French 77

The French 77 is a delightful and elegant sparkling cocktail that updates the classic French 75 recipe. By substituting the traditional simple syrup with St-Germain elderflower liqueur, it introduces a beautiful floral sweetness that complements the tartness of the lemon and the botanical notes of the gin. The cocktail is topped with Champagne or another sparkling wine, giving it a crisp, effervescent finish. It's a perfectly balanced, refreshing, and celebratory drink.
French 77

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The French 77 is a modern classic cocktail, categorized as a sparkling wine cocktail. It is an elegant aperitif, belonging to the same family as its famous predecessor, the French 75. Its composition makes it a popular choice in cocktail bars worldwide.

Serving

Serve this moderately strong, cold drink in a chilled Champagne flute to preserve its bubbles and elegant appearance. The result is a crisp, floral, and celebratory cocktail perfect for any special occasion.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml (4-5 oz)
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-18% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Champagne Flute
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The French 77 is a contemporary variation of the World War I-era French 75 cocktail. It was created by Simon Difford in 2006. The name cleverly pays homage to its inspiration, simply updating the number to signify a new version, while the inclusion of St-Germain elderflower liqueur firmly places it in the modern cocktail revival era.
Origin
Created in the United Kingdom by Simon Difford in 2006.

French 77

The drink is most commonly known as the French 77. It is sometimes referred to as an Elderflower 75 or St-Germain 75, directly referencing the key ingredient that differentiates it from the classic French 75 cocktail.
Original name
French 77
Alternative names
  • Elderflower 75
  • St-Germain 75

Characteristics overview

The French 77 offers a delightful sensory experience with a dominant floral and citrus aroma, leading to a balanced sweet and tart flavor. Its light, bubbly texture and crisp, clean finish make it exceptionally refreshing.
Flavor
Floral, citrusy, bubbly, refreshing, sweet, tart
Aroma
Elderflower, lemon, juniper, yeasty
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, lingering floral notes
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Pale yellow, light gold, clear, sparkling
Texture
Light-bodied, crisp, effervescent
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, spring-like, celebratory

Flavor intensity & Experience

This drink presents a harmonious balance of moderate sweetness from the elderflower and sourness from the lemon. It has a medium alcohol strength, is highly carbonated, and features no bitterness, saltiness, or spice.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice for the base, which is then topped with chilled Brut Champagne or another dry sparkling wine. Fresh ingredients are key to this cocktail's vibrant flavor.
  • Gin30 ml (1 oz)
    A London Dry style gin works beautifully.
  • Elderflower Liqueur15 ml (0.5 oz)
    St-Germain is the classic choice.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml (0.5 oz)
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • ChampagneTop up (approx. 60 ml / 2 oz)
    Brut Champagne is ideal. Good quality Prosecco or Cava are excellent substitutes.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking

Mixing equipments

The essential tools are a cocktail shaker and strainer to combine and chill the gin, liqueur, and juice. Accurate measurements with a jigger will ensure a well-balanced drink.
  • Cocktail shaker to chill and mix the base ingredients.
  • Strainer to pour the chilled mixture without ice.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.

Instructions

The process involves chilling the glass, shaking the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice with ice, and then straining it into the flute. Finally, top it with sparkling wine and garnish with a lemon twist.
1. Place your Champagne flute in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill, then discard the ice/water.
2. Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Double-strain the mixture into the chilled Champagne flute.
5. Slowly top the drink with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine, pouring gently to preserve carbonation.
6. To garnish, take a strip of lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink by twisting it, and then drop it into the glass.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish, adding a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's flavors. Alternatively, an edible flower can be used for a more decorative touch.
  • Lemon twist to express oils over the drink and place in the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free. While gin is gluten-free, some sparkling wines may use non-vegan fining agents, so check the label for strict vegan compliance.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is relatively low in calories and carbohydrates, with its sugar content coming primarily from the elderflower liqueur and a small amount from the sparkling wine.
Calories
Averagely 140-160 kcal (586-670 kJ)
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8-10 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 7-9 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for celebratory toasts, elegant brunches, or as a sophisticated aperitif before a meal. Its light and refreshing character also makes it an excellent choice for weddings, garden parties, and warm summer evenings.
  • Celebrations
  • Brunch
  • Aperitif
  • Summer Parties
  • Weddings

Pairing suggestions

The French 77 pairs beautifully with light and delicate foods. Consider serving it with seafood appetizers, soft cheeses like goat cheese, or fresh fruit tarts. Its crispness cuts through richness while its floral notes complement subtle flavors.
  • Light appetizers
  • Seafood, such as oysters or shrimp cocktail
  • Goat cheese and crackers
  • Fruit-based desserts

The French 77: A Floral and Effervescent Delight

The French 77 is an elegant and refreshing sparkling cocktail that builds upon the timeless French 75. Its key innovation is the use of elderflower liqueur, which lends a delicate floral sweetness and complexity. Perfectly balanced between sweet, tart, and bubbly, it serves as a fantastic aperitif or celebratory drink. Easy to make yet sophisticated in taste, it's a modern classic beloved for its bright, aromatic character.

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