French 75

As legend has it, the French 75 cocktail is named after a field gun used by French soldiers during World War I. How exactly that inspired the elegant combination of spirit, sparkling wine, and fresh lemon juice that appeared in Harry Craddock’s 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book is anyone’s guess.

Like many classic cocktails, the French 75’s ingredients can be customized to accommodate your taste, budget, the bottles you already have on your bar cart. Brut Champagne is traditional here, but you can also make a very tasty (and less expensive) French 75 with cava, prosecco, or any dry sparkling wine. The base spirit is similarly negotiable. You’ll see most modern variations made with dry gin, as is ours below, but cognac has its fair share of proponents and makes a toastier, richer version of the drink. Others may cut the gin with a bit of absinthe or add a few dashes of bitters to give their French 75 recipe an herbal twist.

This rendition comes from Eben Freeman, the esteemed New York City bartender and cocktail consultant. His take on the refreshing Champagne cocktail is bright and festive, just the thing for bubbly brunches or New Year’s Eve toasts. The drink tastes best when served very cold, so Freeman recommends chilling both your sparkling wine and glassware before you begin. At the height of summer (or if you don’t have Champagne glasses from which to serve your French 75) drink it from tall collins glasses with ice, as was the historical fashion.