Say cheers to the new year with an Elderflower French 75! It’s a floral take on the classic champagne cocktail with lemon, gin and St-Germain elderflower liqueur. This elderflower cocktail will be your new favorite drink for toasting and celebrating!
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About this Elderflower French 75 recipe
When it comes to celebratory cocktails, there is nothing like something extra bubbly. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, a wedding or a new year ahead, champagne always feels fancy.
But why stop at plain champagne? A champagne cocktail takes fancy to opulent, and this Elderflower French 75 is proof. Botanical, zesty and crisp, this is a drink you should most definitely toast anything with. If you are new to floral flavors, you should know it tastes like you are smelling flowers. It sounds weird, but it’s actually quite lovely!
Note from the author
2026 Update: I am so pleased that you guys love this recipe all year long, and not just for New Year’s Eve! It’s worthy of love any time of year. I’ve updated this post with new content, including some alternative methods and tips for making this cocktail the absolute best!
It’s based on the original French 75, a classic cocktail that’s made a comeback in recent years. Gin, champagne and lemon juice (and sometimes simple syrup) come together in a bubbly, fragrant drink. The French 75 is extremely sippable and a great introduction to gin for anyone who has previously sworn it off. (That used to be me, too!)
Elderflower liqueur takes it to a new level! But it’s just one of many French 75 variations, though you can also call the elderflower version a “French 77.”
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Works for any season. It’s light and crisp for spring and summer, but special enough to serve at the holidays.
- Celebration station. This champagne cocktail is bubbly and perfect for any kind of toast.
- Flavorful and fancy. If you’re looking to impress, this drink is luxury in a glass. Elderflower is such a unique and delicious flavor everyone will love.
Love this cocktail! It’s become my go-to for when I want to enjoy a French 75 style cocktail. Thanks for the recipe!
–Ashley
Ingredients
The French 75 calls for just a few ingredients: London dry gin, champagne and freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
But to make it a French 77, you’ll also need St-Germain elderflower liqueur. It has a delicate floral taste to it as elderflowers have a soft sweetness to them. The florals brighten the sometimes sharp flavors of botanical gin and crisp champagne.
If you don’t have elderflower liqueur on hand or wish to make this a mocktail, you can use ½ ounce of elderflower syrup. I make mine from scratch with fresh or dried elderflowers, but you can also pick up a bottle of pre-mixed elderflower syrup (also sometimes called elderflower cordial) instead of St-Germain.
Best gin for champagne cocktails
If you know anyone who has traditionally shied away from gin (raises hand), this Elderflower French 75 is the perfect cocktail to show them that gin really isn’t scary at all. Gin is flavored with juniper and other botanicals, so it pairs extremely well with other botanical liqueurs. The St-Germain brings out the floral notes of the gin.
I recommend using a gin with fewer juniper notes and more floral or herbaceous notes. I personally reach for Hendrick’s when I’m making a gin-elderflower cocktail, as its flavors of rose and cucumber pair quite well with St-Germain. (But if you still can’t get into gin? Feel free to use vodka instead!)
Don’t miss Gin 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.
Best champagne for cocktails
When I’m combining St-Germain and champagne (or honestly making any champagne cocktail), I like to reach for a drier AKA brut champagne. Dry champagne, which will say “brut” on the label, is a good pick to pair with the sweetness of the elderflower.
If you don’t love champagne (or the price tag it comes with), feel free to substitute your favorite sparkling wine, such as prosecco or cava, instead. I recommend choosing one in the $10-25 range for mixing drinks.
Don’t miss Champagne 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.
Instructions
Making this Elderflower French 75 is super simple! Grab a cocktail shaker * and add the fresh lemon juice, gin and elderflower liqueur. Shake with ice until super cold in your hands.
Pour into a champagne flute, then top with champagne. Slowly! Finally, you’ll want to finish it off with a lemon twist. You could also use a lemon slice, a sprig of mint or just serve it as is.
make it a mocktail
To make it non-alcoholic: You can use a zero-proof spirit such as Ritual gin alternative * in lieu of the gin; elderflower syrup instead of the St-Germain; and ginger ale or club soda for the bubbles.
