Another New Year is upon us which means another New Years Eve toast with family, loved ones and friends. I have mentioned in the past that I am not a Champagne or Prosecco drinker thus I am always looking for and alternative which I can enjoy. One great compromise that I actually find very elegant and tasty is a French 75. The drink was named after the French 75-millimeter field guns because the drink packs a punch and is a gin drink with lemon juice and simple syrup topped with Champagne or prosecco. For some of you (you will date yourself), you may remember this is basically a Tom Collins topped with Champagne rather than soda water. Served in a Champagne flute this drink is truly a winner for a compromise cocktail to ring in the new year.
As an added bonus be sure to make some French 75 grapes to accompany your cocktail. Your guests will find these little juice bombs refreshing, fun and very tasty. A nice accompaniment to bring in the new year. Also, if you have someone who just can’t drink Gin just substitute vodka and present them with a French 76.
Give both the French 75 and French 75 Grapes a try and you will not be disappointed. My toast to you this New Year’s Eve: “May your Heart be light, your drinks be strong, and your loved ones near.” Cheers and Happy New Year everyone.
Ingredients:
- Champagne or Prosecco
- Bombay Sapphire Gin (or your favorite Gin)
- Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed and strained)
- Simple Syrup
- Lemon – (garnish)
- Lemon Zest – Optional for grapes
- Silver and/or gold edible glitter sugar – optional for grapes
- Grapes (red or green) – optional
Tools:
- Oxo two-sided shot glass/jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- Champagne Flute
- Stainless steel cocktail picks (optional)
- Small container with lid (optional)
- Strainer
- Funnel
- Plastic Squeeze bottle for simple syrup
Directions:
- Simple Syrup
- Depending on how much you need you just combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil in while stirring. For example, for small dinner parties I usually mix 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar.
- Remove from heat to cool.
- Once cool use funnel to transfer the simple syrup to a squeeze bottle and place in fridge until its needed.
- French 75
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice and then add ingredients for one cocktail.
- Bombay Sapphire Gin – 1.5 oz
- Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed and strained) – ¾ oz
- Simple Syrup ¾ oz
- Shake cocktail until very cold (10-15 seconds)
- Strain drink using cocktail shaker (liquid only – no ice cubes) into champagne flute
- Top with Champagne (about 3 oz)
- Garnish with lemon twist
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice and then add ingredients for one cocktail.
- French 75 Grapes
- I try to have 3 grapes per person minimum
- Using a cocktail pick poke holes into the grapes in several spots
- Place into a container and add 5 oz of Gin, the juice from one lemon (zest lemon first for sugar coating), and top with champagne until grapes are covered. Tip – small single serve champagne usually works so you’re not opening a full-sized bottle.
- Put lid on and let soak in fridge for 8 – 24 hours (longer is better)
- Mix lemon zest and sugar glitter together to roll grapes in.
- Coat with sugar glitter and lemon zest mixture and place three on each cocktail pick.
- Keep refrigerated and then place in freezer for 30 minutes prior to serving.
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The items shown above are just suggestions/examples and each consumer should do their own research and choose the proper product that suits their needs the best.
