Dress up the classic French 75 for spring! The Rose French 75 is a stunning pink cocktail made with Empress Elderflower Rose Gin, rose syrup, zesty lemon juice, and bubbly Prosecco. The sparkling cocktail is sweet, floral, and delicious. It’s the perfect drink for garden parties, bridal showers, or spring happy hours.
What Is a French 75?
The French 75 is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. Rumor has it the name is a reference to a fast and accurate French military gun from World War I because this cocktail is strong and hits you quickly.
The first record of the cocktail is from the famous 1926 cocktail book, Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails. The book was written by renowned bartender Harry MacElhone, owner of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France.1
French 75 lovers will also enjoy sparkling cocktails like the Hugo Spritz, a Raspberry Bellini, and the French 76 (made with vodka instead of gin).
Rose French 75 Cocktail Ingredients
- Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin – This vibrant pink spirit brings a bright floral flavor to the herbaceous taste of gin. Empress 1908 is the only spirit manufacturer with this specific flavor of gin, and it is worth adding to your bar cart. The original flavor is unmatched.
- Lemon Juice – Brighten the flavor of the cocktail with a splash of fresh lemon juice. This adds acidity and helps blend the floral flavors.
- Rose Syrup – Add sweetness and more rose flavor to the cocktail with a splash of syrup made from roses. Purchase rose syrup from stores like World Market, or make your own.
- Champagne (or Sparkling Wine) – Traditionally, French 75s are made with champagne. However, sparkling wines like Prosecco or Cava are great and more affordable alternatives. Sparkling rosé is a great alternative for this recipe because it pairs well with floral flavors.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and detailed instructions.
Homemade Rose Syrup
Simple syrup is one of the best ingredients for adding sweetness to a cocktail. If you can stir, then you can make this cocktail sugar syrup!
- Add 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of food-grade dried rose petals or rose buds, and 1 cup of sugar to a small saucepan.
- Heat the saucepan on medium-low heat. It does not need to boil!
- Continuously stir the water-sugar mixture until all of the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool for an hour.
- Strain into a glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or an airtight container and store in the fridge.
- Rose syrup lasts for 4 weeks in the refrigerator!
How to Make a Rose French 75
This bubbly cocktail recipe is the perfect pink French 75. Its floral and sweet flavor is perfect for spring.
Step One – Pour the elderflower rose gin, rose syrup, and lemon juice directly into a champagne or coupe glass. If your ingredients are not cold, you may add them to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Then, transfer the chilled ingredients to your cocktail glass.
Step Two – Top the gin mixture with champagne or Prosecco.
Garnish with a twist of lemon or a dried rose bud.
What Type of Glass Do I Use?
- Champagne flute – Flutes have less surface area at the top of the cocktail. A small surface area helps the carbonation of champagne or sparkling wine last longer.
- Coupe glass – Coupe glasses have a larger surface area, so the carbonation doesn’t last as long. However, the large mouth of the glass allows you to take in the scents of the cocktail as you drink. Smelling a cocktail is especially enjoyable with floral drinks.
Can I Make This Cocktail in Bulk?
The gin, lemon juice, and rose syrup may be mixed in bulk. Simply multiply the recipe by the number of drinks you wish to serve. Combine them in a small pitcher and chill. When serving your guests, pour the mixture into the cocktail glasses. Then, top off with champagne and a rose or lemon twist garnish.
More Delightful Spring Cocktail Recipes
- https://spiritsbeacon.com/cocktails/recipes/french-75 ↩︎
Rose French 75
Equipment
- cocktail shaker optional
Ingredients
- 1 oz Empress Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 1/2 oz rose syrup
- 4 oz sparkling wine
Homemade Rose Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup food-grade dried rose buds or petals
Instructions
- Pour the elderflower rose gin, rose syrup, and lemon juice directly into a champagne or coupe glass.
- Top the gin mixture with sparkling wine.
How to Make Rose Syrup
- Add 1 cup water, 1/2 cup food-grade dried rose petals or rose buds, and 1 cup sugar to a small saucepan.
- Heat on stovetop at medium-low. Stir frequently until sugar dissolves.
- Cool for 1 hour.
- Strain into an airtight jar and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
This Rose French 75 sounds like a springtime dream! I love how it combines floral and fizzy. Have you tried making it with elderflower liqueur instead of gin? 🍸
I wouldn’t sub out the elderflower for gin, but you could use regular gin and add a bit of elderflower liqueur.