French 75

Bubbly champagne cocktails like this Mexican 75 and this classic mimosa are perfect for parties, but you can also enjoy them year-round! It’s a straightforward cocktail and the only swap we make in our version is we use honey instead of sugar or simple syrup. We find the flavor of honey pairs really well with the fresh lemon juice and herbal gin. It’s one of those cocktails you’ll revisit again and again. From special celebrations to brunch with friends, it’s a celebratory drink that elevates any occasion! Some early recipe books actually call for cognac in place of gin, and although both make an exquisite cocktail, gin has become more widely used. Today a French 75 is a popular drink on brunch menus and at cocktail bars. It’s boozier than a mimosa but equally refreshing, and elegant enough for holiday parties and special celebrations.

Honey – there are literally hundreds of types of honey in the world with their own unique flavors, but any kind will work. We like to use raw, unprocessed honey that’s free of additives. Hot tap water – for dissolving the sugar. Gin – nothing too fancy; a mixing quality gin is all you need. Lemon juice – only the bright taste of fresh lemon juice will do for this cocktail. Sparkling wine – our first choices are cava or prosecco because they’re dry sparkling wines, and it’s easy to find affordable options.

Mix up to four drinks at once. Scale up the ingredients to make four drinks, and use a 4-cup mason jar to stir together the honey water, gin, and lemon juice. Divide between four champagne flutes, and top with champagne. Make a pitcher in advance. Scale up the ingredients (using cups instead of ounces), and add the honey water, gin, and lemon juice to a pitcher. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve and then pour it into each glass before topping it with champagne. If the pitcher has been in your fridge long enough to make the gin cold, you can skip the step of adding ice.

You don’t need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy one, though. If you love champagne cocktails like a mimosa, it’s a boozier alternative that’s equally refreshing. The French 75 is our go-to when only a bubbly drink will do!