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21+ French-Inspired Cocktails, From Champagne to Cognac


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Say bonjour to these French-inspired cocktails! From bubbly to spirited, these recipes bring the taste of France to your table, no passport required. Whether it’s Bastille Day or a regular Tuesday, these drinks highlight the best French spirits have to offer. A votre santé!

A Sazerac, a classic cocktail made with bourbon, served alongside a bottle of bourbon.

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Your ultimate guide to French cocktails

Ah, France. I’m a self-admitted francophile and even came close to minoring in French in college! I mean, what’s not to love about a country that’s rich in culture, food, drinks, fashion… the list goes on.

When a trip isn’t on the table (which is a major bummer), you can still capture a taste of France. The country has had such an impact on the cocktails we enjoy here thanks to their recipes, spirits and techniques.

These drinks celebrate French culture and would be perfect for almost any celebration. Whether it’s Bastille Day (July 14), watching the Tour de France, or even a French-themed brunch or shower, you’ll want to keep these drinks around.

France’s influence on cocktails

France tends to be a trendsetter and its cocktails are no different. Techniques from France as well as its ingredients made their way across the ocean along with their new standard of “luxury cocktails.”

Champagne has held a starring role in France since the 1600’s. This bubbly wine began as an accident but quickly became a symbol of status and worked its way into favorite recipes as the years went on. The French 75, named after a 75-millimeter field gun favored during the First World War, was likely the first but not the last cocktail starring champagne. As an ingredient, champagne brings crisp acidity, brightness and effervescence that’s hard to replicate with any other spirit.

French influence is strong in New Orleans, thanks to French settlers in the French Quarter. They left their mark with drinks like the Vieux Carré and Sazerac that are found throughout the city on cocktail menus even today.

For special occasions, French-inspired cocktails stun. They’re elegant, flavorful and can be mastered by even beginner bartenders. Consider both your guest list and theme before you craft your menu for the most successful. When Paris hosted the 2024 Olympics, it was another excuse to sip like the French do.

French spirits and wines 

Not only did France create champagne, they’ve gifted us with so many key spirits in the cocktails you know and love! Here are some of the notable favorites:

  • Champagne and sparkling wine
  • Cognac and brandy
  • French aperitifs & digestifs (like Lillet and Suze)
  • French liqueurs (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Chartreuse, Chambord, St-Germain, crème de cassis, pastis)
  • French wines

In terms of non-alcoholic options, the French soda is a creamy, yet refreshing, sip. French press * coffee is a perfect way to kick off the day but can also act as a mid-day pick-me-up. If you like something sweeter, Orangina (French orange soda) is so tasty!

The best French cocktails

If a trip to France isn’t in the cards, sip one of these cocktails instead:

French Classics

France has been shaping the world's drink cabinet for centuries, from cognac and Champagne to vermouth and elderflower liqueur, so it only makes sense that some of the most enduring cocktails carry a French passport. This lineup covers the essentials. These simple, elegant recipes have earned their place at brunch tables and French-inspired dinner parties alike. Oui, oui, these are the classics worth having on hand.

1
A martini with a peach garnish.
Sidecar
Bright, citrusy and perfectly balanced, this cognac cocktail mixes orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice for a smooth, refreshing flavor. Its timeless profile has made it a favorite for generations. Serve it in a sugar-rimmed glass for a touch of classic elegance.
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2
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.
Classic French 75
Gin, lemon juice and simple syrup get topped with Champagne for a cocktail that's crisp from the first sip to the last. The bubbles keep it light while the gin gives it backbone, a combination that's been winning over brunch tables and happy hours for a over a century. (Its name stems from World War I.) It works just as well for a toast as it does for a Tuesday.
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3
Two glasses with raspberries in them on a marble table.
Classic Kir Royale
Champagne and crème de cassis need almost no effort to become something elegant. The blackcurrant liqueur turns the glass a deep, jewel-toned pink, yielding a drink that looks far more complicated than it is. Ready in minutes, it still manages to feel like an occasion.
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4
a classic mimosa with orange juice with a pitcher of orange juice and a wire bowl of oranges
Mimosa
Fresh orange juice and champagne come together for the easiest brunch cocktail in the book. Light and fruity, it proves simple ingredients can still feel special when the ratio's right. Pour it for holidays, showers or a lazy Sunday morning, and feel free to mix it up with other fresh juices.
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New Orleans Cocktails

