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The French 76 is a sophisticated and sparkling cocktail that’s perfect for any celebration. It’s a direct and popular variation of the classic French 75, with one simple switch: it uses vodka instead of gin.

This swap makes for a cocktail that is cleaner, crisper, and smoother than its botanical-heavy predecessor. The neutral profile of the vodka allows the bright, tart lemon and the effervescent bubbles of the Champagne to take center stage.

It’s an incredibly elegant, refreshing, and dangerously easy-to-drink cocktail, ideal for brunch, holiday parties, or as a chic apéritif.

Why You’ll Love It

Effortlessly Elegant: This drink looks (and sounds) incredibly sophisticated, but it’s remarkably simple to make.
Crisp & Clean: By using vodka, the flavor is bright, refreshing, and straightforward, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Perfect for Celebrations: It’s a fantastic alternative to a plain glass of Champagne, making any event feel more festive.
Great for Brunch: A wonderful, refreshing step up from a standard Mimosa.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Single Cocktail (US)	Single Cocktail (Metric)	Pitcher (8 Cocktails)
Spirit
Vodka	2 oz	60 ml	2 cups (16 oz / 480 ml)
Citrus
Fresh Lemon Juice	¾ oz	22.5 ml	¾ cup (6 oz / 180 ml)
Sweetener
Simple Syrup (1:1)	½ oz	15 ml	½ cup (4 oz / 120 ml)
Sparkling Wine
Champagne (or Prosecco/Cava)	~3 oz	~90 ml	1 bottle (750 ml)
Dilution (for pitcher)
Cold Water	N/A	N/A	½ cup (4 oz / 120 ml)
Garnish
Lemon Twist	1	1	8 twists

Ingredient Notes

Vodka: Since the vodka is the base, use a good quality, smooth vodka. A clean, crisp profile is what you’re looking for, as its neutrality is the whole point.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable. It provides the bright acidity that makes the cocktail pop.
Simple Syrup: A 1:1 simple syrup (equal parts sugar and hot water, stirred until dissolved) is all you need. You can adjust the amount to your personal preference.
Sparkling Wine: True “Champagne” is traditional, but a high-quality dry (Brut) Prosecco from Italy or a Cava from Spain is a fantastic and often more affordable substitute.

Equipment Needed

Cocktail Shaker: To chill and dilute the vodka base.
Jigger: For precise measurements of the spirit, citrus, and syrup.
Strainer: A Hawthorne strainer for your shaker.
Champagne Flute: The classic glass, designed to preserve and showcase the bubbles.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chill Your Glass: Place a Champagne flute in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. A chilled glass is key to keeping the cocktail crisp and bubbly.
Shake the Base: Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
Shake Well: Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. The outside of the shaker should be very cold and frosted.
Strain: Strain the chilled vodka mixture into your prepared Champagne flute.
Top with Bubbles: Slowly pour the chilled sparkling wine over the base. Pouring gently and at a slight angle will help prevent it from foaming over.
Garnish: Express a lemon twist over the top of the glass by squeezing it, pith-side down, to release its fragrant oils. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass and then drop it in. Serve immediately.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The French 76 is bright, crisp, and wonderfully effervescent. Unlike its gin-based counterpart, the flavor profile is not botanical. Instead, the vodka provides a clean, neutral spirit backbone that allows the tartness of the fresh lemon juice to shine through.

The simple syrup rounds out the edges, providing just enough sweetness to balance the acid and the alcohol. The finish is bubbly, dry, and exceptionally refreshing.

Garnishing and Presentation

The beauty of this cocktail is in its elegant simplicity.

Glassware: A Champagne flute is the traditional choice, as its tall, narrow bowl enhances the stream of bubbles. An elegant coupe glass is also a very stylish alternative.
Garnish: The lemon twist is the quintessential garnish. The act of “expressing” the oils over the drink before dropping it in adds a crucial aromatic layer that hits your nose before you even take a sip, elevating the entire experience.

Cocktail History and Trivia

The French 76 is a direct variation of the world-famous French 75. The original French 75 was named after the 75mm field gun used by the French military in World War I—a piece of artillery known for its speed and power, which bartenders felt aptly described the cocktail’s potent effect.

