by Louanne Cox

Created on: July 11, 2007

New York's Stork Club was the epitome of glamour as it catered to the rich and famous from the fields of show business, sports, politics and the underworld. The Stork Club also made the cocktail "French 75" popular.

The French 75 was named after a piece of French World War I Artillery that helped to stabilize the gun which resulted in a higher rate of accuracy. It is hardly surprising then, that this drink would know how to pack a punch. With a combination of Champagne and gin I wouldn't recommend over indulging.

There are two options as to how to make a French 75 as below:

French 75 (One option)

4 parts gin
1 tbsp sugar syrup
2 parts fresh lemon juice
Champagne

Combine all the ingredients except the Champagne in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled highball glass. Fill with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

French 75 (second option)

2 parts gin
1 packet sugar
juice of half a lemon
Champagne

Pour the cognac and lemon juice into a glass and top with Champagne (although not right to the top), add sugar. After the sugar has stopped fizzing up, top the glass up with more Champagne.

No one is quite certain who first concocted the cocktail, but it was definitely a hit with American servicemen before being made popular by the New York glamour crowd. The Bar Hemmingway at the Ritz Paris actually serves a version which they name the Ritz 75. The Ritz 75 adds mandarin juice to the mix for an added tang.

Another version of the French 75, featured in the New York Bartender's Guide, uses cognac instead of gin

NY Bartender's Guide French 75

4 parts cognac
1 tbsp sugar syrup
2 parts fresh lemon juice
Champagne

Combine all the ingredients, except the champagne, in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and pour into a chilled highball glass. Top with cold Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

Enjoy the cocktail, but watch out for the gun exploding in your head the next morning. Painkillers are definitely recommended as you discover that the French 75 is not a close ally after all.

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