French 75 Champagne Cocktail

The French 75 Champagne Cocktail is an elegant cocktail with a history; perfect for any celebration but we especially love to serve them on New Year’s Eve.

French 75 Champagne Cocktail

Several years ago I yearned for something a bit unique for the New Year; something more than ‘just’ a glass of Champagne but not what has become my standard of simply adding Champagne to a liqueur either. I’ve done that a lot over many holiday seasons with the Cranberry liqueur I make. I love it but it was time for something new, something even more elegant.

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This was it; the French 75. Named after the 75-MM M1897, a mainstay of the French field artillery in WWI, it was a potent little gun and this is a solid namesake…it’s a potent little drink! Known to have been a favorite of the Lost Generation including apparently Ernest Hemingway who, though known for his ability to partake with great gusto, was also known to secure a definite buzz with a French 75.

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There are variations to this drink including the use of cognac in lieu of gin and some pour it over ice in a Collins glass. I prefer mine shaken and poured straight up so that it doesn’t get diluted!

French 75 Champagne Cocktail

While this recipe calls for Champagne, truth be told I seldom buy the French bubbly…maybe that’s a sacrilege when making this French namesake cocktail but the price point can be a killer if I’m entertaining and I need something for a crowd.

So for me it’s usually Prosecco from Italy or Cava from Spain or even a good sparkling wine from California. Today was a Cava sort of day and this Segura Vuidas Reserva Heredad was perfect.

French 75 Champagne Cocktail

Simple, beautiful and bubbly; the French 75 Champagne Cocktail is perfect to toast the New Year. So to everyone; I say Cheers and I’m wishing you a very safe and Happy New Year!!

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French 75 Champagne Cocktail Backlit for New Years Eve

Need some more ideas? Here are readers favorites for New Years 2014!

French 75 Cocktail

French 75 Champagne Cocktail

Barbara Baker
A fantastic drink combing gin, lemon, sugar and sparkling wine; our favorite for New Years Eve.
5 from 50 or more votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Champagne, Prosecco and Cava, Cocktails
Cuisine French
Servings 2 Cocktails
Calories 189 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 ounces gin
  • 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon superfine granulated sugar or simple syrup
  • 1 ½ cups ice cubes
  • 1 cup chilled Champagne Or use Prosecco or Cava
  • Lemon twists for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, sugar, and ice cubes and shake to chill.
  • Strain cocktails into 2 champagne flutes and top off with champagne.
  • Garnish glass with a lemon twist.

Notes

 
 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
French 75 Champagne Cocktail
Serving Size
 
1 Cocktail
Amount per Serving
Calories
189
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sodium
 
18
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
3
%
Protein
 
0.2
g
0
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Calories
189
Keyword champagne, cocktail, French 75, prosecco
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Some Oldies but Goodies!

47 Comments

    1. Thanks John…I didn’t love them when I was doing them but for once I appreciated them better when I saw them in Photoshop. I like the fizz coming off the top that I couldn’t see in the viewfinder!

      Reply

    1. Did you make it Jen? I did! I only do them on NYE so each year I’m reminded of how special they are. Happy New Year!

      Reply

    1. It is one of mine now Lisa; we just loved it and not just for New Year’s. I typically keep a couple of bottles of cava on hand; we’ll be doing this again I know.

      Reply

    1. Thank you Raquel; I won’t do it with champagne on a regular basis but with my favorite sparking beverage, Cava? Absolutely…I love champagne but cava is more reasonably priced and allows a special drink like this a bit more often.

      Reply

  9. I love that we did such similar drinks for NYE! This really is the perfect celebratory cocktail. And, of course, the history of the cocktail is great. I love that it’s named after a gun. 🙂 Happy new year! Hope that 2012 is fabulous for you.

    Reply

    1. I know right? I do believe that name and history are what first made it so appealing. It’s tough but doesn’t look it! Fun that we were on the same page and a good page it was. Wishing the same for you Lindsay!

      Reply

    1. To you too Callye. BTW a birdie whispered in my ear the other day. SO complimentary of your work. You should be proud.

      Reply

    1. Thanks Winnie and certainly Cheers to you…and who knows, this might be the year…I gotta get out of this place! I’ve been more and more mobile; the idea of traveling is still a lot to imagine but I can’t let this stupid leg and a cane keep me stuck forever can I? You’re always welcome out west too you know? 🙂 Happy New Year Winnie.

      Reply

  14. If a French 75 is on a recipe list, I usually order it. I never knew what the “75” was all about – so thanks!

    Thank you for your friendship this year – have a wonderful and happy New Years!!!!

    [K]

    Reply

    1. It is funny that something so delicate looking was named after basically a machine gun…but it made me careful. No downing quickly for this girl!

      Thank you too Kim, have loved getting to know you and always delighted when you stop by…take good care and of course, Happy New Year!

      Reply

  15. The idea of gin, lemon and champagne sounds so appealing to me. The perfect New Year’s cocktail indeed! The lighting in your photo is just lovely, Barb. Happy New Year to you!

    Reply

  17. This is stunningly beautiful! A Champagne company needs to contact you to use it as an advertisement. I don’t drink anymore, but if I did…I would be all over this like a ….well, I would be all over it. 🙂 Happy New Year!

    Reply

  18. I have never heard of this, sounds interesting….I am so used to making my own skinny cocktails with voli vodka, I think I might check this one out to think outside the box

    Reply

  20. Your picture looks beautiful! And I love that you did a classic champagne cocktail for New Year’s Eve. I did that too. I’m not a big fan of gin, but the fact that it uses sugar and lemon juice and was a favorite of Hemingway, means I may have to give this drink a try.

    Reply

  21. Barbara – what delicious looking drop. Anything with a dash of gin wins my vote. And, of course, Hemingway really knew his booze didn’t he!
    Many thanks for your friendship and support this year – I look forward to sharing more foodie experiences with you in the coming year.
    Have a happy, safe and laughter-filled new year, with best wishes from sweltering South Australia! (Temp is forecast to go well over 100F in the next few days!)

    Reply

  22. Even though I suffered a bout of food poisoning this morning, and am currently nursing strawberry gatorade, somehow, I want a glass of this – this very moment. It looks lovely and elegant. Happy New Year to you! xo

    Reply

  27. What a beautiful photo! Lovely recipe for New Year’s celebrations.

    I’m ready to move into 2012 now. The cake is made and the dog is cleaned up from his meringue feast.

    Reply

    1. It’s a surprising light combination; it’s a new favorite now too! And thank you…after spending 2 days making the cake I might have put some time into getting a decent photo. It’s not like I’m going to have a redo the next day!

      Reply

    1. It does add something to the mystique of a drink to know the back story doesn’t it? Happy New Year to you too Michele.

      Reply
5 from 9 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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