French 75

My celebratory lemony, bubbly, botanical drink of choice

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Cheers! This isn’t my usual kind of recipe, but this isn’t a usual month! On May 15^th we are celebrating our 10-year anniversary — I’ll drink to that! And I figured, though I’m not a big drinker, when I am feeling celebratory — this is my go-to cocktail of choice that I had to share: French 75.

The drink dates to World War I, when in 1915 an early form was created at the New York Bar in Paris. Though it is said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun — when made with the freshest ingredients tastes light, bubbly and botanical.

Ingredients:

• Gin of choice
• Lemon juice (fresh squeezed is a must!)
• Simple syrup [see quick recipe below]
• Champagne or Prosecco

Directions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin (1 oz), lemon juice (1/2 oz), and simple syrup (1/2 oz) and shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a Champagne flute or coupe glass and top with Champagne or Prosecco (3 oz).
4. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!

Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water.  It is ‘simple’ to make.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and simmer, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
2. You can also infuse it with flavor like lavender or ginger. Let it steep for 15-minutes then strain it, discard any add-ins, and chill the syrup until you’re ready to use it.
3. The simple syrup can be made in advance and stored in the fridge.

Note: For extra pizazz I always pull out beautiful, old vintage glasses to serve in.

—Lea Haas, Owner, The Garden Cafe Woodstock