22+ French 75 Variations to Try (Easy Champagne Cocktails)

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Get to know the French 75, a classic cocktail and the many French 75 variations you can make by switching up the ingredients. These champagne cocktails are traditionally made with gin, lemon juice and champagne, but can be mixed up into other delicious drink combinations.

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Your guide to the French 75 and all its variations

Bright and bubbly, the French 75 is a classic cocktail that is perfect year-round, for celebrating anything — for refreshment in the summer, New Year’s Eve toasts or happy hour any day of the week.

The French 75 drink is a perfectly delicious cocktail made with dry champagne, dry gin, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup for a touch of sweetness. It can be made the classic way or you can try one of the many French 75 variations with different spirits, juices and flavored syrups.

champagne pouring into a french 77 cocktail

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Best sparkling wine for a French 75

With “French” in the name of the French 75, it would make sense to use French champagne in this bubbly cocktail.

However, sparkling wine can only be called “champagne” if it comes from the Champagne region of France. If it comes from anywhere else — even another region in France — it gets another moniker altogether.

But because it’s so exclusive, brut champagne tends to be pricy, so more affordable sparkling wines like Italian prosecco or Spanish cava can work too. There are also delicious sparkling wines made in the United States.

When you’re shopping for sparkling wine, pick up the best bottle you can afford. A bottle in the $10-30 range would suffice for this bubbly cocktail.

Look for “brut” or “dry” on the label — a dry sparkling wine works best with the added sugar in the simple syrup of this cocktail.

Don’t miss Champagne 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.

Champagne 101

French 75 Variations

As you dive into this list below, I think you’ll find the French 75 is a versatile and spirited cocktail that’s worth drinking the classic way as well as creative riffs.

Spirit Variations

These fresh spins on the French 75 are made by swapping out the gin for another spirit. When you change up the base spirit in the French 75 to make a similar recipe, the name changes too — à la the Bloody Mary. Try one of these great cocktail combinations next time you mix up a French 75.

A coupe glass filled with a pale yellow cocktail, garnished with a curled lemon peel on the rim. Bar tools, lemon, and ingredients hint at creative French 75 variations in the background.

French 75: Classic Gin Version

This is the original French 75 recipe, featuring sugar syrup, gin, lemon juice and champage. The first three ingredients are given a good shake with ice in a cocktail shaker, then poured into a champagne glass and topped with bubbly. It is one of the easiest cocktails you can make and it looks absolutely sensational.

The classic recipe is often garnished with a lemon twist, which is a piece of lemon peel that has been curled into a spiral shape. It is served in either a champagne flute or a coupe glass. It can also be served over ice in a Collins glass.

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French 76: Vodka Variation

Gin is is traditional, but has a botanical flavor that some don't like. Vodka makes the drink more crisp, highlighting the tart flavors of lemon and dry bubbly. You can always try a flavored vodka if you like.

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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. (via feastandwest.com)

French 77: Elderflower French 75

The Elderflower French 75 is a floral take on the classic champagne cocktail with lemon, gin and St-Germain elderflower liqueur. This elderflower version will be your new favorite drink for toasting and celebrating.

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A Seelbach Bourbon Champagne Cocktail fills a champagne flute with a golden-brown drink, garnished with a lemon twist and set on a patterned napkin.

French 95: Bourbon Variation

Use bourbon whiskey instead of gin to make the French 95. Also called a Seelbach cocktail, it's a delicious and deeply flavorful variation.

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French 125: Cognac Version

Featuring French cognac, this sophisticated version offers a warm, cozy autumnal twist on the gin 75. This one is perfect for fall and winter entertaining.

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Two glasses of lemon drink with lemon peel garnish sit on a gray surface beside a basket of whole lemons, a striped cloth, and lemon slices.

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French .45: Brandy Variation

When made with brandy, it’s called a French .45. This one is an elegant cocktail that is light and bubbly. It's just as French, but cheaper to make than the cognac version, which tends to be spendier.

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Sparkling swaps

Change up the French 75 by swapping in different kinds of bubbles for a fresh twist. Whether you go for something blushing and romantic, light and refreshing, or with a hint of spice, it’s an easy way to give this classic cocktail — or mocktail — a whole new personality while keeping its signature elegance.

