French 75
Ingredients
- 60 ml Champagne
- 60 ml Champagne
- 15 ml Lemon Juice
- 30 ml Gin - London Dry
- 15 ml Lemon Juice
- 30 ml Gin - London Dry
- 15 ml Simple Syrup
- 15 ml Simple Syrup
Garnish
- Lemon
- Lemon
Tools & Glassware
- Shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Bar spoon
Directions
- Chill the glass
- Add the gin, simple syrup and lemon juice to a shaker
- Shake well
- Strain into glass
- Top with champagne
- Stir gently
- Garnish with a thin lemon twist
History
The French 75 cocktail dates back to World War I, when an early version was created at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris by bartender Harry MacElhone. The drink was named after the French 75mm field gun, known for its powerful impact, much like the cocktail itself. Originally, the French 75 was made with gin, apple brandy, grenadine, and lemon juice, but by the 1920s, the recipe evolved into its now-classic form: gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. It was first recorded as the "75" in Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails (1922) and later appeared in The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), which helped popularize it. The French 75 became a favourite in America, appearing at the Stork Club in New York and even making a cameo in the film Casablanca (1942)
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