“Hits with remarkable precision.” -
Harry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), Dover Publications.
(But legend has it that this was a common descriptor long before this printing!)
I originally learned about this cocktail from a Ph.D. in History friend who is an expert on everything World War I, and has the published books to prove it.
This drink was oddly named after a piece of field artillery called the French 75, used extensively by the French in World War I. In France, of course, you just call it the Soixante Quinze (75), and not the French 75!
As the legend goes, the drink was named this way because it hits with remarkable precision or it knocks you flat plus other artillery-ish boozy descriptors.
Although the story of this cocktail supposedly traces back to 1915, the volume first credited with the current incarnation of the printed recipe (and the oldest one I’ve personally seen) is 1927’s Here’s How cocktail guide. It seems, however, that the breakthrough for this adult beverage was the publishing of the colorfully and whimsically illustrated, incredibly popular The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.
Here’s a typical recipe, although some use a bit more gin and simple syrup.
Hint: It’s kind of a Tom Collins made with champagne instead of club soda.
The French 75
1 ounce London dry gin
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1 to 3 ounces champagne
lemon twistPrepare the drink in a shaker (minus the champagne), shake with ice, then strain into an cold glass. Top with the champagne, and garnish with the lemon twist.
By the way, I have family members who replace the lemon juice with lime juice or key lime juice, and they love it!
Enjoy, and see the namesake field gun below!
Field Gun Photo Credit:
French 75 Field Gun Model 1897
(Canon de campagne de 75 mm modèle 1897)
Photo Link
Bourges arsenal, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Author: PHGCOM
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