Tips & tricks
- Choose a floral gin. I like Hendrick’s for its floral and botanical notes. I would stay away from flavors of pine and juniper that might not pair as well with the delicate floral taste of St-Germain.
- Choose a bottle of dry champagne. St-Germain is a sweet liqueur, so you don’t want to add more sweetness to this cocktail. Stick with a bottle that says “brut” on the label for the ultimate flavor magic.
- Use a pretty garnish. I used a lemon twist, but you can use a cocktail pick or lemon wedge if you like.
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Serving suggestions
This cocktail is so floral and fragrant, sparkly and smooth. It would be so good with a slice of lemon and elderflower cake or a batch of lemon bars.
Champagne also goes well with savory snacks. Serve individually-sized portions of charcuterie cups or a cheesy appetizer like spinach and artichoke dip.
If you happen to love the gin and St-Germain combo, check out my elderflower rose gimlet, this elderflower gin cocktail or this blackberry peach bramble for a more fruity gin cocktail.
And if you’d prefer something more dessert-like for your gathering, Irish Coffee is great after dinner, and these chocolate covered strawberry martini is like drinking a treat. Still can’t decide? Our list of New Year’s cocktails has something for you to serve at your EOY gathering!
FAQ
Yes and no! Champagne is best fresh and cold — that gives it the best bubbles. However, you can mix the liqueur, gin and lemon juice ahead of time and keep it chilled. Then all you need to do at time of serving is pop the bubbly!
Absolutely. Use the +/- buttons at the top of the recipe card below to scale the recipe as you need to. Then mix the liqueur, gin and lemon juice ahead of time and keep it chilled in a pitcher in the fridge. When the party starts, pour 2½ ounces into each glass, then top with champagne and garnish.
More champagne cocktails
If this Elderflower French 75 cocktail isn’t for you, I’ve got more ideas! For something else botanical and fruity, try these raspberry mint sparklers. This Seelbach cocktail is made with bourbon and champagne, which is a surprisingly good combination!
You also don’t want to miss these champagne jello shots, which are so fun for celebrating anything. Lastly, this Meyer lemon drop champagne punch is so fun for a party!
Leave a comment or tap the ★★★★★ below to leave a rating — it helps others and supports our work. We love hearing how it turned out!
Elderflower French 75 Cocktail
ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces London Dry gin
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur such as St-Germain
- ½ ounce lemon juice freshly-squeezed
- 3-4 ounces champagne prosecco or other sparkling wine, chilled
- 1 twist lemon peel for garnish
instructions
- Add gin, elderflower liqueur and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker * filled with ice. Shake vigorously.1 1/2 ounces London Dry gin, 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur, 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- Pour into champagne glass. Top with champagne.3-4 ounces champagne
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.1 twist lemon peel
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Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
I can’t decide what is more lovely, the cocktail itself, the glasses you used or that curly lemon peel. At any rate, the entire cocktail looks stunning and I hope you and I can enjoy one together when I see you in a few weeks!! <3
Meghan @ Cake 'n Knife says
#1, I love love love this cocktail! #2, how the HECK do you make such perfect lemon curls?! and #3, Happy New Year BFF!!! I can’t wait to see you in a few months!!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
2017 is the year we all get together and make these cocktails and hang out IN PERSON. Also? I’d love one of these rightthismoment. Well done, friend! Here’s to the new year!
Susannah says
Yes, 2017 is DEFINITELY that year. Happy new year, Erin!
Ashley @The Olive and The Sea says
Love this cocktail! It’s become my go-to for when I want to enjoy a French 75 style cocktail. Thanks for the recipe!
Susannah says
Yay! I am so glad to hear that, Ashley! It’s one of my faves for sure. Cheers!
Dallas L Green says
I love your recipe. I keep making them and sharing your link with friends. Where can you find those beautiful stemless flutes shown in all your pictures for Elderflower French 75
Thank you
Susannah says
Hey Dallas! The champagne flutes in these pictures don’t seem to be for sale any longer, but I found these ones (affiliate link) that are similar!