Rock candy on a stick sits inside a pink cocktail in a gold star stemless champagne flute. Another flute and a bottle of pink liquor sit behind while a pink and gold plate of rock candy is in the corner of the image.

Pink French 75

Mix things up with pink-hued sparkling rosé wine instead of the usual champagne. It's the perfect upgrade for girls' night, baby showers, weddings — or just because it's Wednesday (IYKYK).

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An orange and cherry garnish on a bubbly clear cocktail.

Tom Collins

The French 75 is considered to be a spin on the classic Tom Collins cocktail, calling for French champagne instead of the usual club soda. It's light and refreshing, and the perfect alternative if you run out of bubbly.

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French Mule

A hybrid of the French 75 and the Moscow mule, this zippy cocktail packs a bright citrus punch from fresh lime juice with a crisp, bubbly finish from ginger beer. Use French gin or brandy as your base.

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Virgin French 75

This mocktail is inspired by the French 75. With layers of extra citrus flavor and ginger ale, it's got the same zing and effervescence you'd expect from the alcoholic version.

You can also make a non-alcoholic version with a zero-proof gin such as Ritual gin alternative and a non-alcoholic bubbly such as ginger beer or sparkling lemonade.

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Creative twists

These creative riffs on the French 75 swap the gin for a less expected ingredient, like ginger liqueur or purple gin, for a whole new flavor profile. By pairing the classic citrus-and-bubbles formula with a unique spirit, you get a familiar but surprising drink that shakes up tradition. Try one of these inventive combinations for your next French 75-inspired cocktail.

Champagne is poured from its bottle into a gold rimmed glass. Gold sequins and lime spirals are around the base of the glass along with a cork and gold cocktail jigger.

Champagne Mule: Ginger French 75

Bright and effervescent, this Champagne Mule combines fresh lime juice, spicy-sweet ginger liqueur and crisp champagne for a refreshing twist. Like a French 75, it balances citrus and bubbles, but trades the gin for bold ginger flavor and lemon for li me. It’s an elegant yet lively sip, perfect for celebrations.

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Black French 75

Use black vodka or gin to create a spooky, Halloween-inspired version of the French 75 that we call the Black Magic Cocktail. All you need is a little food coloring to make this eerily elegant drink.

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Champagne Jello Shots

These Champagne Jello Shots turn the elegance of a French 75 into a playful party treat. Made with sparkling lemonade, crisp champagne, fresh lemon juice and a splash of lemon vodka (or gin, if you prefer), they’re bright, bubbly and full of citrusy charm. It’s a classy cocktail in jiggly, celebratory form.

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A tall, clear champagne flute with a light yellow sparkling drink and a lemon twist garnish, placed on a wooden surface.

Villon 75

Starting with a Villon Cognac Liqueur base combined with lemon juice and champagne, this is a flavorful swap to try. Villon boasts flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, spice and orange blossom for a tasty sip and rich cocktail with French 77 vibes (that's elderflower, if you've been paying attention).

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A purple cocktail garnished with grapes in a coupe glass sits on a white plate, with a bottle of Empress 1908 gin and a decanter in the background.

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Purple French 75

This French 75 cocktail is made with purple Empress 1908 Gin, champagne and lemon juice, plus a garnish of tiny champagne grapes. It's a refreshing, slightly sweet cocktail that's perfect for any occasion from casual brunch to your New Year's Eve party.

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Flavored French 75s

Take the French 75 to 100 by adding more flavor. Experiment with different citrus fruits, from grapefruit to blood orange, for a colorful twist. Mix in a splash of seasonal juice like blueberry or apple for a fresh, fruity note, or stir in a flavored simple syrup to layer in sweetness and depth. These small changes can completely transform the drink while keeping its classic sparkle and charm.

Rosemary sprigs stick out of a gold-rimmed glass with a bubbly cocktail inside.

Rosemary French 75

Homemade rosemary simple syrup makes this herbal version of the French 75 have an even more pronounced botanical and herbaceous flavor. The amount of simple syrup can always be adjusted to one's preferred sweetness level.

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Meyer Lemon French 75

If you are looking for a recipe for an elegant champagne cocktail to serve at parties or to welcome in the New Year, you should become acquainted with this delicious Meyer lemon version. These lemons have a sweeter, less tart juice than regular lemons, making this a lighter, more sippable cocktail.

