French 75

What is French 75?

The French 75 is one of the most celebrated classic cocktails in 20th century bar history, with a precisely documented origin at Harry's New York Bar in Paris around 1915. The drink was created by bartender Harry MacElhone (the bar's owner and namesake) and named after the French 75mm field gun (the Canon de 75 modèle 1897), one of the most effective and innovative artillery pieces of the First World War. The cocktail's signature kick, which combines gin's botanical structure with the acidic punch of lemon and the explosive lift of champagne, was said to resemble the impact of the artillery piece it was named after. The French 75 was popularised internationally through the 1930 publication of the Savoy Cocktail Book by bartender Harry Craddock, which solidified the recipe in cocktail canon and helped spread it across American and European bars. The drink also features prominently in the 1942 film Casablanca and has appeared in numerous classic Hollywood films, cementing its association with sophistication and old-world glamour. The French 75 belongs to the same family of champagne cocktails as the Bellini, the Mimosa, and the Kir Royale, but is distinguished by its higher alcohol content from the gin base and its sharper, more spirit-forward character that many craft cocktail enthusiasts consider the most sophisticated of the entire family.

Don't forget to see what other drinks you can make with the ingredients you already have in your bar.

Taste profile

The French 75 is bright, dry, and effervescent with a balance that has remained essentially unchanged for over a century. Champagne provides the dominant character: its dry stone-fruit notes, fine carbonation, and crisp acidity create the structural backbone of the drink and contribute the celebratory effervescence that defines the entire champagne cocktail family. Gin sits beneath the champagne as a subtle but essential foundation, contributing juniper and citrus peel botanicals that give the drink considerably more complexity than simpler champagne cocktails can achieve. Fresh lemon juice delivers the sharp citrus acidity that ties the gin and champagne together and provides the bright lift that prevents the drink from feeling heavy. Simple syrup adds just enough sweetness to balance the lemon's tartness without imposing additional flavour or shifting the drink toward dessert territory. The overall flavour is crisp, dry, citrus-forward, and aromatically complex, with a finish that lingers in pleasant gin botanicals balanced by champagne's clean acidity. The drink is genuinely one of the most refined classics in the standard repertoire and demonstrates how a perfectly balanced four-ingredient cocktail can outperform far more complex creations.

Serving suggestions

Use real Champagne where budget allows: as the dominant ingredient, the champagne's quality directly defines the finished cocktail more than any other component. A quality Brut Champagne (Veuve Clicquot, Moët & Chandon, Bollinger, or Taittinger) produces noticeably more complex results than budget alternatives. For everyday French 75s, a quality dry Prosecco (Mionetto Prosecco DOC, La Marca, or Bisol) makes an excellent substitute that produces a crisper, slightly fruitier variation closer to what many modern bars actually serve. Avoid sweet sparkling wines (Demi-Sec, Asti, or Lambrusco) entirely: the lemon juice and simple syrup provide all the sweetness the drink requires, and a sweet sparkling wine shifts the cocktail into dessert territory. Use a London dry gin such as Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Bombay Sapphire for the most authentic juniper-forward result, or experiment with contemporary gins like Hendrick's for a more floral interpretation. Chill the flute or coupe in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before pouring: a warm glass causes champagne to lose carbonation faster than almost any other preparation mistake. Garnish with a long thin lemon twist expressed over the surface to release the essential oils, then drape it elegantly on the rim. For special occasions, add an edible gold leaf for a celebratory visual that complements the drink's historical sophistication.

Why You'll Love It?

Ingredients for French 75

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Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a Champagne flute and top with the Champagne.
3. Garnish with a lemon twist.