This Elderflower French 75, also known as a French 77, is a light, bubbly twist on the classic. A beautiful choice for fans of French 75s and St. Germain cocktails. The ideal cocktail to serve your guests.
Why You Should Make Elderflower Cocktails
The French 75 Cocktail is a classic cocktail; bright, citrusy with floral flavors thanks to St. Germain. Serve this French 77 cocktail as a Sunday brunch cocktail this Easter, to ring in New Year’s Eve, or for any celebration.
I love mixing pretty and delicious cocktails for a special occasion, like this Blueberry Gin Cocktail with gorgeous color or this Cranberry Lemon Drop Martini. Serve along with this Charcuterie bouquet for any celebration.
What is Freaky Friday?
Freaky Friday is a blog hop created by Michaela from An Affair from the Heart. Each participating blogger is secretly assigned another blogger’s site to choose and recreate a recipe. Then, we all reveal our posts on the same Friday, so fun!
Meet Susannah
When I was paired with Susannah from Feast + West, I knew I’d be making a cocktail—she’s the queen of them! Based in Charlotte, NC, Susannah shares simple, delicious cocktail recipes that are perfect whether you’re new to mixing drinks or a seasoned home bartender.
I hope you take the time to get to know Susannah and her blog at Feast & West.
French 75 St. Germain
While choosing a recipe from her blog, I found this Honey Lemon Whisky Sour and her Two Ingredient Beermosas too enticing not to try. But my choice is this Elderflower French 75 Cocktail; I am hosting Easter this year and thought it would be the perfect cocktail!
Check out my previous Freaky Friday recipes: Easy King Cake Recipe Crescent Rolls, White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Toasted Ravioli, Old Fashioned Lemon Squares, Creamy Bow Tie Pasta Recipe, Cranberry Bourbon Sour, Mint Fudge Brownies, and Oatmeal Rolled Sugar Cookies.
Why you will love these 5-minute Elderflower Cocktails
- Fast & Easy: This recipe only uses four ingredients, making it a quick shaker-to-glass concoction.
- Refreshing: Any cocktail made with champagne or sparkling wine is refreshing!
- Fancy Drinks: Served in a beautiful Champagne flute, this recipe is perfect for toasting any occasion! In fact, if you want to be truly traditional, purchase these straight edge champagne glasses, they resemble the shape of the shell from the cannons. Très élégant, non?
A Bit of French 75 Cocktail History
The Classic French 75 Cocktail name is said to originate from the French 75 mm field gun or cannon used in World War I. Chris Hannah of Arnaud’s French 75 Bar in New Orleans claims, “The Lafayette Escadrille were an allied fighter pilot outfit made up of American soldiers and French military who would drink cognac and Champagne after successful air raids and toast to the French 75 cannon for their safety.”
According to Difford’s Guide, a bartender named Henry Tépé of Henry’s Bar in Paris may have named the cocktail “Soixante Quinze” (seventy-five in French) phrases with inferences that both the cannon and the cocktail will “both knock you flat.”
The cocktail was originally made with cognac, and simple syrup, but today the popular beverage is made with gin. But who is to say which is better? If you’d like to try it with cognac, I recommend Pierre Ferrand.
This classic champagne cocktail is similar to the famous Tom Collins, which is made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda.
The French 75 Cocktail elevates the Tom Collins original recipe by incorporating champagne and St. Germain, rather than simple syrup and is known as French 77’s. Making it an ideal signature cocktail.
Recommended Equipment
- Cocktail shaker – I love this cocktail shaker, because it’s so pretty, but honestly, a quart sized mason jar works just as well!
- Citrus Channel Knife or vegetable peeler – Make easy lemon twists using a channel knife, or just a quick twist using a peeler
- French 75 Glass (flute or coupe) – Love these traditional French 75 glasses, but this is also beautiful in a coupe glass and I’m swooning over the brass bottom champagne flutes that Susannah features in her recipe. Or go with a basic tall Collins glass.
- Jigger or measuring cup – Use a mini measuring cup or purchase a jigger, one side is, perfect for this cocktail.
What you’ll need for Cocktails with St Germain
- Gin – I like a botanical gin, like Hendricks, which has cucumber undertones, and have also made it with Empress 1908 gin, which is purple and provides a gorgeous color. Gin is made from juniper berries.
- St Germain Elderflower Liqueur: Elderflower comes from fresh elderflower blossoms of the elderberry plant and has a delicate, floral aroma with subtle notes of pear, lychee, and citrus. These tiny white flowers bloom in late spring and are hand-picked at their peak to make St-Germain, giving the liqueur its light, fresh, and slightly sweet flavor.
- Lemon – You’ll use freshly squeezed lemon juice in the cocktail and add a lemon peel twist for the garnish.
