One of the most elegant and effervescent classic cocktails you can make is the French 75. This Champagne cocktail has a rich history, dating back to World War I, and has been a favorite ever since. With its combination of gin, lemon juice, sugar and champagne, it's the perfect drink to celebrate any occasion. Here's a detailed recipe on how to make a fizzy French 75.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml of gin
- 15 ml fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of sugar
- Champagne to cover
- Lemon slice to garnish
Step by Step:
1. Preparing the glass: The French 75 is traditionally served in a Champagne flute, but a tall glass can also be used. Before you start making the cocktail, place the glass in the freezer to cool.
2. Mixing ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice and sugar. The gin is the foundation of the cocktail, providing a complex flavor that balances the acidity of the lemon and the sweetness of the sugar. Fresh lemon juice is a must - bottled lemon juice doesn't taste the same fresh and can make the cocktail too acidic. The sugar adds sweetness to balance the acidity of the lemon and gin.
3. Shake: After adding the ingredients to the cocktail shaker, shake well for about 20 seconds. This not only blends the ingredients together, but also helps cool the mixture. You'll know it's ready when the shaker is cool to the touch.
4. Serve: Remove the glass from the freezer and strain the mixture from the cocktail shaker into the glass. You should have about half to three quarters of the glass filled with the gin and lemon mixture.
5. Add the champagne: Now it's time to add the final touch - the champagne. Slowly pour the Champagne over the gin and lemon mixture, filling the glass the rest of the way. Champagne not only adds effervescence and a touch of luxury to the cocktail, it also helps to dilute the gin and lime mixture, making the cocktail easier to drink.
6. Garnishing: For the finishing touch, add a slice of lemon to the glass. Not only does this make the cocktail look more appealing, it also adds a little more lemon flavor.
And there you have it - a fizzy French 75! This cocktail is perfect for parties, celebrations or just a relaxing evening. It's a delicious combination of flavors that is sure to impress anyone.
While the French 75 might seem like a complicated cocktail to make, it's actually quite simple once you break it down into steps. And the best part is that you can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add a little more sugar. If you like a more acidic taste, add more lemon juice. And if you want a stronger cocktail, add more gin. No matter how you make it, the French 75 is a cocktail that is sure to delight.
