FRENCH 75 [IBA]
Prohibition in the United States comes to a close, and the French 75 gains popularity among Americans following its publishing in the famed Savoy Cocktail Book.
Named for the French artillery piece, this cocktail is made with gin, champagne, lemon, and sugar, served in a champagne flute and garnished with a twist.
The drink with its current name and recipe developed over the 1920s, though similar drinks date to the 19th century. In the 19th century, the Champagne cup was a popular cocktail, consisting of champagne, lemon juice, sugar, and ice. Gin was sometimes added, yielding a drink much like the French 75
A fanciful alternative story of the invention of the French 75 was related by Jean Shepherd on November 17, 1969, wherein he credits Gervais Raoul Lufbery as the inventor.
The mixture, as related by Shepherd, is Champagne and Cognac on ice with perhaps a twist of lemon. This version is often known as a French 77, but is not credible, given the documented earlier version.
Recipe for ‘French 75’
- 3cl of Gin
- 6cl of Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tsp of Cane Sugar
- Garnish: Cherry
- Topping: Champagne
Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice except champagne. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with cherry.