French 75 with Cognac

While most people think of gin when they order a French 75, my friend, Paul, challenged me to create the perfect French 75 with cognac. As a whiskey drinker, I prefer this version over the traditional gin-based French 75. Give both recipes a try and tell me which one has your vote.

––FOR ONE––

• 1.25 oz cognac
• .5 oz lemon juice
• .5 simple syrup
• 3 oz brut champagne, or other dry sparkling wine
• lemon peel for garnish

Add cognac, lemon juice, and simple syrup to shaker with ice. Shake until cold, then strain into champagne flute. Garnish with lemon peel.

––FOR A BATCH––

serves 8

• 10 oz cognac
• 4 oz lemon juice
• 4 oz simple syrup
• 2 oz of water
• 750 ml bottle of brut champagne, or other dry sparkling wine
• lemon peel for garnish

STEP 1
Add cognac, lemon juice, simple syrup, and water to pitcher. Chill until cold.

STEP 2
When ready to serve, pour roughly 2.25 oz of chilled cocktail into each champagne flute. Top each flute with 3 oz of champagne. Garnish with lemon peel.