Discover the original French 75 cocktail recipe created in Paris, its history, and the best classic ingredients. Includes variations and how to order it in a bar in France.
Where was the French 75 Created?
Created in 1915, the French 75 was born at the New York Bar in Paris's opera district in the 2nd arrondissement, just 4 years after opening. The same bar was renamed Harry's Bar in 1923 when Scotsman, Harry McElhone took it over and it became one of the world's most famous cocktail bars.
Today I love to pop in and try one - just to test if it's the same as I make at home (that's my excuse for you, anyway). Discover the extra ingredient they add below to give it that extra subtle kick.
Spot the 'sank roo doe noo' around the bar - it's the phonetic pronunciation of the Parisian address on 5 rue Dannou.
Do the French Actually Drink it?
It's surprising how the French 75 is so popular outside of France. Yet look around the cocktail menus in most bars around Paris and elsewhere in France and, chances are, you'll not even see it listed!
Instead, our main classic cocktail is a Kir or Kir Royal. It's also made with Champagne or quality sparkling wine but with simply a little crème de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur). Although this is the absolute classic, it's so good with the other varieties: peach (pêche), raspberry (framboise) or blackberry (mûre). But I digress.
Back to the cocktail menus around France. By and large, if you ask for one, many bars know how to make a French 75 - but don't be surprised if they don't! It happens to me quite often. I know because this is my personal favourite cocktail when I'm feeling the need for a real alcoholic kick. Believe me, it packs a punch so ensure you eat something and don't consume on an empty stomach!
"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald (quotation framed along with the French 75 anecdotes at Harry's New York Bar in Paris)
Fun Fact about the French 75
When I first moved to Paris (back in 1992!), I thought the French 75 cocktail was named after the Paris postcode. French number plates (plaques d'immatriculation) end with the département code - 75 means Paris. So naturally I assumed it was a Parisian drink. It's logical, right?
Wrong. See what it's really named after, including the surprising image I took at the Imperial War Museum in London!
Sidenote: if you're driving in France, '13' means Marseille - brace yourself - it's where they drive even faster than in Paris! If it's 33, it's worth giving them a wave, since they're from the wine region of Bordeaux.
What is the French 75 Named After?
Instead it took its name from the 75mm gun, famously used by the French in the First World War. The Imperial War Museum in London has a great permanent exhibition and explains it so well, including details on the 75 field gun exhibited. It was given to the museum by France as a symbol of their army's heroism. Luckily we were allowed to take photos to show you what it looks like.
The French 75 quick-firing field gun was known for its speed and, at the time, was impressive in that it was deadly at first impact. It could fire up to 20 shrapnel shells each minute with devastating accuracy and caused enormous casualties.
By 1914 all the major armies had similar weapons but nothing like the reputation of the 75mm. For military ceremonies, it's sometimes brought out to impress us still today.
Notre 75 - Our 75. When it speaks, all are quiet.
The French people on their 75mm field gun
Le roi Canon - Gloire à notre 75 (King of guns - glory to our 75)
(source: Imperial War Museum, London)
So if you heard that a French 75 was being loaded, that was it. It became so well known that this cocktail was named after it in Paris.
What's in a Classic French 75? Ingredients
The classic French 75 cocktail is totally loaded like its field gun of the same name yet its one of the most sophisticated drinks to order due to its explosive personality. In some places, it either impresses the bartender on ordering it - while in some French bars, they don't even know it!
Its classic ingredients consist of Champagne, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup - so it pops in the mouth and startles the tastebuds.
However, at the cocktails's birthplace at Harry's Bar in Paris, they also add one extra ingredient. They first add just 2-3 drops of Absinthe in a chilled glass. It may sound so little but it gives an intriguing underlying herbal note. Although optional, as not that easy to find, I totally recommend trying this original version too.
What Drink is Similar?
The French 75 is similar to the popular Tom Collins cocktail. Instead, carbonated or soda water in a Tom Collins is replaced by the classic Champagne or sparkling fizz (crémant, Prosecco or Cava).
Is it Easy to Make?
A classic French 75 is easy to make at home but don't cut corners, as it does need a simple syrup. Either buy one ready prepared or make your own, just as easy. See recipe below.
What's a Simple Syrup and Why Add it?
A simple syrup is also called sugar syrup, which is just equal amounts of sugar and water. They are stirred and heated together for about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves until a clear syrup is created then left to cool. Voilà - that's it.
So why add a simple syrup to this cocktail? You know me by now. I'm always cutting down on sugar so this is no exception in a cocktail. When I first made this at home, I didn't think the sugar syrup was necessary. I was so wrong. Try this without the syrup and taste the difference.
Without it, the drink is far too bitter. The syrup rounds it all off, helping us to taste the flavours of the gin and lemon together rather then just get hit by the alcohol.
Only a little syrup is needed to turn a bitter, lifeless drink into a French 75 cocktail with its punch. Although the original cocktail uses a simple syrup, the recipe in the Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) calls for a spoonful of powdered sugar.
What's the Difference between a French Martini and a 75?
