Cocktailing | French 75 — Alexandra Hedin | Family Friendly Recipes & Cocktails

This drink is steeped in controversy, mostly because my friend and I have a different story of the nature of this popular drink - if it’s made with cognac or gin, like I think. At the Savoy the recipe calls for gin, in Paris it’s cognac - but both are a win!

In a shaker stir together lemon and sugar - add gin and ice & shake with vigor. Strain into a glass and top with champagne. This Valentine’s Day will be anything but plain!

Here’s a snapshot of the history

1867 Charles Dickens visits Boston and drinks “Champagne Cups with Tom Gin” (a Champagne Cup is champagne, sugar and lemon over ice)

1915 Harry’s New York Bar in Paris claims to create the drink and names it for the French 75mm field gun because of the kick.

1918 Arnaud’s in New Orleans opens and features the French 75 - made with cognac - on it’s cocktail menu

1927 The French 75 appears in print in a New York humor magazine made with gin.

1930 the Savoy publishes a recipe made with gin

1932 “The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks” insists the drink be made with cognac

French 75

3/4 ounce lemon juice

1 tsp sugar

2 ounces gin (or VSOP Cognac)

2 ounces champagne

In a cocktail shaker, stir together lemon juice and sugar. Fill the shaker with ice and pour in the gin. Shake well. Strain into a champagne glass and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.