Save This On Pinterest! Follow Us on Pinterest

While modern drinkers associate the French 75 with gin (or vodka, in the case of a French 76), history points to a different origin. The French 125 is not just a variation; it is a return to the cocktail’s original, rich, French-rooted form.

This version swaps the spirit for Cognac, the famed grape brandy of France.¹ This simple change creates a profoundly different drink. It’s richer, fruitier, and more complex than its counterparts, with deep notes of stone fruit and spice from the Cognac that pair beautifully with the crisp lemon and fine bubbles of Champagne.

This is a sophisticated, luxurious, and historically significant cocktail that is perfect for any true celebration.

Why You’ll Love It

Historically Authentic: This is a nod to the original recipes for the French 75, which were built on Cognac, not gin.
Deep & Rich Flavor: Cognac brings a wonderful depth, with notes of fruit, vanilla, and spice that gin or vodka simply can’t replicate.²
Luxurious & Celebratory: This drink feels special. It’s the perfect, elegant sipper for an anniversary, holiday, or New Year’s Eve.
Wonderfully Balanced: The richness of the Cognac is perfectly cut by the bright, tart lemon and the dry, effervescent bubbles.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Single Cocktail (US)	Single Cocktail (Metric)	Pitcher (8 Cocktails)
Spirit
Cognac (VS or VSOP)	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

Cognac: A VS (Very Special) Cognac is perfect for this cocktail, as its bright, fruity profile is ideal for mixing.³ A VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) will also work beautifully, adding richer notes of oak and spice.
Lemon Juice: Must be freshly squeezed. The bright, sharp acidity is the only thing that can properly balance the rich spirit and wine.
Simple Syrup: A basic 1:1 simple syrup is all that’s needed. The Cognac brings its own subtle sweetness, so you don’t need to overdo it.
Sparkling Wine: To stay 100% French, a true Brut Champagne is the classic choice. However, a high-quality dry Cava from Spain or a Franciacorta from Italy are excellent substitutes.

Equipment Needed

Cocktail Shaker: To chill and dilute the Cognac base.
Jigger: For precise, balanced measurements.
Strainer: A Hawthorne strainer for your shaker.
Champagne Flute: The traditional, elegant glassware for this cocktail.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chill Your Glass: Place a Champagne flute in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. A frigid glass keeps the bubbles finer for longer.
Shake the Base: Add the Cognac, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.⁴ Fill the shaker with plenty of ice.
Shake Hard: Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosted and intensely cold.
Strain: Strain the chilled Cognac mixture into your prepared, ice-cold Champagne flute.
Top with Bubbles: Gently and slowly pour the chilled Champagne over the base. Pouring at an angle down the side of the glass will help preserve the bubbles.
Garnish: Express a fresh lemon twist over the surface of the drink to release its fragrant oils, rub the peel around the rim, and drop it in.⁵

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The French 125 is a truly sophisticated sip. The aroma is a beautiful mix of bright lemon oils and the deep, fruity, and slightly floral bouquet of the Cognac.

The palate is richer and rounder than other French 75 variations. You’ll taste the bright lemon sour, but it’s immediately complemented by flavors of apricot, vanilla, and warm spice from the Cognac. The Champagne lightens the entire experience, and the finish is dry, crisp, and exceptionally elegant.

Garnishing and Presentation

This cocktail is pure, timeless elegance.

Glassware: A Champagne flute is the classic choice to showcase the stream of bubbles.⁶ A coupe glass is also a very stylish and period-appropriate alternative.
Garnish: The lemon twist is essential. The oils misted onto the surface of the drink are the first thing you smell, and they perfectly complement both the Cognac and the Champagne.

Cocktail History and Trivia

This cocktail is the original French 75, as first recorded by Harry MacElhone in his 1922 book, Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails. At the time, he called for Cognac. Over the years, particularly in London and America, gin’s popularity surged, and it became the more common base, eventually usurping the original.

The numerical naming system for its variations came later. The French 75 was named for the 75mm field gun.⁷ The vodka version became the French 76, and the bourbon version the French 95. The “French 125” name was retroactively applied to the original Cognac version, likely a nod to an even larger artillery piece, to fit the established naming convention.

Variations & Swaps

French 75: Use 2 oz of London Dry Gin instead of Cognac for the now-classic botanical version.
French 95: Use 2 oz of Bourbon for a warm, spicy, all-American take.⁸
Rich Simple Syrup: Use a 2:1 simple syrup (two parts sugar, one part water) for a richer mouthfeel, but reduce the amount to ¼ oz (7.5 ml).
Orange Twist: Garnish with an orange twist instead of a lemon to pull out the dried fruit notes in the Cognac.

Batching & Dilution

This is a perfect cocktail to batch for a sophisticated, “no-shake” party.

Create the Base: In a large pitcher or bottle, combine 2 cups of Cognac, ¾ cup of fresh lemon juice, and ½ cup of simple syrup.
Dilute: This base mix needs water to replace the dilution from shaking. Add ½ cup (4 oz / 120 ml) of cold water.
Chill: Stir and refrigerate the base mix for at least 4 hours, or until it is thoroughly chilled.
Serve: To serve, pour 3 oz (90 ml) of the chilled base into each Champagne flute. Top with 3 oz (90 ml) of chilled Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

Serving Suggestions And Pairings

The French 125 is a luxurious apéritif, perfect for greeting guests at a holiday party or for a special toast on New Year’s Eve or an anniversary.⁹

Its rich, fruity profile pairs wonderfully with fine cheeses, especially a creamy Brie or a nutty Comté. It also complements appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped figs, pâté on toast points, or smoked duck.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

It Tastes “Flat”: Your sparkling wine was not cold enough or was poured too aggressively, causing it to lose its bubbles. Make sure both the base and the wine are thoroughly chilled.
Too Strong: This is a spirit-forward cocktail, as was intended. If you find it too potent, you can reduce the Cognac to 1.5 oz (45 ml).
Too Sour: The 0.75 oz lemon to 0.5 oz simple syrup ratio is a modern, drier specification. If you prefer, you can use 0.75 oz of simple syrup for a more balanced 1:1 sour ratio, which was common in older recipes.

FAQs

What is the difference between a French 75 and a French 125?

A French 75 is typically made with Gin.¹⁰ A French 125 is made with Cognac.¹¹ Ironically, the French 125 is closer to the original 1920s recipe.

What does “VS” or “VSOP” mean on a Cognac bottle?

These are aging classifications.

VS (Very Special): The youngest Cognac in the blend has been aged for at least two years.¹²
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): The youngest Cognac in the blend has been aged for at least four years.13A VS is great for the bright fruitiness needed in this cocktail, but a VSOP will add more oak and spice.

Can I use Brandy instead of Cognac?

Yes, but the flavor will be different. Cognac is a specific type of grape brandy from the Cognac region of France, known for its high quality and specific flavor profile.¹⁴ A good quality brandy from another region (like an Armagnac or a Spanish Brandy de Jerez) will also make a delicious, though different, cocktail.

Recipe Card

French 125: The Sophisticated Cognac Version of the French 75

Ingredients

2 oz (60 ml) Cognac (VS or VSOP)
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 Cognac, 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

This cocktail is a return to the original Cognac-based recipe for the French 75.
Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best, most balanced flavor.
Pour the sparkling wine slowly down the side of a tilted glass to preserve its effervescence.

Nutrition

ABV: Approximately 23% (will vary based on your Cognac and wine)
Calories: 200 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 125: The Sophisticated Cognac Version of the French 75

Why You’ll Love It