French 76 recipe
A crisp vodka-forward spin on the effervescent Parisian classic.
Method: Shake and strain, top with champagne ·
Glass: Champagne flute ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Vodka
- 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup
- 3 oz Brut champagne (chilled)
How to make a French 76
- Chill a champagne flute in the refrigerator.
- Combine vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 10 to 12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Fine strain the mixture into the chilled champagne flute.
- Top gently with chilled brut champagne and give a brief, delicate stir.
- Express the oils of a lemon twist over the surface and drop it into the glass.
Garnish
Lemon twist
Pro tip
Always use bone-dry brut champagne to balance the citrus acidity without masking the clean character of the vodka.
History of the French 76
While the original French 75 paired gin or cognac with champagne during World War I, the French 76 emerged as vodka gained widespread popularity in Western bars during the mid-20th century. The exact creator and date remain undocumented, though it quickly established itself as a refreshing, grain-neutral alternative in classic cocktail repertoires.
Flavour profile
Citrusy, Effervescent, Crisp, Refreshing
Variations
- French 75 — Substitute gin for vodka for a botanical, juniper-forward profile.
- French 74 — Substitute cognac for vodka for a richer, fruitier brandy backbone.
- Nordic 76 — Substitute aquavit for vodka to introduce caraway and herbal spice notes.
Practise making the French 76 in the free Virtual Bar game.