French 75 Recipe

Gin: A distilled alcoholic beverage made from juniper berries, providing a distinct botanical flavor.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, adding a tart and refreshing citrus note.

Simple syrup: A sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, used to balance the tartness of the lemon juice.

Champagne: A sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France, adding effervescence and a touch of elegance.

Lemon peel: A twist of lemon peel used as a garnish, adding a fragrant citrus aroma.

When shaking the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in the cocktail shaker, make sure to use plenty of ice to chill the mixture thoroughly. This ensures that the drink is well-balanced and refreshing. Additionally, when topping with champagne, pour it slowly to maintain the bubbles and avoid overflowing the glass.

• gin - Substitute with non-alcoholic gin: Provides a similar botanical flavor without the alcohol, maintaining the essence of the drink.

• champagne - Substitute with sparkling white grape juice: Mimics the effervescence and sweetness of champagne without the alcohol.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Offers a similar sweetness and consistency, making it a suitable vegan alternative.

• lemon peel - Substitute with lemon zest: Provides the same citrus aroma and flavor for garnish.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Adds a similar acidic and fresh citrus flavor, though slightly different in taste.

• To store the simple syrup, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for about a month, ensuring you have a ready supply for your next French 75.
• If you have leftover lemon juice, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag. This way, you can easily pop out a cube or two when you need fresh lemon juice for your cocktails.
• Store your gin in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. This helps maintain its quality and flavor.
• Champagne should be stored in a cool, dark place as well. If you have an opened bottle, use a champagne stopper to keep it fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator.
• For the lemon peel garnish, store any extra twists in a small airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for a few days, ready to add a zesty touch to your next drink.
• If you want to prepare the French 75 in advance, mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup together and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply shake with ice, strain, and top with champagne.
• Avoid freezing the entire French 75 cocktail as the champagne will lose its effervescence and the overall flavor profile may be compromised.

• Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture into a small saucepan.
• Gently warm the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
• Once warmed, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
• Pour the warmed mixture into a champagne flute.
• Top with chilled champagne to maintain the effervescence.
• Garnish with a fresh lemon peel twist for that final touch of elegance.

• Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice to chill and blend the ingredients.

• Jigger: A measuring tool to accurately measure the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

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

• Strainer: Used to strain the mixed cocktail into the champagne flute, ensuring no ice or solid ingredients are poured in.

• Champagne flute: The glassware used to serve the French 75, enhancing its presentation and maintaining the bubbles of the champagne.

• Lemon zester: A tool to create the lemon twist garnish, adding a decorative and aromatic touch to the cocktail.

• Bar spoon: Useful for gently stirring the champagne into the cocktail if needed, ensuring a smooth blend without losing too many bubbles.

Pre-make simple syrup: Prepare a batch of simple syrup in advance and store it in the fridge. This saves time when making multiple cocktails.

Use bottled lemon juice: If you're in a rush, opt for high-quality bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons.

Chill ingredients: Keep your gin and champagne chilled. This reduces the need for excessive shaking and ensures a cold drink.

Pre-cut lemon twists: Prepare your lemon twists ahead of time and store them in an airtight container to save time on garnishing.