French 95
The French 95 is a spirited and elegant twist on the classic French 75, substituting American bourbon for the original's gin. This change creates a drink with more body and a warmer, slightly sweeter profile, featuring notes of vanilla and oak from the whiskey. The bright lemon juice and effervescent sparkling wine provide a refreshing counterpoint, resulting in a perfectly balanced and celebratory cocktail. It's an excellent choice for those who enjoy bourbon and are looking for a sophisticated, sparkling drink.
Preparation
Preparation time: 4 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The French 95 is a classic sparkling cocktail. It belongs to the "French 75" family of drinks, which are characterized by a spirit base, citrus, sugar, and a sparkling wine topper. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif or for celebratory occasions.
Serving
This is a cold, sparkling drink served in a chilled Champagne flute or coupe glass. It has a moderate alcohol content, making it a sophisticated yet approachable celebratory cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 150-180 ml / 5-6 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Champagne Flute
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
Like its predecessor, the French 75, the French 95 is named after a piece of French artillery, likely the Canon de 95 modèle 1888. It emerged as an American variation, reflecting the popularity of bourbon whiskey. The swap from gin to bourbon gives the classic a distinctly different character, showcasing how a simple substitution can create a new classic.
Origin
The drink is an American variation of the French 75. While the exact date of creation is uncertain, it likely appeared in the mid-20th century, following the popularization of the original French 75 in the United States.
French 95
The drink is consistently known as the French 95. It is sometimes referred to as a Bourbon French 75 to distinguish it from the original gin-based version. The name clearly positions it as a variation on the more famous French 75.
Original name
French 95
Alternative names
- Bourbon French 75
- French 95 Cocktail
Characteristics overview
The French 95 offers a delightful balance of sweet bourbon notes and tart lemon, lifted by a crisp, bubbly texture. Its aroma is a bright mix of citrus and whiskey, leading to a refreshing yet warming experience.
Flavor
Bubbly, citrusy, sweet, oaky, vanilla, caramel
Aroma
Lemon, bourbon, sparkling wine
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet-sour
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, warming
Fizziness
Effervescent, bubbly
Color appearance
Light gold, pale yellow, clear, effervescent
Texture
Light, crisp, fizzy
Seasonality
Refreshing, celebratory, all-season
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense, with a perfect balance between the sweetness of the syrup, the sourness of the lemon, and the underlying warmth of the bourbon. High carbonation adds a refreshing lift.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail requires bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and is topped with chilled Champagne or another dry sparkling wine. The quality of each ingredient, especially the fresh juice and bourbon, will significantly impact the final taste.
- Bourbon Whiskey45 ml / 1.5 ozA good quality, not-too-high-proof bourbon works best.
- Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozMust be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 ozUse a 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio. Adjust to taste.
- ChampagneTop up (approx. 90 ml / 3 oz)A dry Champagne (Brut) or other dry sparkling wine like Prosecco or Cava is recommended.
Ice type
- Cubed (for shaking)
Mixing equipments
You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, a jigger for measuring, and a strainer. These tools are essential for properly chilling and combining the ingredients before adding the sparkling wine.
- Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing the base ingredients.
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate ingredient portions.
- Strainer (Hawthorne or fine mesh) for pouring the chilled mix.
Instructions
The method involves shaking the bourbon, lemon, and syrup with ice, then straining into a chilled glass. The final step is to gently top the mixture with sparkling wine to preserve its effervescence.
1. Chill your Champagne flute or coupe glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and shake well for about 10-12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
4. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
5. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass.
6. Top slowly with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist, expressing the oils over the drink for added aroma.
Garnishing
The drink is traditionally garnished with a lemon twist. Expressing the lemon oils over the glass before dropping it in adds a bright citrus aroma.
- Lemon Twist: Express the oils from a lemon peel over the drink and drop it in.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is typically dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan, provided the wine and sugar are processed without animal products. While distilled spirits like bourbon are considered gluten-free by many, individuals with high sensitivity should be cautious.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and sugar. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low for a cocktail of this type.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-11 g
Sugar level
Occasions
With its bubbly and festive nature, the French 95 is perfect for celebrations like New Year's Eve, anniversaries, or special dinners. It's also sophisticated enough for a cocktail party and light enough to be enjoyed as an aperitif or at brunch.
- Celebration
- New Year's Eve
- Brunch
- Aperitif
- Cocktail Party
Pairing suggestions
The French 95's bright acidity and bubbles cut through rich and fatty foods beautifully. It pairs wonderfully with salty appetizers like oysters or charcuterie. Its complexity also complements richer fare like fried chicken or brunch dishes.
- Oysters or seafood appetizers
- Soft cheeses and charcuterie
- Light brunch dishes like eggs benedict
- Fried chicken
The French 95: A Spirited, Bubbly Bourbon Classic
The French 95 is a masterful and effervescent cocktail that provides a warming, bourbon-forward alternative to the classic French 75. Its blend of rich whiskey, tart citrus, and crisp sparkling wine creates a sophisticated and celebratory drink. Perfect for any special occasion, or simply when you desire a refreshing yet complex cocktail, it is easy to make yet delivers a truly elegant experience. The French 95 proves that sometimes a simple twist on a classic recipe can create something uniquely memorable.
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