The French 75 is the most elegant cocktail you can make in three minutes. Gin, lemon, sugar, topped with cold sparkling wine. It's bright, dry, dangerously drinkable, and it makes any evening feel like a celebration.
Our house version uses Naught Classic Dry Gin, a juniper-led London Dry style that holds its own against the citrus and bubbles instead of disappearing into them.
INGREDIENTS:
- 25ml Naught Classic Dry Gin
- 20ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15ml Semi-Rich Sugar Syrup
- Top with chilled dry sparkling wine (60-90ml)
GARNISH:
- Lemon Twist
INSTRUCTIONS:
Add the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake hard for 10 seconds.
Fine-strain into a champagne coupe or flute. Top with cold dry sparkling wine, pouring slowly to preserve the bubbles. Garnish with a lemon twist expressed over the surface.
What sparkling wine should you use?
The French 75 is forgiving but rewards good sparkling. A dry Australian sparkling (a NV blanc de blancs or a brut from the Yarra or Tasmania) works beautifully. Same climate as the rest of the cocktail, no need to pay French champagne prices for a mixed drink. Save the actual Champagne for the New Year's toast.
You'll also love
- Sanjo Spritz, our Sangiovese twist on a French 75, with red-fruit depth
- Bee's Knees, the honey-and-lemon gin sour, no bubbles needed
- Naught Martini, the other quintessential celebration cocktail
Frequently asked questions
What is a French 75?
The French 75 is a classic champagne cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and topped with cold dry sparkling wine. Bright, dry, and built for celebrations. It's served in a champagne flute or coupe with a lemon twist garnish.
What's the best gin for a French 75?
A juniper-led London Dry holds its own against the citrus and bubbles. Naught Classic Dry Gin works exactly because it's structured. The cocktail stays balanced rather than washing out under the sparkling.
Champagne or prosecco in a French 75?
Either works. Champagne is the traditional choice and gives the most elegant result. Prosecco is fruitier, slightly sweeter, and much more affordable. A dry Australian sparkling (Tasmanian or Yarra Valley) is our preferred middle ground: crisp, dry, and made for the same climate as the rest of the cocktail.
What's the difference between a French 75 and a Tom Collins?
Same base of gin, lemon, sugar, but the French 75 is topped with sparkling wine, while a Tom Collins is topped with soda water. The French 75 is the celebration version; the Tom Collins is the long, refreshing, lower-ABV cousin.
Can I make a French 75 with cognac instead of gin?
Yes. Some bartenders and cocktail historians argue this is the original recipe and gin is the modern variation. The cognac version is rounder, warmer, and slightly less sharp. Both are legitimate. We make ours with gin.
How do I batch a French 75 for a party?
Pre-mix the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup (skip the sparkling) at the recipe ratio, multiply by the number of drinks needed, and chill in a sealed bottle. When guests arrive, pour 60ml of the pre-mix into a coupe and top with sparkling wine. The dilution from shaking comes from a small amount of ice added just before serving, or from a few stirred ice cubes in the bottle.