The French Martini cocktail was invented in New York, not France. The only thing French about the drink is that it uses Chambord raspberry liqueur along with vodka, pineapple juice and ice. Plus it's served in a Martini glass without any Martini in it.
So the difference between the two is huge: neither of them have anything in common, except from the word, 'French'.
"Hits with remarkable precision."
The French "75" Cocktail, The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930 republished edition, 2023)
With Gin or Cognac?
The original cocktail was made with gin, Calvados, grenadine and Absinthe. This version appeared in many recipes around the 1920s and 1930s, including The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930).
Thereafter, the Calvados was dropped, grenadine with lemon juice and appeared with a variation using Cognac or Brandy instead of gin. I've seen it named as a French 125 and a French 45 online but not in French bars. However, the classic 75 remains with gin (not Cognac) as at Harry's Bar in Paris today and around France.
How do you Order a French 75 at a Bar in France?
To test this out for you, I've done some homework around Paris. As I'm French, I normally order it in French but I have heard a few tourists being corrected when they simply ask for a 75 in English (that's so Parisian, I know, but start with Bonjour and you get off to a better start - we're not in the 1942 film, Casablanca).
So in France, ask for a French Soixante-Quinze (pronounced 'swaz-onte-kanz), s'il vous plaît. Yes, this isn't a spelling mistake: say 'French' (the English word - we never say Français 75) with a French accent, rolling the 'r' followed by soixante-quinze.
Do you Tip at Bars in Paris?
Service charge is already included in bars and cafés in France, so tipping isn't necessary. Waiters are given a living wage so don't worry about them missing out by not giving tips.
However, if you particularly appreciate the service and want to give a discretionary tip, then it's not rude and is also welcomed. It's up to you.
How to Garnish a French 75
At Harry's Bar in Paris, the authentic French 75 cocktail is served straight up without ice and no garnish - not even a lemon twist! However, in the UK, the Savoy Cocktail Book mentions ice (oh-là-là) and the Ritz Bar in London garnishes it with a maraschino cherry.
As there's already a strong hint of lemon from the juice, I personally prefer it without the ice and served on its own, so not to interfere with the sophisticated flavours. If you prefer a garnish, add a lemon twist just with the peel.
If you really want to add an original touch, add a strawberry, a basil top, a hibiscus flower, pomegranate seeds, a slice of dragon fruit or a pink peppercorn.
French 75's Variations
Try these variations for inspiration - that don't stray too much off the French 75's classic ingredients:
- Different kinds of gin - citrus based are usually best but with it's also great with a ginger infused gin. 've also tried it with a French one using immortelle flowers from l'île d'Oléron and another Breton gin with salty seaweed notes - both fabulous.
- Replace brut champagne with a more budget-friendly fizz: such as good quality brut/dry sparkling wine (pétillant). For example: French Crémant de Bourgogne, from Alsace, Saumur or Vouvray (Loire), Spanish Cava, or Italian Prosecco.
- Replace lemon juice with lime juice, or freshly squeezed orange juice with a hint of orange blossom water.
- Use a dry rosé or pink fizz to add a spot of festive colour for special occasions like New Year's Eve.
- Add a little green Chartreuse or Benedictine in place of the original Absinthe to capture the herbal flavours.
What Food Goes with it?
In France we'd drink a French 75 as an apéritif before dinner - either on its own or with a few nuts or olives. If you're looking to pair with food, then this cocktail does match well with most dishes that go with lemon.
Basically, dishes that feature a lemon wedge is a good rule of thumb. Such as:
- Smoked salmon with apple and horseradish sauce.
- Tropical Shrimp Cocktail with dragon fruit. Add some citrus caviar for a special occasion.
- Parmesan herb-crusted salmon or any simple fish dish like John Dory with a beurre blanc sauce.
- Some people love it with escargots - with the parsley, garlic and all. Why not?
- Blanquette de Veau - a bit original with a cocktail but why not? Lemon is in this popular French stew, also good with chicken or turkey.
- Creamy lemon pasta sauce - even better during asparagus season.
- Roast chicken with a lemon sauce.
- Stuffed mini pumpkins with chicken or leftover turkey.
French 75 Cocktail
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.
- Strain from the cocktail shaker into the glass and top with the Champagne.
Notes
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.
As the French say, to be consumed 'avec modération'.
John H.
Fabulous! Made this classic over the weekend with a citrus gin and it’s now my favourite cocktail. I had no idea of its history so thanks for sharing how it all started in Paris. Fascinating!
Jill Colonna
I'm so happy you like this - my girls and I love it with citrus gin too. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment John.
Lucie
Made this one at uni and it was a great hit!
Jill Colonna
I'm sure it hit quite hard, really :-))
Glad you're enjoying university life!
Lucia C.
Thank you for the research and detailed information about this cocktail! I love that you didn't just copy and reshare it. Makes a difference to me knowing that you care about the actual history and where it originated. Keep up the good work.
Jill Colonna
Thank you so much and glad you appreciate the cocktail's story as much as I do. I suppose it's easy when surrounded with all of this in the drink's original bar!