While the original French 75’s base spirit is a topic of historical debate (early recipes called for Cognac, but it evolved to favor gin), the drink’s variations are named with simple numerical logic. Swapping the gin for vodka gave us the French 76, and other variations like the French 95 (using bourbon) and French 125 (using Cognac) follow suit.

Variations & Swaps

The Classic (French 75): Use 2 oz of a London Dry Gin instead of vodka for the original botanical experience.
Elderflower 76: Reduce the simple syrup to ¼ oz (7.5 ml) and add ½ oz (15 ml) of St-Germain elderflower liqueur for a lovely floral note.
French 95: Use 2 oz of Bourbon for a richer, sweeter, more complex sparkling sour.
Non-Alcoholic (French 0): Combine 1 oz of fresh lemon juice, ½ oz of simple syrup, and 4 oz of sparkling non-alcoholic wine or sparkling cider.

Batching & Dilution

This is a perfect cocktail to batch for a party, and it saves you from shaking every single drink to order.

Create the Base: In a large pitcher or bottle, combine the 2 cups of vodka, ¾ cup of lemon juice, and ½ cup of simple syrup.
Dilute: This mixture is missing the water from shaking with ice. To compensate, add ½ cup (4 oz / 120 ml) of cold water to the pitcher.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate the base mix for at least 4 hours, or until it is ice-cold.
Serve: To serve, pour 3 ¼ oz (97.5 ml) of the chilled base into each Champagne flute and top with ~3 oz of chilled sparkling wine. Garnish as usual.

Serving Suggestions And Pairings

The French 76 is the quintessential apéritif. Its high acidity and effervescence are perfect for cleansing the palate and stimulating the appetite before a meal.

It’s an excellent brunch cocktail, pairing beautifully with eggs Benedict or smoked salmon. It’s also a classic for celebrations like New Year’s Eve, anniversaries, or weddings. Serve it with light, salty appetizers like oysters, shrimp cocktail, goat cheese crostini, or simple salted nuts.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

Cocktail Foams Over: You poured the sparkling wine too quickly. Pour it slowly down the side of the tilted flute to preserve the bubbles and prevent a foam-over.
Too Sweet or Too Sour: The 0.75 oz lemon to 0.5 oz simple syrup ratio creates a modern, tart-leaning profile. If you have a sweeter tooth, feel free to adjust to a 0.75 oz to 0.75 oz ratio.
Shaking the Champagne: This might seem obvious, but it bears repeating: never put sparkling wine in a cocktail shaker. It will explode. The bubbles are always added at the end.

French 76 Cocktail: FAQs

What is the difference between a French 75 and a French 76?

It’s simple: a French 75 is made with gin, and a French 76 is made with vodka.

Do I have to use expensive Champagne?

No. While true Champagne is a delight, a high-quality dry (Brut) Prosecco or Cava will work beautifully and is often a fraction of the price. The key is to use a dry sparkling wine, not a sweet one like Asti Spumante.

Why is this cocktail shaken if it has bubbles?

You only shake the “base” of the cocktail—the spirit, citrus, and sugar. This is to chill, dilute, and aerate those ingredients. The bubbles (sparkling wine) are gently added after the base has been strained into the glass.

Can I serve this in a different glass?

Yes. While a flute is traditional for bubbles, a chilled coupe glass is also a very elegant and classic way to serve this cocktail.

French 76 Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

2 oz (60 ml) Vodka
¾ oz (22.5 ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
½ oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup (1:1)
~3 oz (~90 ml) Champagne or other dry sparkling wine, chilled
Garnish: 1 Lemon Twist

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until the shaker is frosted cold.
Strain the chilled mixture into a Champagne flute.
Slowly top the glass with the chilled sparkling wine.
Express a lemon twist over the glass to release its oils, rub the rim, and drop it in as a garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use a high-quality, smooth vodka, as its clean profile is the star of this variation.
Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
To prevent the cocktail from foaming over, pour the sparkling wine slowly down the side of a tilted glass.

Nutrition

ABV: Approximately 20% (will vary based on the sparkling wine)
Calories: 190 kcal
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Protein: 0 g
Fat: 0 g
Sugar: 8 g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is an estimate. Actual values may vary. Please drink responsibly and ensure you are of legal drinking age.

French 76 Cocktail Recipe: A Sparkling Twist on a Classic

Why You’ll Love It