French 75

The French 75 is one of history's most elegant champagne cocktails and a perfect blend of refinement and power. Created during World War I (named after the French 75mm field gun for its kick), the drink combines gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne to create a sparkling, citrusy celebration in a glass. The Tom Collins-like base is topped with champagne and served in a flute, creating a sophisticated cocktail perfect for celebrations. The French 75 represents wartime glamour, champagne sophistication, and the art of sparkling cocktails. The drink embodies 1920s elegance, Jazz Age drinking, and the marriage of cocktail culture with champagne luxury. Variations use cognac instead of gin (the original French version), but the gin version became the American standard. The French 75's combination of botanical gin, bright citrus, and champagne bubbles creates refreshing sophistication that's both celebratory and crushable. The cocktail demands quality ingredients: London Dry gin, fresh lemon juice, proper sugar balance, and good champagne or sparkling wine (though it needn't be vintage Champagne). The drink represents celebration culture, special occasions, and the elevation of simple ingredients through champagne. Whether served at a Parisian café or a wedding reception, the French 75 delivers sparkling elegance and historical cool.