French 75
There is a lot of controversy about some of the origins of this cocktail, as to whether it was a brandy drink with champagne or calvados, if it was created by Raoul Lufberry the flying ace, or if it was a gin drink meant to celebrate the alliance between France and England in defeating the Germans: the gin for England and the champagne representing France.
What is certain is that it was named for the French 75 field gun, or 75mm Howitzer artillery piece that packs a hell of a kick. It definitely was first drunk during and immediately after the Great War and brought back to the US, most notably the Stork Club, by returning US officers. It is first recorded in Harry Craddock`s Savoy Cocktail book, 1930, where it is listed as a Gin drink, and served with ice in a tall glass.
Ingredients
30 ml Gin or 30 ml VSOP or 30ml XO Cognac
20ml lemon juice
10ml sugar syrup
Sparkling wine or Champagne; and
A whole lemon.
Glass used for serving: Champagne Flute or Snifter
Method
1. Combine in a cocktail shaker gin or cognac, lemon juice and sugar syrup.
2. Cut lemon twist for garnish
3. Add ice to shaker, shake and double strain into glass, top with sparkling or Champagne and garnish.