I enjoy a well-made cocktail, especially for holidays and special gatherings. This Lavender French 75 is a delightful twist on the classic French 75. I like to use a botanical gin such as Empress 1908 for its flavor and color, but any herb-forward gin (Hendrick’s, for example) works well. The cocktail is bright with fresh lemon, subtly floral lavender simple syrup, gin, and a lively splash of sparkling wine. Garnish with a sprig of fresh lavender and raise a glass!
What is a French 75 cocktail?
The French 75 is a timeless cocktail that blends gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, finished with Champagne or sparkling wine. Its exact origin is unclear, though one popular story ties the name to a powerful World War I field gun. Regardless of its name, the drink is loved for its crisp, refreshing balance and is perfect for brunches and festive evenings like Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
This lavender variation swaps plain simple syrup for lavender simple syrup and uses a dry sparkling wine. The floral notes of the lavender complement an herbal gin beautifully, creating a sophisticated and aromatic cocktail.
Ingredients for Lavender French 75
- 1 ounce botanical gin (Empress 1908 or Hendrick’s)
- 3/4–1 ounce lavender simple syrup (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 ounces dry sparkling wine or Champagne
- Fresh lavender sprigs (for garnish)
How to serve a French 75
Serve this cocktail in a champagne flute or a coupe. Flutes show off the bubbles, while coupes offer a classic, elegant presentation. I used flutes in my photos. A lemon twist or a fresh lavender sprig makes a simple, attractive garnish.
Variations of the French 75 cocktail
There are many ways to adapt the French 75. Using vodka creates a French 76. Fruit or floral syrups, berry-infused gin, or flavored gins (grapefruit, peach, etc.) add seasonal twists. Mezcal gives a smoky dimension, while peach or berry variations are excellent for summer brunches. Experiment with dry versus slightly sweeter sparklers to find the balance you prefer.
Tips for crafting this cocktail
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- Choose a dry sparkling wine or Champagne rather than a sweeter Prosecco-style sparkler so the cocktail remains balanced.
- If using store-bought lavender syrup, start with 1/2 ounce and adjust to taste. For homemade syrup, 3/4 to 1 ounce per cocktail works well.
- Garnish with fresh lavender if available; if not, a thick lemon peel makes a lovely alternative.
How to make a Lavender French 75
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add 1 ounce gin, 3/4 ounce lavender simple syrup, and 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice. Shake until chilled and combined, then strain into a chilled champagne flute. Top with about 3 ounces of dry sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist or a sprig of fresh lavender. Enjoy responsibly.
For more cocktail and beverage recipes, explore similar recipes and variations to find your favorite twists.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating to help other readers — your feedback is appreciated!
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
Lavender French 75 Cocktail
Ana Coronado
May 9, 2024
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Small saucepan for homemade simple syrup (optional)
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Champagne flutes or coupe glasses 6–8 oz
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Cocktail shaker with strainer
Ingredients
Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried lavender flowers
Lavender French 75 Cocktail
- 1 ounce gin (Empress 1908 or Hendrick’s)
- 3/4–1 ounce lavender syrup homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 3 ounces dry sparkling wine or Champagne
- Ice
- Fresh lavender for garnish
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
Lavender simple syrup (optional)
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Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons dried lavender in a small saucepan.
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Bring to a gentle simmer and stir until the sugar dissolves, about 1–2 minutes.
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Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
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Strain through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the lavender. Store the syrup refrigerated.
Lavender French 75 Cocktail
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Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
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Add 1 oz gin, 3/4 oz lavender syrup, and 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice.
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Shake until chilled, then strain into a champagne flute.
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Top with 3 oz dry sparkling wine and garnish with lemon peel or a sprig of lavender.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
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