French 75 Cocktail: A Classic Gin & Champagne Drink

Oh, the French 75 ,  the cocktail that turns every sip into a celebration! Imagine the perfect marriage of crisp gin, fresh lemon juice, a touch of sweetness, and gorgeous Champagne bubbles dancing in your glass. Born from the dazzling glamour of 1920s Paris, this iconic classic is elegant, effervescent, and absolutely impossible to resist. It’s sophisticated yet fun, fancy yet effortless ,  pure magic in a flute! 

With Liquor Loot, exploring premium spirits online in Australia has never been easier. Grab your favourite gin, pop open some bubbly, and get ready to shake up something truly spectacular. Cheers!

About the French 75 Cocktail

The French 75 cocktail dates back to World War I, with the first early version created in 1915. In reference to its powerful boozy kick, this cocktail is named after the French 75mm Field Gun, a fast-firing and reliable artillery cannon. While the combination is potent, the marriage of gin and Champagne is a match made in heaven that balances out for a deliciously refreshing blend that is sure to be a hit at your next celebration.

What is the Best Type of Gin for the French 75 Cocktail Recipe?

Picking the right gin and the right Champagne makes all the difference when you’re after an unforgettable French 75 recipe. Here’s what actually matters:

Gin

• London Dry Gin is your classic choice. It’s crisp, packed with juniper, and just hits that perfect balance with lemon and Champagne. That’s the taste most people picture when they think of a French 75 cocktail.

• If you want something a bit softer, go for Plymouth Gin. It’s smoother, slightly sweeter, and brings a nice warmth to the drink. Great if you’re not into too much bite.

• Old Tom Gin is on the sweeter side, so you can pull back on the sugar syrup and still end up with a drink that tastes just right.

• Feeling playful? Try a flavoured gin, cucumber, elderflower, or something citrusy. It adds a twist, but watch out: if the gin’s already sweet, cut back on the syrup.

• Steer clear of gins that are heavy on spice or oily flavours. They’ll just drown out the Champagne and leave the drink tasting muddled instead of crisp and bright.

Try this classic cocktail with a premium range of gin online at Liquor Loot for the perfect balance and brightness.

Champagne & Sparkling Wine

• Real Champagne is classic for a reason. The fine bubbles and toasty notes just work so well with gin and lemon.

• Prosecco makes a great, wallet-friendly swap. It’s lighter and fruitier, but still brings plenty of fizz to the party.

• Australian sparkling wine deserves a shout too, especially if you’re pairing it with a good Australian gin. It’s got its own sharp, refreshing character.

One last thing, always chill your sparkling wine as cold as you can get it. That keeps the bubbles lively and the cocktail ice-cold from the very first sip.

How to Make a French 75 Cocktail

List of French 75 ingredients

• 30ml Gin

• 10ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

• 10ml Sugar syrup (1 part sugar : 1 part water)

• 60ml Champagne

Garnish

• Lemon peel (fresh, for a beautiful and fragrant finishing touch)

Glassware

• Champagne flute

Ice

• Ice cubes (for shaking only,  the finished drink is served without ice)

Equipment Checklist

• Cocktail shaker

• Hawthorn strainer

• Fine mesh strainer (for a silky-smooth pour)

• Champagne flute

• Citrus juicer (for freshly squeezed lemon juice)

• Measuring jigger

Instructions

Step 1: Measure Everything First  

Before you do anything else, get all your ingredients ready. Measure out 30ml of your favourite gin, 10ml of fresh lemon juice, and 10ml of sugar syrup. Pour each into a small bowl or set them out right next to your shaker. Seriously, nailing the measurements makes a world of difference ,  that’s how you get a drink that’s perfectly balanced, not just close enough.

Step 2: Chill Your Glass  

Pop your champagne flute in the freezer for about five minutes. It sounds like a small thing, but a cold glass keeps your cocktail crisp and the bubbles lively. It’s one of those easy tricks that just makes the whole drink feel a little more special.

Step 3: Build Your Cocktail Base  

Now toss your gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup into the shaker. This is the core of your French 75 ,  the gin brings the botanicals, the lemon wakes everything up, and the syrup smooths it all out. Give them a quick swirl together so they’re ready for the next step.

Step 4: Load Up on Ice  

Fill your shaker right to the top with ice cubes. Don’t skimp here. The more ice, the better the chill and the smoother the dilution. This is what keeps your cocktail fresh and balanced instead of watered-down or too strong.

Step 5: Shake Like You Mean It  

Slap the lid on tight and shake hard for about 10 seconds. Go for it ,  put some muscle into it. This is where the magic happens, giving your drink that silky, almost frothy texture and making sure everything blends just right.

