WRRV’s 12 Days of Cocktails: French 75

For WRRV's 12 Days of Cocktails, Day 12, I was thinking that we needed to wrap this up with bubbles (to mark the end of the year) and some controversy (hey, why not? 2016 wasn't anything if not controversial, right).

This awesome classic cocktail that you can impress your friends with or maybe even get a non-gin drinker to actually try gin with, is called The French 75. According to many different websites and cocktail books, this drink first appeared during World War I. The cocktail (allegedly, and I use the word allegedly, because when alcohol is involved all of the sudden you have 10 versions of the same story) is named, because it had the kick of a French 75mm hand gun. Is it true? Judge for yourself.

Here is where the controversy comes in, seriously, people at the bar will argue which is the better version. Traditionally this cocktail is made with gin, but feel free to order a New Orleans French 75 (also called an Amrut French 75) which is made with cognac instead of gin. Is it better? Only you can decide.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces gin (or cognac) Try the Half Moon Gin from Tuthilltown or the one from Hudson Valley Distillers
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Garnish: long thin lemon spiral and cocktail cherry

Directions

• Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Shake gin, lemon juice, and sugar in a cocktail shaker until well chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into a champagne flute.
• Top with Champagne. Stir gently, garnish with a long, thin lemon spiral and a cocktail cherry.

Here is a bonus cocktail for you, an Apple Butter Bourbon Ball courtesy of Henry's at the Farm, Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa in Milton, NY.