Experience the refreshing and delightful taste of a French 77 cocktail. This recipe uses elderflower liqueur, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and bubbly champagne. This elegant drink is perfect for the holidays!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Frech 77 Cocktail Recipe
Looking for a festive cocktail? Try the French 77! It's a twist on the classic French 75, using elderflower liqueur instead of gin and simple syrup. I love to serve this drink for special events and during the holiday season alongside my Cranberry Aperol Spritz. Here are some more reasons why you will love this French 77 recipe:
- Just three simple ingredients! This classic cocktail is made of elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and champagne, that's it!
- No cocktail shaker is required. Making the drink is as easy as pouring it all into a champagne flute or coupe glass and serving.
- Refreshing, delicious, and elegant. The French 77 is the ideal signature cocktail for any occasion. Perfect for holidays such as New Year's Eve, Christmas, Valentine's Day, cocktail parties, and any special occasion.
French 77 Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this delicious French 77:
- St Germain elderflower liqueur: A French liqueur made with fresh elderflower. This sweet elderflower liqueur is often used in Hugo spritz and St Germain spritz. It has a delicate floral flavor, with notes of peach, pear, and grapefruit.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice gives this cocktail a vibrant refreshing flavor.
- Champagne (Sparkling Wine or Prosecco): The traditional sparkling wine for a French 75 and French 77 is champagne. But for more cost-effective options, you can use cava (Spanish sparkling wine) or Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine). Whichever sparkling white wine you choose, make sure it's brut (dry).
Find the printable recipe card with full instructions and measurements below.
How To Make A French 77 Cocktail
- Step 1: Elderflower liqueur. Pour the St Germain liqueur into a champagne glass.
- Step 2: Lemon juice. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Step 3: Champagne. Top with champagne.
- Step 4: Garnish. Add a twist of lemon and serve.
Serving Suggestions
The French 77 is a sophisticated early dinner or after-dinner drink to serve during the holidays or at a cocktail party. Here are some delicious pairing ideas:
- Appetizers: For an early evening pairing, enjoy a French 77 with honey-baked brie and crackers, lobster cakes, goat cheese bacon-wrapped dates, caviar and creme fraiche potato chips, gluten-free blackberry jam tarts with brie, scallops, or a shrimp cocktail.
- Desserts: For an after-dinner pairing, the French 77's floral notes pair well with citrus or chocolate desserts, like chocolate French truffles, chocolate lava cakes, chocolate brownie cookies, gluten-free lemon tart, gluten-free fruit tart, or limoncello cookies.
Expert Tips
- Keep everything chilled: For the most refreshing cocktail, I recommend chilling all the components of the French 77 (the elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and champagne) for several hours before assembling. You can even chill the champagne glasses.
- Garnish is recommended: Although technically optional, adding a simple lemon twist is easy to make and gives the drink a refreshing and polished look
- No need to stir: Whether you're making this drink in individual glasses or a large pitcher, stirring is not needed.
FAQ
1. Slice a ¼-inch ring from the thickest part of the lemon. Slice through the lemon peel and pulp.
2. Use a small paring knife to carefully slice around the lemon to separate the peel from the pith.
3. Trim the peel and twist it into a curl, holding it for several seconds until it holds its shape.
Champagne is the traditional choice, but other sparkling wines will work too, such as an Italian prosecco or Spanish cava. Just make sure the sparkling wine is a brut (dry).
The French 77 is a spin on the classic French 75 cocktail using elderflower liqueur, instead of gin. The drink's origins are unclear, but it's thought to have been created in 1915 at Harry's New York Bar in Paris by barman Harry MacElhone and is named after the French 75 mm field gun.
Serve the French 77 in a chilled champagne flute or coupe glasses.
More Cocktail Recipes You'll Love
I hope you love this French 77 recipe as much as I do! If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.
Recipe
French 77 Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, St. Germain, chilled
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice, (about ½ a tablespoon)
- 4 ounces champagne or dry brut sparkling wine, chilled
- lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Elderflower Liqueur & Lemon Juice. Pour 1 ounce of the St Germain liqueur and ¼ ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice into a champagne glass.
- Champagne. Top with 4 ounces of champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish. Add a twist of lemon and serve.
Comments
No Comments