French 75

Recommended by Brandie Lee

Of all the bars, in all the towns, in all the world, you’ve unfortunately found yourself at a loud, tourist-laden spot with an inauspicious bartender. Well, the G&T is your fail-safe choice. It’s fresh and uncomplicated, and you can’t really mess it up. (It’s quite literally Gin and Tonic. ...and a lime wedge if you’re lucky).  BUT if you’re anywhere else or hosting a patio party on a warm weekend, might I suggest a French 75?  

The cocktail first showed up about a century ago and garnered its name from a high-powered WWI field gun. I was introduced to it by my swanky brother who was playing bartender at - of all things - my grandmother’s surprise 80th birthday party. We had arranged for two cocktails to be served at her party, and one was the French 75. Among her friends, we later learned, were a few prohibitionists of the Baptist varietal, so if the presence of alcohol wasn’t enough to alarm their propriety, I imagine the second cocktail did the trick…we served a beverage called “Sex on the Beach”. But I digress. Thankfully my grandmother is an appreciator of good spirits. This was also her first taste of the 75, and she loved it!

The concoction is a fresh medley of lemon and bubbles dancing on your tongue, and yet it’s not quite as gin-forward as most other gin cocktails. With citrus, sugar, gin, and champagne, the French 75 is basically the lesser-known, booziers cousin of Tom Collins. Apparently Teetotalling-Tom has been holding out on us! You can keep your club soda, Tom. I’ll take sparkling wine any day.

It’s 2020. And at the risk of throwing more shade, margaritas and mimosas have enjoyed their time in the sun. Rosé has had its day and tonic is tired. So as spring approaches, let’s give this 1920’s era drink it’s beautiful due. Friend-zone the usual suspects and have the fling your palate has been waiting for. I think you’ll find you pair really well with this gin and champagne cocktail. And who knows? This may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. 

The French 75:

½ oz Lemon juice

½ oz Simple syrup

1 oz Dry Gin

2-3 oz champagne (or prosecco) 

Garnish: Lemon twist

Stir lemon juice, simple syrup and gin with ice and strain into champagne glass. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

Pre-batching for a party?  Convert the measurements to suit the guest list. Mix the first 3 ingredients together and add a little bit of water to account for the lack of ice since you will pre-chill it. Refrigerate until party time. When ready to serve, pour about 2 oz of the batch in each glass and top with chilled champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.  

<Gimlet