Elderflower French 75 Recipe

Gin: A distilled alcoholic drink made from grain and flavored with juniper berries. It provides the base spirit for the cocktail.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed from lemons, it adds a bright, tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur.

Elderflower liqueur: A sweet, floral liqueur made from elderflowers. It adds a unique aromatic quality to the cocktail.

Champagne: A sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France. It adds effervescence and a touch of elegance to the drink.

Lemon peel: A twist of lemon peel is used as a garnish, adding a citrusy aroma and visual appeal.

When shaking the gin, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur in the cocktail shaker, make sure to shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. This ensures that the ingredients are well-mixed and chilled, resulting in a perfectly balanced and refreshing cocktail.

• gin - Substitute with non-alcoholic gin: This provides a similar botanical flavor without the alcohol content, making it suitable for a vegan and non-alcoholic version.

• fresh lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar tartness and acidity, which can complement the other flavors in the drink.

• elderflower liqueur - Substitute with elderflower syrup: Elderflower syrup provides the same floral notes without the alcohol, maintaining the essence of the original recipe.

• champagne - Substitute with sparkling white grape juice: Sparkling white grape juice mimics the effervescence and sweetness of champagne, making it a suitable non-alcoholic alternative.

• lemon peel - Substitute with lime peel: Lime peel can be used as a garnish to provide a similar citrus aroma and visual appeal.

• Store the gin, elderflower liqueur, and champagne in a cool, dark place to maintain their flavors. Ensure they are tightly sealed to prevent oxidation.
• Keep fresh lemon juice in the refrigerator. For best results, store it in an airtight container and use it within a few days to retain its vibrant flavor.
• If you have leftover lemon peel twists, store them in a small, airtight container in the fridge. They can last up to a week and still be used for garnishing.
• For a pre-mixed version of the Elderflower French 75, combine the gin, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur in a bottle and refrigerate. This mixture can be stored for up to 24 hours.
• When ready to serve, shake the pre-mixed ingredients with ice, strain into a flute, and top with chilled champagne.
• Avoid freezing the Elderflower French 75 as the champagne will lose its effervescence and the overall flavor profile may be compromised.
• If you must freeze, consider freezing the lemon juice in ice cube trays. This way, you can have fresh-tasting juice ready to go for your next cocktail.
• Always use fresh ingredients where possible to ensure the best taste and quality of your Elderflower French 75.

• Pour the Elderflower French 75 into a small saucepan.
• Heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warm. Be careful not to let it boil, as this will alter the flavors of the gin, elderflower liqueur, and champagne.
• Alternatively, pour the Elderflower French 75 into a microwave-safe glass.
• Microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, checking frequently to ensure it doesn't overheat.
• Once warmed, pour back into a champagne flute and garnish with a fresh twist of lemon peel.
• Enjoy immediately for the best taste and experience.

• Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the gin, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur with ice to ensure they are well combined and chilled.

• Ice: Essential for chilling the ingredients in the cocktail shaker.

• Strainer: Helps to strain the mixed liquid from the cocktail shaker into the champagne flute, leaving the ice behind.

• Champagne flute: The glass used to serve the Elderflower French 75, providing an elegant presentation.

• Jigger: A measuring tool used to accurately measure the gin, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur.

• Lemon zester: Used to create a twist of lemon peel for garnish.

• Knife: Needed to cut the lemon for juicing and to create the lemon peel twist.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface to cut the lemon.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the gin, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur ahead of time to streamline the process.

Use fresh lemon juice: Squeeze lemon juice in advance and store it in the fridge to save time during preparation.

Chill champagne: Keep your champagne chilled in the fridge so it's ready to pour without delay.

Prepare garnishes: Pre-cut your lemon peel twists and store them in an airtight container.

Batch cocktails: If making multiple servings, mix larger quantities of gin, lemon juice, and elderflower liqueur in a pitcher and shake individual servings as needed.