📝 About This Recipe
Named after the powerful French 75mm field gun used in World War I, this cocktail is a sophisticated explosion of botanical gin, bright citrus, and effervescent Champagne. It is the ultimate bridge between a refreshing Tom Collins and a celebratory toast, offering a crisp, bone-dry profile that feels both vintage and timeless. Perfectly balanced and dangerously smooth, it is the quintessential drink for toasts, brunches, or elegant soirées.
🥗 Ingredients
The Spirit Base
- 1.5 ounces London Dry Gin (high-quality, botanical-forward)
- 0.5 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice (strained of all pulp)
- 0.5 ounce Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio of sugar to water)
The Effervescence
- 3 ounces Brut Champagne (well-chilled, authentic French preferred)
The Garnish & Ice
- 1 strip Lemon Peel (long spiral or 'twist')
- 1 piece Cocktail Cherry (optional, high-end Maraschino)
- 1 cup Large Ice Cubes (clear ice for shaking)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Begin by chilling your glassware; place a Champagne flute or a coupe glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes prior to preparation.
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2
Prepare your citrus by juicing a fresh lemon and passing it through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure no pulp or seeds interrupt the silky texture of the drink.
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3
Using a vegetable peeler or a channel knife, cut a long, thin spiral of lemon zest, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith.
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4
Fill a professional cocktail shaker about three-quarters full with large, solid ice cubes.
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5
Measure and pour exactly 1.5 ounces of London Dry Gin over the ice.
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6
Add 0.5 ounce of the freshly strained lemon juice to the shaker.
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7
Pour in 0.5 ounce of simple syrup to balance the tartness of the lemon.
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8
Secure the lid of the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels frost-bitten and extremely cold.
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9
Remove your chilled glass from the freezer.
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10
Double-strain the mixture (using the shaker's built-in strainer and a fine-mesh tea strainer) into the chilled glass to catch any tiny ice shards.
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11
Top the mixture slowly with 3 ounces of chilled Brut Champagne; the bubbles will naturally mix the ingredients, so no stirring is required.
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12
Express the oils of the lemon twist over the surface of the drink by giving it a gentle squeeze, then drop it elegantly into the glass.
💡 Chef's Tips
Always use fresh-squeezed lemon juice; bottled juice lacks the bright acidity needed to cut through the gin. For a more 'French' profile, use Cognac instead of Gin for a deeper, richer flavor known as the classic variation. Ensure your Champagne is ice-cold before pouring to maintain carbonation and prevent the drink from becoming diluted. If you prefer a drier drink, reduce the simple syrup to 0.25 ounce. When shaking, use large ice cubes rather than crushed ice to prevent the drink from becoming watery too quickly.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with salty appetizers like Oysters Rockefeller or smoked salmon blinis. Excellent alongside a creamy Brie or Camembert cheese board. Serve as a sophisticated welcome drink for a New Year's Eve party. Complements light seafood dishes like scallops or shrimp cocktail perfectly. Pairs wonderfully with lemon-infused desserts or shortbread cookies.