Tuesday, December 29, 2009

In the arsenal: French 75



I thought we would revisit one of my favorite cocktails for your New Year's celebration, the French 75.

"There are numerous stories about the origin of the ‘French 75’ cocktail which became famous in later years. The most popular legend surrounds the World War I Lieutenants who would carry cognac in their canteens to get them through the long days and cold nights in the trenches. Taking advantage of the local French Champagne which was abundant and accessible, the soldiers would use the spent French 75 shell casings laying about them as drinking vessels and eventually concocted a potent cognac and champagne mixture now known as the “French 75”; a cocktail with as much kick as its namesake canon."
- Culinary Adventures

French 75

Shake with cracked ice
1-1/2 ounces of dry gin
fresh juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp. powdered sugar

Pour into glass with ice cubes, fill with sparkling wine. Add a twist of lemon peel.

3 comments:

Karena said...

It sounds delish. I had never heard of this cocktail!

Fabulous Finds Gal said...

What an interesting story! I will have to make myself one of those on New Years Eve!

Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal

Town and Country House said...

Now I know what I'm serving New Year's Eve! And I'll have a story to go with it. Thanks for making me look so smart!