French 75 - Gin, Lemon & Champagne IBA Cocktail

Bright, dry, and sharply refreshing, the French 75 cocktail combines botanical gin, fresh lemon, simple syrup, and Champagne in a flute. Shaking the citrus base gives it a clean, chilled structure before the sparkling wine brings lift and texture. It has enough acidity to stay crisp and enough sweetness to keep the lemon in check.

From the 75 mm Gun to a Cocktail Classic

The drink takes its name from France's 75 mm field gun, a World War I-era weapon associated with speed and force. Earlier "75" drinks used different formulas, but the gin, lemon, sugar, and Champagne combination recognizable today was documented by 1927 and later appeared in The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. The IBA now lists the French 75 among its Contemporary Classics.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Gin: Provides the botanical backbone and structure.
• Lemon juice: Supplies the fresh acidity that keeps the drink sharp.
• Simple syrup: Softens the lemon and ties the base together.
• Champagne: Adds dryness, carbonation, and the drink's sparkling finish.

Substitution tip: Dry Cava or another traditional-method sparkling wine can replace Champagne for a practical variation. Vodka can replace gin for a softer, less botanical drink, though either change moves the recipe away from the official IBA specification.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Cocktail strainer
• Champagne flute

Acid, Bubbles, and Botanical Structure

The French 75 works because each component has a clear job. Gin gives the drink aromatic depth, lemon supplies a firm acidic edge, and simple syrup rounds that edge without making the drink heavy. Champagne then lengthens the mixture while adding dryness and carbonation, producing a sparkling cocktail that still tastes structured rather than diluted.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use dry Cava: A traditional-method Cava keeps the finish crisp while offering a less expensive sparkling-wine option.
• Try Prosecco: Expect a fruitier and often slightly sweeter variation.
• Swap in Cognac: Cognac creates a richer, rounder variation with brandy character instead of gin botanicals.
• Add lemon aroma: For a non-IBA variation, express a lemon peel over the finished drink and discard it.

Helpful Tips

• Chill the Champagne and flute before starting so the drink stays cold without extra dilution.
• Shake only the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Never shake Champagne.
• Pour the Champagne gently to preserve carbonation.
• Stir only enough to combine the sparkling wine with the shaken base.
• Serve immediately while the carbonation is at its strongest.
• For several servings, pre-combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup and keep the mixture cold. Shake individual portions, strain, and top each glass with Champagne just before serving.