French 75

   

Over the weekend I entertained some friends with French 75’s, some slow cooked Italian and a tortuous game of scrabble.

The French 75 is named for the small but powerful artillery piece the French were so enamored with firing at the Germans. 

Recipies vary, but all contain Gin, lemon juice and sugar, topped with Champange. My personal favourite incorporates absinthe, just a few drops in the bottom of the flute, before the rest of proceedings are kicked off.

Mix 3 parts* Gin, I used Beefeater, to 1 part lemon** juice over ice with a small measure of sugar or gomme***, shake briskly over ice and fill flutes about a 1/3 full with this mixture. top with Champagne and garnish with a large twist of lemon peel.

Harry Craddock probably said it best, ‘Hits with remarkable precision.’ 

* say 120mls for four cocktails, ** say 30mls, or almost the juice of an entire lemon (depending on how large the lemon is, of course), you might want to add a touch more sugar if you’re using bone dry Aussie bubbles instead of the French stuff.