Long before it became known for jazz and beignets, New Orleans was a French colony, and that heritage still runs through its cocktail culture today. These recipes lean into that French Quarter history with a host of rich, spirit-forward drinks built on the classic technique. Consider this menu a little taste of France by way of Louisiana.

5
A glass with an amber cocktail, large ice cube, and a skewer with a dark cherry, against a white background.
Vieux Carré
Named for the French Quarter itself, this cocktail layers rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth and herbal liqueur into something rich and slow-sipping. Every ingredient earns its place here. It's a drink built for whiskey lovers who like to take their time.
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6
A frothy, creamy drink in a textured glass sits on a marble coaster, with another similar glass blurred in the background.
Brandy Milk Punch
Brandy, milk, vanilla and nutmeg blend into a creamy, lightly spiced sipper that's a genuine New Orleans brunch tradition. It tastes far more indulgent than the ingredient list suggests. Good any time of year, it's especially welcome around the holidays.
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7
A Sazerac, a classic cocktail made with bourbon, served alongside a bottle of bourbon.
Sazerac
Bold whiskey, a whisper of absinthe and a dash of bitters are stirred up into one of New Orleans' most iconic pours. The recipe looks simple on paper, but the balance is everything. It's always a go-to for anyone who prefers a spirit-forward cocktail.
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Sparkling French Cocktails

Champagne is French by definition, and France's fingerprints are all over the world of sparkling wine, so this section leans fully into the bubbles. Each of these cocktails is light, easy to drink and dressed up just enough for a celebration. Pour with confidence and a French cheers — à votre santé!

8
Two champagne flutes filled with a light yellow elderflower French 75, each garnished with lemon twists, sit on a white surface dotted with scattered confetti.
Elderflower French 75
Floral elderflower liqueur like St-Germain softens the traditional French 75 into something a little sweeter without losing its sparkle. Gin and fresh lemon still keep it bright underneath. It's an elegant twist on an already-elegant original.
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9
Rosemary sprigs stick out of a gold-rimmed glass with a bubbly cocktail inside.
Rosemary Champagne Cocktail
Fresh rosemary gives this champagne cocktail a fragrant, herbal aroma that plays beautifully against the citrus and bubbles. Every sip feels a little more festive than the last. It's a natural choice for holiday dinners or a dressed-up night in.
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10
A glass with a red floral design filled with a red beverage sits on a white surface, surrounded by a jigger, bottle, and another glass in the background.
Monaco Cocktail
Who said sparkling had to be from champagne? This beer cocktail features a light lager, lemonade and a splash of grenadine, a refreshing drink with just enough sweetness to keep things interesting. Use Stella Artois to give it a crisp, balanced finish that holds up in the heat. Serve it ice cold on a warm afternoon and it disappears fast.
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11
You don't have to hunt for the prettiest cocktail for Easter brunch, because I already found it. The Raspberry Mint Kir Royale is a sweet sparkler with all the fresh flavors of warmer weather. Enjoy it all spring and summer! (via feastandwest.com)
Raspberry Royale
Juicy raspberries and a splash of Chambord black raspberry liqueur turn this sparkling cocktail a vivid shade of pink without weighing down the bubbles. Light and fruity, it photographs as well as it drinks.
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12
Two glasses of iced tea with lemon slices and mint leaves, accompanied by a bowl of lemons and a spoon, on a white surface.
Lillet Spritz
Lillet Blanc, sparkling water and bubbly wine mingle perfectly in this crisp, citrusy aperitif built for warm afternoons. A citrus garnish adds one more burst of brightness. It's easy to make and even easier to drink. Pinkies up!
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Cocktails with French Spirits & Liqueurs

France's contribution to the bar cart goes well beyond wine, cognac, Chartreuse, Lillet Blanc and elderflower liqueur all bring their own personality to a glass. These recipes highlight cocktails built around those French ingredients, each one showing off a different side of the country's spirit-making legacy.

