The French 75: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Elegant, sparkling, and with a hidden kick — the French 75 is the definition of refined power. It looks delicate in its flute, but don’t be fooled. This cocktail is named after a World War I field gun, a nod to the punch it packs beneath its bubbly surface.

Equal parts Parisian charm and battlefield grit, the French 75 is the rare drink that marries champagne’s grace with gin’s precision. It’s celebration and sophistication — with just enough danger to keep it interesting.

I. Origins

The French 75 owes its name — and its bite — to the Canon de 75 modèle 1897, a French field gun famed for its speed, precision, and impact during World War I.

The drink itself emerged during or shortly after the war, likely in Paris around 1915, when bartenders began combining gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. The effect was explosive — “like being shelled by a French 75,” as one soldier quipped.

The first written recipe appeared in Harry MacElhone’s 1927 Barflies and Cocktails, though a similar formula appeared even earlier in The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930). Over time, the drink became the quintessential celebratory cocktail — an evolution of the gin sour, elevated by effervescence.

And despite its militaristic name, it has always felt more like a peace treaty than a weapon — a truce between spirit and sparkle.

II. Historical Evolution

The Jazz Age (1920s–1930s)

In the postwar years, the French 75 became the toast of Paris and London’s café society. Its combination of citrus and champagne embodied the optimism of the era — light, refined, and liberating after years of hardship.

The cocktail soon crossed the Atlantic, appearing on menus at the Stork Club and New York’s 21 Club, where it became a favorite among high society.

Mid-Century Shifts

During the 1940s and 1950s, variations began emerging. Some bartenders substituted cognac for gin, creating a richer, deeper version associated with French heritage. Others added different champagnes or adjusted sugar ratios, making it sweeter and more accessible.

Modern Renaissance

The modern craft movement restored the French 75’s structure to its original glory: a gin sour topped with brut Champagne. It now stands as one of the most elegant sparkling cocktails ever devised — celebratory, balanced, and deceptively potent.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The French 75 walks the line between cocktail and champagne service. Its power lies in its contrast — the sharpness of gin and citrus against the softness of sparkling wine.

Core Components

• Gin: London Dry for classic clarity or floral gin for softer notes.

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed; brightness is essential.

• Simple Syrup: Balances acidity and dryness.

• Champagne: Brut or extra brut to prevent cloying sweetness.

The Golden Ratio

• 1 oz gin

• 0.5 oz lemon juice

• 0.5 oz simple syrup

• 2–3 oz chilled Champagne

This builds balance between effervescence and structure.

IV. Cultural Significance

The French 75 is a paradox in a glass — refined but forceful, timeless but modern.

It represents the postwar joie de vivre of 1920s Paris: the rebirth of pleasure after destruction. It’s the sound of corks popping in Montmartre cafés, the sparkle of laughter at the Ritz, and the spirit of resilience dressed in bubbles.

The drink’s dual nature — gin’s crisp authority softened by Champagne’s romantic lilt — has made it a symbol of both celebration and sophistication.

It’s also a bridge between two worlds: the precision of British gin culture and the elegance of French sparkling wine. The result is a diplomatic masterpiece in liquid form.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic French 75

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 ml) London Dry gin

• 0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz (15 ml) simple syrup (1:1)

• 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) chilled brut Champagne

Method

1. Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice.

2. Strain into a chilled flute or coupe.

3. Top with Champagne.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Specs

• Glass: Flute (traditional) or coupe (vintage style)

• Ice: Shaken, served up

• Garnish: Lemon twist

• Style: Sparkling gin sour

Technique Notes

• Shake lightly — over-dilution mutes Champagne’s sparkle.

• Use a dry brut Champagne; sweetness will disrupt balance.

• Express lemon oils gently over the glass to perfume the drink.

Variations & Lineage

• Cognac French 75: Sub cognac for gin — richer and silkier.

• French 76: Use vodka instead of gin for a cleaner profile.

• Elderflower 75: Add a dash of elderflower liqueur for floral notes.

• Winter 75: Add spiced syrup or a touch of honey for warmth.

Service & Pairing Tip

• Perfect for brunch, weddings, or New Year’s Eve.

• Pairs beautifully with oysters, smoked salmon, or macarons.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

The French 75 remains a benchmark of balance in modern mixology.

Its structure has inspired countless sparkling cocktails, from tequila- and rum-based riffs to low-ABV spritz versions. Its enduring appeal lies in its adaptability — equally at home at a jazz brunch or a Michelin-starred tasting menu.

Beyond technique, the French 75 carries a message: that resilience and joy can coexist. A century after its birth, it still speaks the universal language of celebration after struggle.

Every pop of Champagne cork is an echo of that first toast — to survival, to love, to life itself.