French 75 Cocktail
This classic rolls my two favorite types of booze, gin and champagne, into one glamorous cocktail. Apparently this drink was invented to give champagne “more kick” in 1915. We’ve been gifting gin to friends who we’d normally be drinking with. There has been an explosion of independent, craft gin producers over the last five years. I prefer my gin clean and dry, not too botanical, but I'm a sucker for handsome bottles and typography, and have been sampling a selection from both coasts.
Makes: 1 Cocktail
Simple Syrup
If you haven’t made simple syrup before it’s quick and so simple. No need to buy it. Ever.
1 : 1 sugar and water
In a saucepan, combine ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water, and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved. Cool and bottle.
Ingredients
2 ounces (¼ cup) gin
¾ ounces (1 ½ tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
¾ ounces (1 ½ tablespoons) simple syrup
2 ounces (¼ cup) Champagne, chilled
Lemon twists (long strips of lemon peel, to serve)
Instructions
- Using a peeler or paring knife, peel the lemon rind in a long ribbon to make a thin spiral. Wrap the peel around your pinky finger to encourage the spiral. Set aside to use as garnish.
- Combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker or mason jar.
- Fill the shaker or jar with ice, cover tightly, and shake until the outside of the shaker is very cold and lightly frosted, about 30 seconds.
- Strain into a large champagne flute, or a coupe glass, top with champagne, and garnish with the lemon twist. Drink immediately. Quickly follow with another.