- Bubbly – Use chilled dry champagne (called brut), sparkling wine, Spanish Cava, or Prosecco (Italian Sparkling Wine) to add effervescence. Save expensive champagne for another celebration; instead, I opted for a light and crisp Italian Prosecco.
- Garnish: Optional garnish with fresh elderflowers or a sprig of mint.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to make a Twist of Lemon
- Using a channel knife, hold a washed and dried lemon. Start at the bottom and rotate the lemon, keeping the channel knife in place until you have achieved the desired length for your twist, careful to not get the pith (the bitter white part).
- Wrap lemon peel around a small straw, or skewer – tightly.
- Press the twist using the warmth of your hands onto the stick, slide off and garnish.
- Alternatively, cut the ends off of a lemon, slip a paring knife between the lemon peel and the flesh and remove the peel, slice into thin strips.
- Watch quick video below to see how it’s done!
- Before twisting, run that lemon around the rim of the glass.
How to make Elderflower Liqueur Cocktails
Step 1 | Prep the Bar
Gather the gin, St. Germain, Champagne, and a lemon. You will also need a jigger to measure the liquor.
Juice the lemon, remove the seeds, and make a lemon twist; set the fresh lemon juice and twist aside. Fill your shaker with ice and get ready to make the cocktail.
Step 2 | Fill the Shaker
Measure your gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice into the ice-filled shaker.
Step 3 | Shake and Finish
Shake vigorously to chill the beverage. 15-20 shakes should do it, then pour into a gorgeous champagne glass.
Top with sparkling wine or champagne and garnish with a fragrant lemon twist and sip away!
Most importantly, share this yummy cocktail with a friend or two! The more, the merrier, right?
St Germain Cocktail Recipe Variations
- Gin: Try using other gins. Empress Gin would be gorgeous.
- No Gin: Not into gin? Try Vodka.
- Cognac: Go classic and use cognac instead of gin or your favorite whiskey.
- Fruity Cocktail: Add some fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries,
- Holiday Cocktail: Add a splash of pomegranate juice or grenadine during the holidays and garnish with pomegranate arils and a sprig of rosemary- delightful!
- Bubble Free: Not a fan of the bubbles? Use a nice white wine instead, or even real lemonade.
How to lighten up Cocktails with Elderflower Liqueur
Admittedly, this is a strong cocktail, other than an oz of lemon juice – it is all alcohol, so drink responsibly and enjoy these options for a lightened up French 75.
- Instead of using champagne or sparkling wine, replace with tonic water, sparkling water or try Elderflower Tonic Water.
- Serve in a wine glass, with crushed ice and it will water it down as it sits.
- In addition to replacing the champagne, use an alcohol-free gin, like Seedlip, it’s delicious and would also be fabulous in my Tangerine & Thyme Gin & Tonic.
Can I make these Drinks with Elderflower Liqueur into mocktails?
Well, friends, a cocktail that is made up entirely of spirits and liqueur is, by nature, difficult to make into a mocktail. However; here are my suggestions to make a non-alcoholic French 75.
For adults, use Seedlip gin or other non-alcoholic gin, double the lemon juice and add 1-2 ounces of simple syrup to taste, then top with Elderflower tonic water. For kids, try adding equal parts lemon juice and simple syrup (about 2 ounces of each) and equal parts soda water and Sanpellegrino Limonata.
Never add the carbonated beverage into the shaker before shaking. You will have a French 75 explosion, although not as big of a blast as the cannons; it will make quite a mess!
What is a French 75?
A Classic French 75 is made with gin or cognac, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar, although several variations have been created over the years, like the French 77 with elderflower.
What is Elderflower Liqueur?
Elderflower liqueur is made from the delicate white blossoms of the elderberry bush, which are hand-picked in late spring. The result is a beautifully balanced liqueur with a sweet, floral flavor and concentrated aroma.
French 75 Variations
As with many drinks, when you change the main alcohol you change the flavor and hence the name. Try all of these variations and be sure to check out Susannah’s French 75 Variations, she is a wealth of information.
- Replace gin with vodka, making it a French 76.
- When you add sweet Elderflower liqueur like we’ve done here, it becomes a French 77.
- Add bourbon and it’s a French 95 and with brandy it’s called a French 45.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding a splash of maple syrup, agave or simple syrup.
- Swap the lemon juice with fresh lime juice or a combination of the two.
Elderflower French 75 (French 77) by the Pitcher (serves 6-8)
- Lemon twists or edible flowers, for garnish
- 1 cup gin (or vodka, if preferred)
- ¾ cup St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- 1 bottle (750ml) chilled dry sparkling wine (like Champagne, Spanish Cava, or Prosecco)
In a large pitcher, combine 1 cup of gin, ¾ cup of St-Germain, and ½ cup of fresh lemon juice. Stir well, then chill for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, gently stir in one 750ml bottle of chilled sparkling wine. Serve over ice in glasses and garnish with lemon twists or edible flowers.
