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If the classic, gin-based French 75 is a crisp, botanical toast to spring, the French 95 is its warmer, richer cousin, perfect for autumn and winter celebrations. This powerful and elegant cocktail makes one simple, brilliant substitution: it swaps the gin for bourbon.

The result is a wonderfully complex sparkling drink. The bright tartness of the lemon and the effervescence of the Champagne are still present, but they are now layered with the deep, warm notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak from the bourbon.

It’s a sophisticated, spirit-forward sipper that’s perfect for the holidays, New Year’s Eve, or any time you want a celebratory cocktail with a little more depth.

Why You’ll Love It

Richer Flavor Profile: Bourbon adds a dimension of warmth, spice, and sweetness that you won’t find in its gin or vodka-based siblings.
Surprisingly Refreshing: Despite its rich base, the lemon and bubbles keep this cocktail bright, crisp, and drinkable.
Perfect Holiday Cocktail: The warm notes of bourbon make this an ideal sparkling cocktail for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Elegant & Impressive: It’s a simple-to-make, three-ingredient base that looks (and tastes) incredibly sophisticated when topped with sparkling wine.

Ingredients

Ingredient	Single Cocktail (US)	Single Cocktail (Metric)	Pitcher (8 Cocktails)
Spirit
Bourbon	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 or Brandied Cherry	1	1	8

Ingredient Notes

Bourbon: A good, mid-range bourbon with a solid flavor profile is perfect here. A higher-rye bourbon can add a nice layer of spice, while a wheated bourbon will lean softer and sweeter.
Lemon Juice: As with all sours, freshly squeezed lemon juice is mandatory. The bright, acidic pop is essential for balance.
Simple Syrup: A standard 1:1 simple syrup provides the perfect balance to the tart lemon and strong bourbon. Feel free to adjust by a tiny amount to suit your personal taste.
Sparkling Wine: “Champagne” is the classic, but any high-quality dry (Brut) sparkling wine like Cava or Prosecco works beautifully.

Equipment Needed

Cocktail Shaker: To chill and dilute the bourbon base.
Jigger: For accurate measurements.
Strainer: A Hawthorne strainer for your shaker.
Champagne Flute: The traditional glass for this family of cocktails.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chill Your Glass: Place a Champagne flute in the freezer for at least 10 minutes. A well-chilled glass is crucial for keeping the cocktail effervescent and crisp.
Shake the Base: Add the bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
Shake Vigorously: Secure the lid and shake hard for 10-15 seconds. You want to chill the base thoroughly and add a small amount of dilution.
Strain: Strain the chilled bourbon mixture into your prepared Champagne flute. It should fill the glass about halfway.
Top with Bubbles: Slowly and gently top the cocktail with your chilled sparkling wine, pouring at an angle to preserve the bubbles and prevent it from foaming over.
Garnish: Express a lemon twist over the glass to release its fragrant oils, then drop it in. Alternatively, a high-quality brandied cherry makes a wonderful garnish that complements the bourbon’s fruit notes.

Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The French 95 offers a wonderful, complex aroma of bright lemon oils mingled with the sweet, vanilla-forward scent of bourbon.

The first sip is a delightful surprise: the bright, tart lemon hits first, but it’s immediately followed by the rich, warm flavors of caramel, oak, and baking spice from the bourbon. The sparkling wine lifts the entire drink, cutting through the richness and finishing clean, crisp, and effervescent.

Garnishing and Presentation

This cocktail is all about elegant presentation in a flute or coupe.

Glassware: A Champagne flute is the traditional choice, as it is designed to showcase the bubbles. A coupe glass also works and provides a classic, vintage feel.
Garnish: A lemon twist is the standard, as its oils add a bright aromatic layer. However, a brandied cherry (like a Luxardo) is an excellent alternative, as its dark fruit flavor is a natural partner for bourbon.

Cocktail History and Trivia

The French 95 is a direct descendant of the French 75. The original “75” was named after the 75mm field gun used by the French in World War I, a nod to the cocktail’s surprising potency.

The variations are named with simple, logical numerical progressions based on the artillery of the day. Swapping the base spirit to vodka created the French 76. When bourbon was used, it was named after the larger, more powerful 95mm Howitzer, creating the French 95.

Variations & Swaps

French 75 (The Original): Use 2 oz of London Dry Gin instead of bourbon.
French 76: Use 2 oz of Vodka for a cleaner, crisper version.
French 125: Use 2 oz of Cognac for a rich, fruity, and historically-accurate version of the original.
Maple 95: During the holidays, swap the simple syrup for an equal amount of pure maple syrup for an even warmer, more autumnal flavor.

Batching & Dilution

This is a fantastic cocktail to batch for a party, saving you from shaking drinks all night.

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

Serving Suggestions And Pairings

The French 95 is robust enough to be served year-round but truly shines during the cooler months and holidays. It’s an excellent apéritif to serve before Thanksgiving or a festive dinner.

Its rich profile pairs wonderfully with savory and salty appetizers. Think of a charcuterie board with aged cheeses and prosciutto, smoked salmon blinis, or bacon-wrapped dates.

Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes

It Foamed Over: You poured the sparkling wine too quickly. Always pour bubbly ingredients slowly and at an angle to prevent a foam-over.
Too Strong or Too Sweet: The 2:0.75:0.5 ratio is a modern, balanced, spirit-forward build. If you find it too strong, you can reduce the bourbon to 1.5 oz. If you prefer a sweeter drink, increase the simple syrup to 0.75 oz.
Don’t Shake the Bubbles: It must be said: Never put the sparkling wine into the cocktail shaker. It will explode and make a mess. The bubbles are always the last ingredient, added directly to the glass.

FAQs

What’s the difference between a French 75, 76, and 95?

It’s all about the base spirit:

French 75: Gin
French 76: Vodka
French 95: Bourbon

What kind of bourbon is best for a French 95?

A good mid-range, all-purpose bourbon is perfect. You don’t need your most expensive bottle, but a bourbon with a balanced profile (like Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, or a high-rye bourbon like Rittenhouse) will stand up well to the lemon and bubbles.

Can I use a different glass?

Yes. If you don’t have Champagne flutes, a coupe glass is an excellent and equally elegant alternative. In a pinch, a simple wine glass will also work.

French 95 Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

2 oz (60 ml) Bourbon
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 or Brandied Cherry

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the bourbon, 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.
Garnish with a lemon twist (expressed over the glass first) or a brandied cherry. Serve immediately.

Notes

This cocktail is a variation of the French 75, using bourbon instead of gin.
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 24% (will vary based on your bourbon and wine)
Calories: 210 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 95 Cocktail: Bourbon Meets Bubbles in Style

Why You’ll Love It