As much as I love original cocktail recipes, I can’t get over how insanely good these French 75 variations are!
I promise you’ll love these bubbly drinks.
10 Best French 75 Recipes
The French 75 is an old classic dating back to the Prohibition Era.
So yeah, this roaring 20s cocktail has been around for well over a hundred years (if not longer!).
It’s tasty, simple, and strong, with a light citrus flavor and tons of bubbles.
But these French 75 variations take the beloved Champagne cocktail and amps it up to eleven.
Try them all and let me know which you like best!
What Is the French 75?
The French 75 is a cocktail with Champagne, gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice. Its origins are disputed – some say New York, others say London or France – but it’s generally agreed that it was created in the early 1900s. A twist on the Tom Collins, it’s light, bright, bubbly, and potent.
The Tom Collins was invented in the late 1800s and features a strong mix of lemon juice, gin, sugar, and soda water.
In contrast, the French 75 uses Champagne instead of soda water for an even boozier and elegant finish.
The History of French 75
A quick google search will give you a lot of different answers about how this drink came to be.
Here are just a few of the stories:
- The French 75 recipe was first printed in 1927 in New York, in “Here’s How!” (a small publication for bootleggers) smack in the Prohibition Era.
- The recipe was picked up and published again a few years later in the “1930 Savoy Cocktail Book”.
- It was invented back in 1919 by a bartender at the Buck’s Club in London and later published in “The ABC of Mixing Drinks”.
- The French 75 was first made in the New York Bar in Paris in 1915.
- It was created in France in 1914 and named the “Soixante-Quinze” after the World War I gun, the French 75-millimeter light field gun.
- Judge Jr (and unknown) created a “new” recipe in 1927 with the same core ingredients.
As you can see, there are a lot of variations on how this drink came to be.
Many believe the tale about the 75 mm gun used in World War I because the drink is said to be just as strong.
And it certainly makes sense.
But no matter how it came to be, let’s just be glad it’s around and enjoy these French 75 variations!
1. French 76
The French 76 is an easy twist on the classic.
Just like the original, the 76 features simple syrup, lemon juice, and Champagne.
But instead of gin, which many people find too botanical, you’ll use vodka.
It’s a subtle change, but it works!
Ingredients: vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne or Prosecco
2. French 77
One ingredient that often goes hand in hand with gin is elderflower liqueur. It’s sweet with delicious floral notes.
So for this French 77, you’ll use it in place of simple syrup.
This recipe also allows some room to swap the Champagne. So if you’re on a budget, feel free to use sparkling wine instead.
Ingredients: elderflower liqueur, gin, lemon juice, sparkling wine
3. Blueberry Basil French 75
The blueberry basil French 75 is packed with flavor. It’s sweet, herbaceous, and balanced perfectly.
Also, it’s completely gorgeous! Just look at that purple-pink hue.
Use Empress 1908 if you want even more color. It’s a beautiful butterfly pea gin from Canada I know you’ll adore.
Ingredients: blueberries, basil leaves, gin, lemon juice, Prosecco, simple syrup
4. Honey Ginger French 75
Ready for a sweet and spicy take on this delicious classic? The honey and ginger French 75 is the way to go!
This recipe includes homemade honey and ginger simple syrup. The combination of floral, sweet honey, and spicy, pungent ginger is fantastic.
Make a big batch because you’ll want it in everything!
Ingredients: gin, lemon juice, ginger-honey simple syrup, Champagne
5. Rose Syrup French 75
I love the gorgeous colors of this cocktail, and it’s all down to that stunning Empress gin I mentioned before.
Empress starts out a deep indigo blue. And when you mix it with lemon juice, it transforms into a beautiful bright pink.
Add rose syrup for a scrumptious botanical flavor.
Ingredients: Empress 1908 gin lemon juice, rose syrup, sparkling wine, lemon twist (for garnish)
6. Blood Orange French 75
Blood orange is an irresistible citrus flavor you have to try in a French 75.
I can’t get over that deep color. And the intense flavor of the blood orange is gorgeous and delicious.
Try this bubbly pink drink during any celebration, and you’ll be more than satisfied.
Ingredients: gin, blood orange juice, lemon juice, agave nectar, Champagne or sparkling wine
7. Unicorn French 75
I’m not sure if unicorns actually exist, but I’m glad this cocktail does!
Instead of gin, you’ll use butterfly pea-infused Unicorn Vodka. Like Empress gin, it changes color when citrus is added.
It starts out bright blue and changes to a pretty purple. And you’ll love the light floral flavor too.
Ingredients: Unicorn vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, dry sparkling wine or brut Champagne
8. Pomegranate French 75
This pomegranate French 75 will be a hit at your next holiday party.
The color and flavors are fruity, festive, and fantastic. Pomegranate juice is sweet with a tart finish, and that deep red hue is ideal for Christmas.
This is the perfect bubbly Champagne drink to celebrate with friends and family.
Ingredients: pomegranate juice, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, Champagne, pomegranate arils & rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
9. Cherry French 75
As you might’ve guessed, the cherry French 75 is a cherry-infused twist on the typically sour drink.
You’ll make a quick and easy simple syrup with real cherries, so the flavor is front and center.
From there, add the usual suspects and garnish with a fresh cherry.
Ingredients: cherry simple syrup, gin, lemon juice, Prosecco
10. Cranberry Rosemary French 75
Tart cranberry juice gives this cocktail its festive color and lots of flavor.
Plus, it’s an easy-to-find ingredient that’s ideal for the holidays.
As for the rosemary-infused vodka, you can make it yourself in just a few days. And it makes lovely gifts too!
Of course, you can always use gin if you prefer.
Ingredients: rosemary vodka, cranberry juice, lemon juice, Champagne, fresh rosemary & cranberries (for garnish)
10 French 75 Variations & Recipes
As much as I love original cocktail recipes, I can’t get over how insanely good these French 75 variations are! I promise you’ll love these bubbly drinks.
Ingredients
French 76
French 77
Blueberry Basil French 75
Honey Ginger French 75
Rose Syrup French 75
Blood Orange French 75
Unicorn French 75
Pomegranate French 75
Cherry French 75
Cranberry Rosemary French 75
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a delicious French 75 recipe in 30 minutes or less!
