French 75 (cocktail)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Type | Cocktail |
|---|---|
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Standard drinkware |
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| Commonly used ingredients | |
| Preparation | Combine cognac, sugar, (and lemon juice if desired) in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a two iced Champagne flutes (or a Collins glass with crushed ice). Fill with sparkling wine. |
| Notes | cherry or orange slice |
French 75 is a cocktail made from cognac, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. There is some controversy over whether the cocktail was originally made with cognac or with gin and champagne.
The drink was originally concocted by the Franco-American World War I flying ace Raoul Lufbery who was part of Escadrille Américaine air fighting unit. Legend has it that he liked champagne, but wanted something with more of a kick to it, so he mixed it with cognac which was readily available. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm howitzer artillery piece, also called a "75 Cocktail", or "Soixante Quinze" in French. The French 75 was popularized in America at the Stork Club.
If Vodka is substituted the result can be referred to as a French 76.
[edit] Quotes
In the same family as the various versions of champagne cocktail is the celebrated French 75, an elixir which, if it did not actually have its origin in the first of the German wars, at least came to the general attention of American drinkers at that time and was immediately enshrined in the pharmacopoeia of alcohol artistry in the United States upon the conclusion of hostilities in 1919. - Lucius Beebe, The Stork Club Bar Book
Hits with remarkable precision. - Harry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book
It's unclear what makes the French 75 so powerful—maybe it's the combination of liquors— but, whoo boy, do you feel it when you down one! - Jean Shepherd, raconteur and author
Named after an hard-hitting World War I artillery piece, the French 75 is, as far as can be determined, the only cocktail invented in the United States during Prohibition to become a classic.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- "Love Potion". Tulsa World. 2008-02-10. http://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyle/article.aspx?articleID=20080209_4_D4_hCele25434. Retrieved 2008-07-03.
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The best I have had this cocktail mixed, was at Arnaud's Restraunt in their lounge on Rue Bienville in New Orleans LA.