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Strawberry French 75

Made with sparkling wine, gin and fresh strawberry puree, this strawberry version of the classic cocktail is refreshing and colorful.

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A hand garnishes a red cocktail in a champagne flute with a rosemary sprig; another filled glass, a copper shaker, lemon, and pomegranate seeds are on the tray.

vikalinka.com

Pomegranate French 75

A delicious and festive-looking cocktail, this Pomegranate French 75 will wow your guests during the holiday season.

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A glass of red cocktail garnished with a lemon twist and blueberries on a skewer, with lemon slices and blueberries in the background.

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Blueberry French 75

The ultimate summer cocktail, this Blueberry French 75 brings a simple, colorful twist to the classic champagne cocktail. It’s bright, bubbly and begging to be sipped!

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A hand places a slice of blood orange on the rim of a glass filled with an orange-colored drink.

vikalinka.com

Blood Orange French 75

Made with the juice of rutilant blood oranges, this light and colorful version of the French 75 is as beautiful as it is delicious. It's perfect for brunch in the winter, when these citrus are in season.

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A champagne glass filled with a yellow-orange drink, garnished with an apple slice, sits on a table with pinecones; another glass and apples are blurred in the background.

Apple French 75

A classic with a twist, this Apple French 75 skips the apple cider, instead getting its fall flavor from apple-cinnamon infused gin and brown sugar syrup.

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FAQ

What does a French 75 taste like?

The French 75 is a bright and bubbly cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and champagne. Refreshing and light, it has a slightly herbal flavor with hints of tartness and sweetness.

Is a French 75 made with gin or cognac?

Traditionally the French 75 is made with gin. When made with cognac instead of gin, the cocktail is called a French 125.

How much alcohol is in a French 75?

Because it contains liquor as well as sparkling wine, the French 75 is more potent than a glass of champagne. Depending on how much liquor is added, it ranges from 15%-19% alcohol (30-38% ABV).

Why is it called a French 75?

According to cocktail historian David Wondrich, the history of the French 75 goes back to 1927 — at the height of prohibition — when the recipe was printed in a book called Here’s How! put out by a New York humor magazine. After that, it was printed in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book and rose in popularity. This classic gin cocktail is considered to be the only classic drink born during Prohibition.

The name is said to come from the French 75mm field gun used in World War I. According to Difford’s Guide. A bartender named Henry Tépé of Henry’s Bar in Paris may have named the cocktail “Soixante Quinze” (meaning seventy-five in French) after the weapon even earlier, around 1914/15. Some say the gun and the cocktail “both knock you flat.”

French 75 & Variations

Yield: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

The classic French 75 cocktail — a champagne drink made with gin or vodka, lemon and simple syrup — is a sophisticated, beautiful and versatile cocktail. Substitute the alcohol to make one of its many variations: the French 76, 77, 95, 125 and .45.

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ingredients

Classic French 75

2 ounces London Dry gin see notes for variations
½ ounce simple syrup plain or flavored
½ ounce lemon juice fresh-squeezed
3 ounces champagne brut, chilled
lemon twist for garnish

instructions

In a cocktail shaker ^* filled with ice, combine gin, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake vigorously.
Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne.
Garnish with a lemon wheel or twist. Serve immediately.

notes

Try one of the many variations on this cocktail by substituting the classic gin for other spirits:

French 76: vodka
French 77: gin and elderflower liqueur
French 95: whiskey
French 125: cognac
French .45: brandy
Mexican 75: tequila

Simple syrup swaps: You can also substitute a flavored simple syrup to dress up your French 75. Try an herbal syrup like lavender or rosemary, or a fruity one like strawberry or passion fruit.

Always let the bottle of champagne chill well before you plan to use it. Cold champagne will make the flavors of your French 75 much better and will keep the drink crisp and cold! The carbonation of the champagne will also be bubblier when it is cold.

Serve each cocktail immediately after pouring. This is best practice to keep the champagne bubbly and the cocktail cold.

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amount per serving:

Serving: 6ounces Calories: 217kcal Carbohydrates: 13g Protein: 0.2g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.01g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 15mg Potassium: 109mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 12g Vitamin A: 4IU Vitamin C: 13mg Calcium: 18mg Iron: 1mg

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