognac for gin, for example, or a dash of absinthe.
French 75 Cocktail Recipe
makes
1 cocktailprep time
5 mintotal time
5 minIngredients
- 1
In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup; fill with ice, and shake vigorously.
- 2
Strain into a chilled Champagne flute or highball glass (partly filled with ice, if preferred).
- 3
Top with sparkling wine until filled. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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