Step 6: Double Strain Into the Glass  

Grab your Hawthorn strainer and a fine mesh strainer, and pour your cocktail into that frosty flute. Double straining catches any tiny shards of ice or pulp, so your drink ends up perfectly clear and super smooth. No ice in the glass ,  just the good stuff.

Step 7: Top with Champagne  

Slowly pour 60ml of chilled Champagne into your flute. Take your time, don’t rush it, and definitely don’t stir. You want those bubbles to hang around ,  they’re what make a French 75 feel so light and festive.

Step 8: Add the Finishing Touch  

Twist a strip of lemon peel and drop it in, or get fancy and flame it before expressing over the drink for a burst of aroma. It’s a tiny detail, but it really finishes things off. Serve right away ,  and enjoy every sip.

Food Pairings

The French 75 cocktail  is not just a drink ,  it’s an experience. And pairing it with the right food takes that experience to a whole new level. Here are some of our favourite combinations:

Seafood Delights: Pan-Seared Scallops, Classic Prawn Cocktail, and Fresh Oysters

Cheese Boards: Creamy Brie or Camembert, Sharp Aged Cheddar or Chèvre

Light Appetisers: Bruschetta with Fresh Tomato & Basil & Caprese Salad

Citrus-Based Desserts: Classic Lemon Tart & Tangy Lime Posset

Herb-Crusted Dishes:  Pan-Roasted Herb Chicken Breast & Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Bartender’s Top Tips

Want your French 75 recipe to really stand out? Here’s what the pros do behind the bar to nail this classic cocktail every time:

• First, use fresh lemon juice. Seriously, don’t even think about reaching for the bottled stuff. Nothing beats the bright, zippy kick you get from squeezing a lemon right before you shake. Your drink will taste cleaner, sharper, just better.

• Next, chill everything. And I mean everything, your glass, your Champagne, your shaker. Cold ingredients make a French 75 crisp and refreshing, and those little details add up when you’re trying to get it just right.

• When it comes time to shake, don’t go overboard. Ten seconds of hard shaking is plenty. If you shake it too much, you’ll water down the flavours and lose that punch you want. You’re aiming for cold, frothy, and perfectly balanced, not a sad, diluted mess.

• Now, the Champagne. Pour it in last, and do it gently. The bubbles are the magic here, so don’t rush or stir after you add them. Just pour slowly and serve right away. You want those lively bubbles dancing in every sip.

• And about the garnish, sure, a lemon twist is the classic move, but why not mix it up? Try a sprig of thyme, an edible flower, or a thin lemon wheel. It’s a small touch, but it adds something special, both to the look and the aroma. Have some fun with it.

FAQs

1. Can I use flavoured gin in a French 75 cocktail recipe?

Absolutely, go for it. Flavoured gins like elderflower, cucumber, or citrus give the classic French 75 a fresh spin. Just remember, if your gin’s already a bit sweet, cut back on the sugar syrup. Taste as you mix and tweak it until it feels right.

2. Is a French 75 traditionally served with ice?

Nope, no ice in the glass. The French 75 gets shaken with ice to chill it, then it’s strained into a champagne flute, no cubes, no fuss. This keeps the drink crisp and the bubbles lively, so you get that clean, sparkling finish.

3. Can I use Prosecco instead of Champagne?

Yes, for sure. Champagne’s the original, but Prosecco makes a great, wallet-friendly swap. Even a good Aussie sparkling wine works. Just make sure whatever bubbles you use are ice cold. That’s what keeps the drink extra refreshing.

4. How do I keep my French 75 bubbly for longer?

Temperature is everything. Chill your sparkler well, and stick your glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before you pour. Serve the cocktail right after you make it, the first sips are always the fizziest.

5. Can I make a batch of French 75s for a party?

You bet. Mix the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup ahead of time and keep it cold. But don’t add the Champagne until the last minute, right before serving. That way, every glass comes out fresh and fizzy.

6. What if I don’t have a cocktail shaker?

No shaker? No problem. Grab a big mason jar with a tight lid and use that instead. It’s not perfect, but if you shake it a little longer and harder, you’ll get everything nicely mixed and chilled.

Make a Perfect French 75 Cocktail with Liquor Loot

That’s it, the secret to a knockout French 75 cocktail recipe. You don’t need a shelf full of fancy bottles or a mixology certificate. Just good gin, great Champagne, fresh lemon, and a little confidence. Whether you’re new to mixing drinks or you’ve made a hundred cocktails, the French 75 never disappoints, elegant, refreshing, and always memorable.

So grab your shaker, chill your glasses, and pop that Champagne. Your new favourite cocktail is just a shake away. And don’t forget, the best drink is always the one in your hand, especially with good friends and a little sparkle in the air. Cheers!