5 Variations On The French 75

With New Year's Eve right around the corner, we know you're looking for some last minute champagne cocktail inspiration. So here's a thought: Why not do like so many of today's top bartenders and kick it old-school? Enter the French 75, a Prohibition-era cocktail with a lot of room for interpretation.

Named after a powerful piece of French WWI artillery, there has been long-standing debate as to whether the original incarnation was made with gin or cognac. But here's the beauty of mixing your own cocktails — you don't have to choose sides. Make both, and let the heated cocktail conversation begin. Or maybe someone prefers vokda? That's called a French 76. There are even alternatives for the brandy and the bourbon drinker (called the French 125 and French 95, respectively).

Of course, if you're looking to do something more creative than simply changing the base liquor, try one of the following five variations.

 

Blood Orange French 75

From The Daily Meal

Blood orange is a great flavor to incorporate into your holiday menu this year. Try it in this recipe to replace the traditional lemon juice.

 

Oregon Pear 75

From The Daily Meal

The addition of pear brandy gives this interpretation an extra-potent fruity bite.

 

Rose 75

From The Daily Meal

For something a touch more feminine, use a rosé Champagne to give the drink a light blush tone.

 

Sloe Soul 75

From The Independent

Sloe gin and Chambord get introduced in this slightly fruitier variation from celebrity mixologists, The Soul Shakers.