French "75"

The French 75 is a nod to the 75-millimeter M1897, which was the bread and butter of the French military during World War One. Widely regarded as the first modern piece of artillery, these canons could wreak havoc on a large scale in a very short period of time. The same can be said for this cocktail – especially some of the older recipes, which really pour on the gin. Some older versions also strain the base mixture into a Collins glass over cracked ice before adding the champagne, but opting for a flute with no ice will keep it from getting too watered down. This cocktail is a great blend of floral and herbaceous gin with bright, citrusy lemon, and stays pretty light on the palate. If you're looking for a richer, darker flavor profile, try using brandy or cognac in place of the gin.