French 75

Name: French 75
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar; 1 ounce gin or Cognac; 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice; 2 ounces Champagne; Lemon twist

By Robert Simonson

Updated Feb. 25, 2025

French 75 — Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Rating: 5(390)
Comments: Read comments

Most people think nothing of popping a bottle of Champagne on New Year’s Eve. Yet after that first celebratory glass, few consider taking an extra step and using the wine as the foundation for a cocktail or two.

“They’re bright and crisp and delicious,” said Meaghan Dorman, a bartender at Raines Law Room in the Flatiron District. And ideal for New Year’s Eve. “They are usually low in spirit, so if I’m out having a few drinks, I would have French 75s. It’s wine and spirit, so I’d feel I wasn’t overdoing it on superstrong spirit drinks.”

She and her fellow bartender Lauren Davis call this judicious drinking tactic the Champagne Maintain. “It’s our theory on lasting all night and still staying a lady,” Ms. Dorman said.

Featured in: Champagne’s Fancy Tricks

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

1cup sugar
1ounce gin or Cognac
½ounce fresh lemon juice
2ounces Champagne
Lemon twist

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Make simple syrup: In a saucepan over low heat, warm sugar in 1 cup water until dissolved. Cool to room temperature before using. (There will be extra syrup; refrigerate if not using immediately.)
Step 2
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake gin or Cognac, lemon juice and ½ ounce simple syrup.
Step 3
Strain into chilled flute or cocktail coupe. Top with Champagne. Garnish with lemon twist.

Ratings

5 out of 5

390 user ratings

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Comments

dimmerswitch7 years ago

1) Proportions in recipe are perfect & easy enough for 'NO special occasion' cocktail. 2) Any good London dry gin works well. A good Prosecco or Cava or US sparkling wine works too instead of expensive Champagne. 3) Good way to use the little bit of 'leftover bubbly' from 'day before'. 4) Shaking well in Step 2 is KEY to proper chill. 5) Step 3 - flute not coupe. :-) 6) Simple syrup made ahead & stored in glass container in fridge keeps for weeks.

AnneG7 years ago

Excellent cocktail. I asked a French friend about the origin of its name, ("soixante quinze" in France). The cocktail was invented in Paris for the flyers (?) on leave from the Front during WW1, and it refers to the mm bore of their cannons.

Gary5 years ago

Not sure what the "champagne maintain" is about. This is called a French 75 because, like the old French 75mm howitzer, it packs a real wallop. And it will get on top of you quickly, so drink carefully. The original was invented by a French Ace in WWI and used cognac instead of gin. I prefer the gin version--essentially a Tom Collins with champagne instead of soda. My theory on life: Every drink is better with champagne instead of soda. Try champagne in a mojito (add a dash of bitters).

Melanie4 weeks ago

I sub St. Germaine for the simple syrup- and use Empress gin for a beautiful purple cocktail. It's definitely not a "light" drink!

Neena4 weeks ago

If you prefer tequila and lime as I do, sub out the gin and lemons and make it a Mexican 75.

Lisa L8 months ago

This absolutely has to be made with Hendricks gin, which should be ice cold.

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