13
Two glasses of blonde cocktail with a slice of grapefruit.
French Blonde Cocktail
Grapefruit juice, gin, Lillet Blanc and elderflower liqueur come together for a fresh, floral cocktail that's lighter than it sounds. The bittersweet citrus keeps everything balanced. This one's as sophisticated as a Parisian walking down the Champs-Élysées.
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14
Two martini glasses with lime slices and a martini shaker.
French Gimlet
This variation on the classic gimlet borrows French ingredients for a lighter, more aromatic pour. Lime juice keeps things crisp, elderflower liqueur brings sweetness and the herbal notes of gin add a little complexity underneath. This stunner is built for sipping slowly on a warm evening.
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15
closeup of crushed ice in a french mule with a lime garnish
French Mule
Cognac, ginger beer and lime juice get a French twist for a spin on the traditional Moscow Mule. The ginger still brings the heat, just with a little more polish. Serve it over plenty of ice in a copper mug for the most refreshment.
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16
Two Brandy Alexanders on a silver tray with nuts.
Brandy Alexander
Brandy, crème de cacao and cream blend into a rich, dessert-like cocktail finished with a dusting of fresh nutmeg. It drinks more like a treat than a nightcap. Smooth and indulgent, it's an after-dinner classic for a reason.
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17
A glass of pink Frosé.
Frosé
Frozen rosé wine, strawberries and a touch of lemon turn blend up into a slushy, refreshing cocktail built for hot afternoons. The texture is what makes it, ice cold and just sweet enough. Backyard parties and poolside gatherings both call for a blenderful.
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18
Two cocktail glasses with raspberries on a tray.
French Martini
Vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord raspberry liqueur shake up into a fruity martini with an elegant, foamy top. It's sweeter than a classic martini but no less polished. Date nights and dinner parties both suit it well.
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19
A glass of White Negroni with a slice of orange.
White Negroni
A lighter spin on the classic Negroni, this version swaps in Lillet Blanc and gentian liqueur like Suze for a bittersweet, herbal profile with plenty of citrus. It's an excellent aperitif for anyone who already loves a complex, bitter pour. C'est magnifique, even for Negroni purists.
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Holiday French Drinks

France knows how to do the holiday season, from mulled wine at outdoor Christmas markets to rich, velvety hot chocolate meant for sipping slowly after a day of skiing in the Alps. These drinks bring that cozy, cold-weather charm home, no trip to Paris required.

20
Mulled wine in a gold cup with cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
Vin Chaud
Red wine, warm spices and citrus simmer together into a fragrant mulled wine full of cinnamon, cloves and orange. It fills the whole kitchen with its delicious aroma before it ever hits a glass. Serve it whenever the weather turns cold enough to warrant something warm in hand.
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21
A glass mug of hot chocolate topped with mini marshmallows, placed on a wooden coaster with scattered marshmallows nearby.
Chocolat Chaud
Thick, rich and intensely chocolatey, French hot chocolate is a different experience from ordinary cocoa. High-quality dark chocolate — not powder — is what gives it a velvety, thick texture and a real depth of flavor. Add whipped cream and a buttery pastry on the side for the full café experience.
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About Susannah

Susannah Brinkley Henry is the founder of Feast + West, a cocktail blog featuring creative, budget-friendly drinks and hosting ideas. A graphic designer with bartending school training, she shares cocktails, mocktails, appetizers and desserts for easy, stylish entertaining. Her work has been featured by Southern Living, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and Mashable, and she was a finalist in the Saveur Blog Awards. Susannah is also a publisher on MSN and has appeared on local news segments sharing seasonal drinks. She lives in Charlotte, N.C., where she brings Southern charm and global inspiration to every pour. Read more.

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