A taste of history – French 75
Canon de 75mm – French 75 canon (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Soixante-quinze
Bonjour, mes amis! Today, we’re talking about the history of the beloved French 75 cocktail. The French 75 is a delightfully smooth blend of liquor and wine. But first, let’s get one thing straight – this concoction is not named after a firearm. It actually gets its name from a World War I-era French 75mm field gun. So if you’re looking for a place to put your guns down and raise your glasses up, you’ve come to the right place.
The story goes that the French 75 cocktail was first created in Harry’s New York Bar in Paris during World War I. American soldiers would come in and order martinis, but the bartenders at Harry’s wanted to mix things up a bit. They substituted gin for the vodka and added some lemon juice and sugar. They then topped it off with champagne to give it a little extra oomph – because, let’s face it, everything is better with bubbles.
The Basic Recipe
Today, the most popular recipe for the French 75 is a little more refined. Here’s what you’ll need:
– 2 oz gin
– 1 oz fresh lemon juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup (or to taste)
– Champagne (about 4-6 oz)
Shake the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice until well mixed. Strain it into a coupe or champagne flute and top it off with champagne. For a little extra flair, garnish it with a lemon twist. Et voila!
Diversity in liquors and update the name
Remember when I said at the beginning that the French 75 is delightfully smooth? Perhaps I should have used the term “deceptively smooth” to warn you not to drink it too fast and don’t forget that it has a real kick. If you are willing to experiment with your liquor and juice options why not have some fun with it? Try out some of these variations:
– The French 76: Swap out gin for vodka.
– The French 85: Add a splash of orange juice.
– The French 95: Substitute bourbon for gin.
– The French 99: Use tequila instead of gin and add a splash of lime juice. – The French 125: Go with a V.S.O.P Cognac (super yummy and sweet). You can also change up the Champagne with Cava or Prosecco for a taste twist.
So there you have it – the origins of the French 75 cocktail, plus some fun twists to give it a little extra pizzazz. Now go forth and enjoy, my friends. Santé!
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