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A French 75 is an elegant and refreshing drink that can make you feel as glamorous as a character in Casablanca. Though it is generally made with gin and champagne, I also like versions made with cognac or rose champagne. The basic French 75 recipe is as follows:

1.5 ounces of gin (Bombay Sapphire is recommended)
2 teaspoons of superfine sugar or 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar

1.5 ounces of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
4 ounces of chilled champagne
1 orange slice
1 maraschino cherry

Fill a shaker half full with ice cubes, and then add the gin, sugar, and lemon juice. Shake vigorously until the sugar is dissolved. Pour into a chilled Collins glass and top the glass with champagne. Stir gently until combined and then garnish with the orange slice and the cherry.

If you would like to make a French 75 with less lemon and a bit more flair, try this variation:

1 ounce of gin
1 ounce of Cointreau or Grand Marnier
1/2 ounce of fresh-squeezed lime juice
1/2 dash of orange bitters
1 sugar cube
3-4 ounces of champagne

Pour gin, orange liquor, lime juice, and bitters into a cocktail shaker that is half-full of ice. Shake well until blended. Place the sugar cube in the bottom of a chilled champagne flute, and strain the contents of the shaker into the glass. Carefully top he flute with the champagne. a curl of orange peel makes a nice garnish for this drink.

Rose champagne can put a pink twist on this already special drink.

1 ounce of gin
1/2 ounce of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon of simple syrup
5 ounces of chilled rose champagne

Combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake gently to combine and then pour into a chilled champagne flute or coup. Top the glass with the rose champagne. Edible flowers, currants, or a slice of strawberry dramatically garnish this Rose varriation.

Lastly, if you prefer cognac to gin, I have the perfect French 75 recipe for you!

1 ounce of cognac (Courvoisier or Remy-Martin make especially good French 75s)
1/2 ounce of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon of super-fine bar sugar
3 ounces of champagne

Combine cognac, lemon juice, and sugar with crushed ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake gently to combine and then strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with the champagne and garnish with a lemon twist or maraschino cherry if desired.

A French 75 is the perfect drink to serve at parties or special celebrations because it can be made with either gin or cognac and it includes the sparkle of champagne. It is a drink that has something for everyone, and its presentation always impresses. The above recipes are easily increased, and they can all be made quickly in bulk in a punch bowl for an extra-special party punch that will require no additional spiking. Cheers!

Learn more about this author, Erin K. Wiedemer.
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