French 76 2 Recipe
Picture this: it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon or a celebratory Friday night, and I’m about to share with you my secret weapon for sipping in style—a bubbly concoction that effortlessly combines elegance and a hint of rebellion. Ladies and gents, let’s take a tantalizing sip of this sparkling French 75! 🍸✨
The French 76 combines gin and a refreshing splash of lemon juice, balanced with simple syrup. Instead of using soda water, which would be standard for a lowball highball cocktail, French 76 is topped with bubbly Champagne, making it an elegant upgrade from your typical gin and lemonade.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
French 76 2 Recipe Ingredients
- Gin: Brings a botanical, herbaceous depth; minimal carbohydrates.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a bright, tart acidity; rich in vitamin C.
- Simple Syrup: Balances with sweetness; contains sugar (carbohydrates).
- Champagne: Effervescent, dry finish; low in calories and carbs.
- Lemon Twist: Provides aromatic oils and zest; enhances citrus notes.
French 76 2 Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz champagne (or sparkling wine)
- Lemon twist, for garnish
How to Make this French 76 2 Recipe
1. Refrigerate or chill the champagne flute in a manner of your choosing, which may include one or more of the following steps:
1. Place the champagne flute in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
2. If preferring a more rapid approach, fill the flute with ice water and set it aside for a minute or two before pouring.
2. Add 1 oz of gin to the cocktail shaker.
3. Add in 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
4. Pour 1/2 oz of simple syrup into the shaker.
5. Pack the shaker with ice and fasten the top.
6. Vigorously shake the mixture for approximately 10-15 seconds until it becomes very cold.
7. If the champagne flute was used to chill with ice water, then remove the ice from the glass.
8. Pour the mixed drink carefully into a waiting champagne flute.
9. Gently finish the cocktail with 3 ounces of champagne or sparkling wine.
10. Add a lemon twist as garnish. Peel a strip of lemon zest from a lemon, twist it over your cocktail to release the essential oils, and drop it into the glass.
French 76 2 Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Champagne flute
2. Refrigerator or freezer (optional for chilling the flute)
3. Cocktail shaker
4. Measuring jigger (for measuring ounces)
5. Ice
6. Knife or peeler (for lemon twist)
7. Lemon zester or peeler (optional, for garnish)
8. Strainer (if the cocktail shaker does not have one)
FAQ
- What is a French 76?A French 76 is a reinvigorating cocktail. It is a drink built on the foundation of gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and the effervescence of champagne or some other sparkling wine.
- Can I use a different spirit instead of gin?Although traditional French 76 recipes call for gin, there are variations of the cocktail that use vodka. If you want a classic French 76 with the appropriate signature flavor profile, you really should stick with gin.
- Is there a specific type of champagne recommended?Recommended to balance the sweetness from the simple syrup, brut or dry sparkling wine is nice to use.
- Can I make simple syrup at home?Certainly! To prepare simple syrup, dissolve equal quantities of sugar and water in low heat until the solution is clear. Let it cool before you use it for cocktails or other beverages.
- How should I garnish a French 76?Add a lemon twist to the drink to make it visually pop and to add a citrus smell every time you take a sip. This drink is a showstopper and a must-try.
- Can this drink be made in advance?To keep the champagne bubbly, it’s best to prepare the drink right before serving, but you can do some of the work in advance. Mix together the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and hold them until you’re ready to serve. Then, add that mixture to a glass and top with champagne.
- Is there any way to make this cocktail lower in sugar?For reducing the sugar amount, you should cut back on or leave out the simple syrup. Also, make sure you are using a dry champagne.
French 76 2 Recipe Substitutions and Variations
1 ounce vodka instead of gin
½ oz fresh lime juice instead of fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz honey syrup instead of simple syrup
3 oz prosecco in place of champagne
Use an orange twist for garnish in place of a lemon twist.
Pro Tips
1. Use Quality Ingredients: Opt for a high-quality gin and a fresh bottle of champagne or sparkling wine to elevate the flavor of your cocktail. Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a significant difference compared to bottled juice.
2. Chill Everything: Ensure that not only is your flute chilled, but also the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice if possible. This keeps the drink crisp and refreshing from the start.
3. Pay Attention to Temperature: When shaking the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, ensure the mixture is very cold before straining it into the flute. The cold temperature helps maintain the carbonation of the champagne when mixed.
4. Gentle Pouring: When adding the champagne to the cocktail, pour it gently against the side of the flute to preserve as much of the bubbles as possible. This enhances the drinking experience with a perfect effervescence.
5. Experiment with Garnish: Besides the traditional lemon twist, consider adding a touch of herbs, like a sprig of thyme or a rosemary stick, for an aromatic dimension and a visually appealing garnish.
French 76 2 Recipe
My favorite French 76 2 Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Champagne flute
2. Refrigerator or freezer (optional for chilling the flute)
3. Cocktail shaker
4. Measuring jigger (for measuring ounces)
5. Ice
6. Knife or peeler (for lemon twist)
7. Lemon zester or peeler (optional, for garnish)
8. Strainer (if the cocktail shaker does not have one)
Ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz champagne (or sparkling wine)
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Refrigerate or chill the champagne flute in a manner of your choosing, which may include one or more of the following steps:
1. Place the champagne flute in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving.
2. If preferring a more rapid approach, fill the flute with ice water and set it aside for a minute or two before pouring.
2. Add 1 oz of gin to the cocktail shaker.
3. Add in 1/2 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
4. Pour 1/2 oz of simple syrup into the shaker.
5. Pack the shaker with ice and fasten the top.
6. Vigorously shake the mixture for approximately 10-15 seconds until it becomes very cold.
7. If the champagne flute was used to chill with ice water, then remove the ice from the glass.
8. Pour the mixed drink carefully into a waiting champagne flute.
9. Gently finish the cocktail with 3 ounces of champagne or sparkling wine.
10. Add a lemon twist as garnish. Peel a strip of lemon zest from a lemon, twist it over your cocktail to release the essential oils, and drop it into the glass.