Similar to the smoothness and precision of the classic French 75mm field gun, a French 75 cocktail packs a punch! It’s a refreshing drink that combines the zing of gin with the brightness of citrus and the effervescence of champagne.
The best gins for a French 75 juniper and citrus forward to compliment the lemon juice and brightness of the champagne. Tanqueray is our favorite, while a Gordons is good on a budget. Alternativly, consider splashing out for a gin like The Botanist or Ransom Old Toms for something more decadent.
In this blog, we’ll explore the best gins for making this classic drink, so you’ll be able to create a delightful experience for your taste buds.
Table of Contents
What’s The Best Gin For Making A French 75?
Here’s a list of gins you can use to make the perfect French 75.
- Tanqueray
- Gordon’s
- Plymouth
- Beefeater
- The Botanist
- Ransom Old Tom
What Characteristics We Look For In A Gin
Juniper
Juniper is the cornerstone of gin. The flavor compounds found in these berries–pinene, limonene, sabinene–contribute to the piney and citrusy notes. Where French 75 is concerned, it adds depth to the cocktail by balancing the zest of lemon juice and the effervescence of the champagne to create a well-rounded drink.
Citrus
Citrus botanicals–lemon, lime, and orange–enhance the overall brightness of the gin. In a French 75, the citrus notes echo the lemon juice, creating a pleasant interplay of citrus flavors. The combination of citrus-forward gin and fresh lemon juice produces a crisp and invigorating cocktail that you can enjoy on warm summer evenings.
Price
We believe it’s essential to strike a balance between quality and affordability. Higher-priced gins often boast superior botanical sourcing and a more complex flavor profile. But, there are also excellent mid-range and budget-friendly gins that offer great value without compromising on taste.
ABV/Proof
A gin with a higher ABV can provide a bolder and more robust flavor, allowing it to shine through the other ingredients.
Our 6 Best Gins For Making A French 75 Cocktail
Best Overall Gin: Tanqueray
Tanqueray is known for its bold juniper flavor, which gives the gin a robust and traditional flavor profile that pairs well with other ingredients in a French 75 cocktail. The spirit adds depth, complexity, and a touch of earthiness to the cocktail. Its well-balanced combination of botanicals–citrus and coriander– contributes to the vibrant cocktail.
Best Cheap Gin: Gordon’s
Gordon’s stands out as an excellent choice if you’re on a budget. Despite its affordability, it maintains its quality and delivers the classic gin experience. With its bold juniper base and citrus notes, it’s ideal for mixing up a delicious drink without breaking the bank.
Best Top Shelf Gin: Plymouth Gin
Plymouth Gin elevates the French 75 with its carefully selected botanicals. With the inclusion of juniper, coriander, orange, cardamom, angelica, orris root, and lemon peel, this gin offers a complex and full-flavored experience. The juniper berries provide a pine aroma and a touch of bitterness, while the other botanicals contribute their unique notes with floral undertones.
Best Citrus-Forward Gin: Beefeater London Dry Gin
Beefeater is known for its remarkably clean flavor, boasting a bold juniper character balanced with strong notes of citrus. The botanicals used in this quintessential London Dry Gin are steeped for 24 hours before distillation, resulting in a harmonious flavor profile. The citrus-forward nature of Beefeater makes it an excellent choice if you enjoy the refreshing elements of the cocktail.
Best Botanical Gin: The Botanist
The Botanist offers a bouquet of herbal freshness with a delightful combination of juniper, sweet citrus, and a variety of other botanicals. This gin’s complex flavor profile includes notes of cassia, coriander, mint, thyme, sweet gale, gorse, and chamomile. The rich and mellow taste, along with the delicate floral and herbal notes, make for a perfect drink.
Best Barrel-Aged Gin: Ransom Old Tom Gin
This barrel-aged gin offers tantalizing aromatics of juniper berries, cardamom, and angelica. The aging process imparts a rich and silky texture, with flavors of malt, citrus zest, coriander, and a hint of teak. The complexity and depth of this gin add a unique dimension to the French 75, making it a perfect choice for a nuanced and elegant cocktail.
5 Tips To Make The Perfect French 75
- Use rich simple syrup
- Choose the right gin
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Brut Champagne is best!
- Garnish with a twist
1. Use rich simple syrup
Simple syrup is the main sweetener used in cocktails, but you can turn your cocktail up a notch by using rich simple syrup. It’s made with 2 parts sugar and 1 part water, and sweeter than simple syrup. We love rich syrup because it reduces the volume of water in the cocktail. Also, it’s thicker, so it balances out the acidity and bitterness of the drink, for a beautifully rounded flavor profile with a more lustrous mouthfeel.
2. Choose the right gin
Look for gins that have bold juniper notes and citrus undertones.
3. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the bright citrus flavor that complements gin. Squeeze the fruit’s juices just before mixing the cocktail to ensure the brightest flavors.
4. Brut Champagne is best!
Known for its dry and crisp profile, Brut champagne complements the spirit and other flavors in the cocktail, while providing effervescence and a touch of elegance.
5. Garnish with a Twist
Enhance the presentation and aroma of your cocktail by garnishing it with a lemon twist. Express the oils from the twist over the drink to release its citrusy essence for a more aromatic experience.
Final Thoughts
When selecting a gin for a French 75 cocktail, it’s best to consider the elements that will complement the champagne and lemons notes for a pleasant drinking experience. Juniper, citrus, and a balance of other botanicals will add depth, vibrancy, and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What do you serve a French 75 in?
A French 75 is often served in a champagne flute, but you can serve it in a Tom Collins tumbler.
Q. What alcohol is in a French 75?
A French 75 comprises champagne and gin. You can also use cognac in place of gin for an authentic cocktail.
Q. Is the French 75 often served as an aperitif?
A French 75 is often served as a refreshing drink at the end of the day but you can enjoy it as an aperitif because of the dry elements of champagne and gin.