What to serve with Elderflower Cocktails
- Serve this classic cocktail with your favorite appetizers and sweet treats.
- Try my Easy Pesto with Burrata and Roasted Tomatoes, Charcuterie Cups, and Goat Cheese with Hot Honey, Fig and Pistachios.
- Be sure to have some simple sweet treats; like my classy Champagne Truffles, Scottish Shortbread or Lemon Cranberry Bars.
I hope you loved this French 75 Recipe St Germain, it’s perfect for Mother’s day, Valentine’s day, Christmas, Easter, bridal showers…
Share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Video
Equipment
- French 75 Champagne Flutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces gin a botanical gin, such as Hendrick's or Empress 1908 Gin
- ½ ounce St. Germain Elderflower Liqueuer
- ½ ounce lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 4 ounces dry champagne look for "Brut", sparkling wine or Prosecco may also be used
- Lemon Twist garnish
Instructions
- Add gin, elderflower liqueur and lemon juice to cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously, 15-20 shakes, pour into a champagne glass, top with sparkling wine, garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
-
- Gin: Try using other gins. Empress Gin would be gorgeous.
- No Gin: Not into gin? Try Vodka.
- Cognac: Go classic and use cognac instead of gin or your favorite whiskey.
- Fruity Cocktail: Add some fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries,
- Holiday Cocktail: Add a splash of pomegranate juice or grenadine during the holidays and garnish with pomegranate arils and a sprig of rosemary- delightful!
- Bubble Free: Not a fan of the bubbles? Use a nice white wine instead, or even real lemonade.
-
- Instead of using champagne or sparkling wine, replace with tonic water, sparkling water or try Elderflower Tonic Water.
- Serve in a wine glass, with crushed ice and it will water it down as it sits.
- In addition to replacing the champagne, use an alcohol-free gin, like Seedlip, it’s delicious and would also be fabulous in my Tangerine & Thyme Gin & Tonic
Nutrition
Stu Selip
Delish! A refreshing cocktail that always seems right.
Thanks so much, Stu! So glad you liked it!!
Amy
Thank you for including a mocktail version! I’m sure it’s hard to modify this particular recipe but it’s so beautiful and I’m excited to try the mocktail one!
You are most welcome!
Charles
Hi,
Since I am enamored by all things French, Your Elderflower French 75 will be a hit this Spring for Sunday Brunches! Thanks for sharing.
Perfect! Thanks so much, Charles!
Dana
Love this! It’s so nice and refreshing. The St. Germaine adds such a nice hint of floral notes!
It really does, thanks, Dana!
Sharon
I really love gin cocktails so when I came across this classy cocktail with Elderflower, I knew I had to try it!
Hope you loved it!
Beth
This sounds like an amazing cocktail! I’ve never had a French 75, but the ingredients tell me I”m going to love it.
Fabulous, hope you do love it, Beth!
Natalie Marie
I absolutely love elderflower, I can’t wait to give this a shot!
I hope you love it, Natalie!
Susannah
I love that you chose this recipe, Kathleen! It’s one of my all-time favorites. The floral flavor, the effervescence, the fanciness — it’s all so so special. Your photos are so lovely!
It was so fun to make Susannah, such a fabulous recipe, as I knew it would be! It was a tough one to photograph!
Nikki
Made these for a shower and they were a big hit!
Perfect for a shower!
jill
Your lemon curls are perfection! What a terrific drink recipe, all of your drink recipes are amazing! I love the bubbly in this one!
Thank you so much Jill, so appreciate your kind words!
jennifer
This was amazing and refreshing! I love anything with elderflower in it and the bubbles just make the flavor more intense
Thanks Jennifer.
Sheila
Love this twist on a classic cocktail! Just beautiful!
Thank you!
Erin
What a fabulous and fun twist on the classic! You can never go wrong with a French 75, and the addition of St. Germain? SO GOOD.
Thank you Erin!
susan | the wimpy vegetarian
French 75 is one of my favorite cocktails, and I often order it at restaurants for a pre-dinner drink. I absolutely love all your variation ideas, and tips. I’d like to make these at home, and with your post, now I can!!
Yay! So glad it’s one you love!
Sam
French 75s are one of my favorites and I love the addition of the elderflower!
Thank you! It’s the ideal compliment.
Tristin
Ooooh this is going to be happening for sure for weekend brunch! Looks gorgeous and flavorful!!
I hope you will love it!! It’s DELISH!
Michaela Kenkel
These sound perfect for Easter brunch!! So beautiful, Kathleen!
Thank you!! So perfect for Easter!