What does a French 75 taste like?
A French 75 tastes like a lemony, sparkling gin cocktail: crisp and dry, bright with fresh lemon, a touch sweet, and full of fine Champagne bubbles.
French 75
gin, lemon and bubbles
A French 75 is gin, lemon juice and a little sugar, shaken and topped with Champagne or another dry sparkling wine. It's named after a French artillery gun, which tells you it hits harder than it looks. It tastes like an elegant, bubbly lemonade: tart and bright first, then the gin adds pine and herbs, and the sparkling wine brings toasty, dry fizz. It's light on its feet but stronger than a mimosa. Some bars make it with cognac instead of gin, which tastes rounder and warmer.
Where you’ll see it
On brunch menus, classic cocktail lists and celebration menus, in a flute or coupe with a lemon twist. Cheaper versions use prosecco or cava instead of Champagne.
Order it if you want something bubbly and celebratory that is drier than a mimosa.
Quick questions
- Is a French 75 strong?
- Stronger than it seems. It is a gin sour topped with sparkling wine, so it carries more alcohol than a glass of bubbly.
- What's the difference between a French 75 and a mimosa?
- A mimosa is sparkling wine and orange juice, soft and fruity. A French 75 adds gin and lemon, so it is drier, tarter and stronger.