Drink of the Week: The Bourbon French 75
A Bold Twist on a Classic Cocktail Perfect for the New Year
As we sit and chat about the memories made this holiday season, we’re taking time to raise a glass to new beginnings, too. Which means we’ve got a drink of the week to share with you, the Bourbon French 75.
The Bourbon French 75 is an easy drink to make, having only four ingredients (not counting ice and garnish). Having just four ingredients does not mean this is a ‘basic’ drink, though. The French 75 is a sophisticated, bold and bubbly drink you can enjoy on your own or serve at a cocktail get-together.
What Is a Bourbon French 75?
The Bourbon French 75 is a variation of the classic French 75, which is said to have been originally crafted during the early 1900’s, The original French 75 combines gin, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar for a light, refreshing drink. The Bourbon French 75 keeps the celebratory spirit of the original but replaces gin with bourbon.
Bourbon French 75 Ingredients:
- Bourbon – We selected Wolcott, a bourbon with a balance of caramel, dried fruit, and vanilla.
- Lemon Juice – Slice a lemon in half and give it a squeeze. You can save the other half of the lemon to use the peel for garnish as well.
- Simple syrup – For a dash of sweetness.
- Champagne or Sparkling Wine – Use your preferred Champagne or Sparkling wine and remember to chill it before mixing these cocktails!
How we Mixed it Up:
- We grabbed a cocktail shaker, filled it with ice, added bourbon, a few dashes of lemon juice, and a splash of simple syrup.
- The lid was put on the shaker and the shaker was shook.
- Then it was time to strain the cocktail into a champagne flute. (You could use a coupe glass instead, if you prefer.)
- Next to be added was the chilled Champagne, which was poured slowly over the rest of the cocktail and lemon was added for garnish.
Note: We’re not professional Mixologists but mixing things up like this worked for us, another approach may be better for you. The bubbles from the champagne did give this drink a wonderful bit of bubbly fun.
Good to Know
- These drinks are typically served in a Champagne Flute or Coupe Glass. A champagne flute helps keep the sparkling bubbles of the champagne. A coupe glass provides a vintage feel for an elegant celebration.
- There are Several Variations of the Bourbon French 75 you can try:
- The Smoked Bourbon French 75: For this you would use a smoked bourbon or infuse your bourbon with smoke before mixing. You can expect a bold, deep flavor that complements the citrus and champagne perfectly.
- The Maple Bourbon French 75: You get this by swapping the simple syrup for maple syrup, which complements the richness of the bourbon beautifully.
- The Berry Bourbon French 75: If you are a fan of raspberries or blackberries, you can muddle a few in the shaker before adding the bourbon and lemon juice.
Overall Impressions
The Bourbon French 75 is Elegant and Festive: Like its gin-based counterpart, the Bourbon French 75 keeps the celebratory sparkle of champagne, making it perfect for toasts and celebrations.
This Cocktail is Easy to Make: Despite its elegant appearance, the Bourbon French 75 is easy to make. It is a good drink to enjoy while celebrating quietly at home and a great option to consider when having a cocktail get-together.
Cheers to you from the Louisiana Ladies!
For more cocktail recipes and entertaining tips, visit our Louisiana Ladies Lifestyle section.
