French 75 Cocktail
Classic recipe from the original Harry's New York bar where the French 75 was created in Paris. Normally served with no ice or garnish, this cocktail is like the 75mm field gun and 'hits with remarkable precision'.
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2-3 drops Absinthe optional (in the classic original version from Harry's Bar in Paris)
- 30 ml (1 fl oz/ 1 measure) Gin
- 15 ml (½ fl oz/ ½ measure) lemon juice
- 15 ml (½ fl oz/ ½ measure) simple sugar syrup see notes
- 60 ml (2 fl oz) Champagne, chilled or sparkling dry white wine (Prosecco, Crémant brut)
Instructions
- If using, put 2-3 drops of Absinthe into a chilled Champagne flute or coupe.
- Shake together vigorously the gin, syrup and lemon juice in the cocktail shaker.
- Pour into the glass and top with the Champagne.
Notes
Serve with a twist of lemon peel and no ice.
Formula for Simple Syrup (sugar syrup): Stir together equal quantities 50g (¼ cup) of sugar and water in a saucepan then simmer (not boil) over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. This should take only 5 minutes. Set aside to cool then chill until needed.
Champagne: this classic has different measures for the Champagne. The International Bartenders Association uses 60ml (2 fl oz), while the French version (François Gaudry's book, On va déguster la France) uses 40ml.
For a more budget friendly version, replace Champagne with good quality brut/dry sparkling wine such as French Crémant from Bourgogne, Alsace, Saumur or Vouvray (Loire) or Prosecco.
For a more budget friendly version, replace Champagne with good quality brut/dry sparkling wine such as French Crémant from Bourgogne, Alsace, Saumur or Vouvray (Loire) or Prosecco.