Hello friends! I am really excited to share this post with y’all. When I lived in San Diego, my husband and I loved going out to hip speakeasy bars for fun weekend dates. This is when I discovered how expensive cocktails are (I didn’t really go to bars before I was married, believe it or not!) Just one cocktail could cost up to $15 not including tax or tip! That’s when I had an idea: what if I learned how to make fancy craft cocktails at home?
Now with everything going on, not only is it cheaper to make your own cocktails, it’s safer, and, depending on which state you live in, you’re only option!
I will be posting more of my favorite cocktail recipes in the weeks to come as a sort of series! Today I will start with one of my favorite swanky cocktails: the French 75. I will also be sharing equipment pieces that will help you make some of these craft cocktails and will help you build an impressive at-home bar! Trust me when I say, this will up your hosting game or at-home date night!
*This post includes Amazon Affiliate links. If you do choose to buy any of these items, please consider using my specific links, as they allow me to earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep up my blog! Thank you for your support!
I couldn’t find the exact bar cart that I have, but here are some very similar ones on Amazon. Having a bar cart might not be essential, but it is definitely a fun way to decorate your home and will upgrade your bartending skills.
Bar Cart Option 1
Bar Cart Option 2
Bar Cart Option 3
The next few items are essential to make a French 75:
Cocktail Shaker
Fancy Champagne Flutes
Less Fancy But Still Nice Champagne Flutes
Citrus Peeler
History: This cocktail is named after a French gun, Canon de 75 modèle, also known as soixante-quinze (French for 75). This gun was capable of firing 15 rounds per minute (extremely powerful in the early 20th century) and was used by the French against the Germans in World War I. This drink was named after this gun because they could “both knock you flat,” referring to the drink’s lethal potency and the gun’s overall lethalness. This drink has been called “the most powerful drink in the world” and is told that it “hits with remarkable precision.”
Drink if you like: This is a cocktail that tastes light but is pretty heavy in alcohol content (so drink carefully)! It is crisp and citrusy and perfect for celebrations or to impress your friends on a girls night! It is a great summer cocktail and pairs well with some chololate or as a stand alone drink after dinner.
Recipe (enough for 2 drinks):
-3 oz Gin
-1.5 oz Simple Syrup* (1 cup sugar, 1 cup water)
-1.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice + two 2 inch lemon peels
-3-6 oz Sparkling Wine (Prosecco, Champagne, Cava, etc.)
Instructions:
1. *Make your own simple syrup, it is significantly better than store bought! To do this, slowly heat 1 cup of water on your stove. Add 1 cup of sugar and stir until full dissolved. Store in a mason or glass jar and refrigerate. Make sure it’s cold before making your cocktail!
2. Rub the rim of the champagne flute with the lemon peel and place the peel inside the flute.
3. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice until it’s about half full. Then add the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker. Cap and shake for roughly 30 seconds.
4. Pour the mixture into two champagne flutes until each glass is half full (aren’t I so optimistic).
5. Fill the flutes until almost full with sparkling wine (this will be about 2-3 oz per glass).
6. Drink and enjoy!
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