Here at The Consumatorium, we’ve been on a roll mixing drinks dominated by Rye and Bourbon. In our defense, it’s been damned cold outside, Polar Vortex and all, and we needed a little help getting warmed up. But Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and it’s time for us to mix some cocktails that are a bit, shall we say, kinder and gentler. Perhaps made for those special people in our lives that don’t enjoy getting punched in the gut with four fingers of hooch right out of the barrel.
The French 75 Cocktail fits the bill perfectly. Champagne (or your favorite sparkling wine) is it’s main ingredient, which is backed by Gin, some simple syrup and lemon juice. It’s a sleeper of a drink that might be perfect for creating an environment for some amorous activity later in the evening – if you know what I mean . . . It’s also one of the classic drinks that we list in our definitive list of classic cocktails.
Somewhat less romantic than the use of the drink as we propose is the origin of its name. Apparently, during Word War I, the French had a nasty piece of artillery, the 75-millimeter M1897. Small and lethal. After the War, a soldier created the drink to be just like its namesake – very strong, but with subtle flavors. The original called for a much larger dose of Gin. The recipe has been toned down over the years, adjusting for changes in liquor and tastes. Some recipes call for as little as 1/2 oz of Gin, I prefer going a little stronger, but still way under the originally prescribed 2-3 oz.
- 1 oz Gin (I used Plymouth Gin)
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup (1:1)
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Enough Brut Champagne or Dry Sparkling Wine to fill the glass
- Lemon twist for Garnish
Pour Gin, Simple Syrup and Lemon Juice into a shaker with ice and shake until cold. Strain ingredients into a champagne flute and top off with Champagne. If your flute is small or narrow, add to the top. If larger, like the one in this picture, about 2/3rds of the way works well. Garnish with the lemon twist.
Enjoy your drink and the rest of your evening. With The French 75, you may not need that Rye or Bourbon to stay warm late into the evening 🙂