FRENCH FRENCH 75 — Go French Yourself

I have been in a love affair with a cocktail for a super long time. Call me crazy but it's true!! Champagne cocktails are the greatest and The French 75 is my go-to. Named after a French gun used in World War I--a not-so-subtle nod to the drink's lethalness-this champagne cocktail made famous at Harry's New York Bar in Paris in the early 1900's. Some historical records site cognac as the original base spirit but somewhere in translation, Gin became a common base though many bars including French 75 bar in New orleans still used cognac as the base! I have tried both and I really have no preference. They are both divine and this cocktail seriously screams Samantha!

INGREDIENTS:

(serves one)

2 ounces cognac or gin

1/2 ounce lemon juice

1/4 ounce simple syrup (1:1, sugar:water)

3 ounces sparkling wine (preferably dry champagne)

Garnish: (and the garnish is tre important) long, curly peel of lemon. (The Chalkboard always forgets my lemon garnish and it makes me sad) Use a channel knife to create the perfect, loopy peel of lemon.

DIRECTIONS:

Add first three ingredients to a cocktail shaker.

Add ice and shake until chilled.

Strain into a coupe or a flute and top with sparkling wine.

Garnish with a long curling peel of lemon.

I wanted to serve this cocktail at one of my Sip and Shop events but knew I could not make these individually for a large group of people. I discovered an amazing recipe from Imbibe Magazine for a French 75 punch. It was a huge huge hit and really stretched really far! I highly recommend this.

Recipe: (serves 8)

16 oz. (2 cups) gin (preferably a London dry)

8 oz. (1 cup) fresh lemon juice

6 oz. (3/4 cup) simple syrup (1:1)

1/2 tsp. orange bitters

32 oz. (4 cups) dry Champagne

1 large ice block

1 orange for a garnishment (create orange wheels)

Ina punchbowl, combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and bitters and stir until blended. Just before serving, pour in the Champagne and stir gently. Add the ice and garnish. To serve, ladle into glasses.

You are now ready to kick off the party!!! It will be a major hit with all of your guests!

P.S. Happy Happy Bastille Day!!!

Do you love these with gin or cognac?

XO

Sam