The classic French 75 blends fresh lemon juice and simple syrup with gin and sparkling wine for a bright, effervescent cocktail. In this seasonal variation, sour cherry syrup replaces simple syrup to give the drink a delicate blush and a layered fruit-and-floral character.
Why we love this recipe
This isn’t meant to replace the original French 75—there’s a reason the classic is timeless—but the sour cherry syrup brings a seasonal twist that complements the lemon perfectly. The syrup adds a rosy hue and a subtle tartness, along with floral and fruit notes that round out the gin and sparkling wine.
This recipe first appeared here in 2016 and has been clarified and adjusted slightly since then for easier preparation and consistent results.
What you’ll need
Quick overview of the ingredients for this Sour Cherry French 75.
- A good London dry gin provides an herbal, slightly astringent base. Use your favorite brand.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice supplies the bright, acidic backbone of the drink.
- Sour cherry syrup replaces simple syrup to add a tart, fruity, and floral dimension. You can make it at home or use a quality store-bought version.
- Champagne or another dry sparkling wine to top the cocktail and add effervescence.
- Garnish with homemade maraschino cherries or a lemon twist, depending on your preference.
How to make it
Follow these simple steps to build the cocktail. The method keeps the drink bright and well-balanced.
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and sour cherry syrup.
- Shake vigorously until very cold, then strain into a chilled champagne flute or coupe glass.
- Top with chilled Champagne or sparkling wine.
- Garnish with maraschino cherries or a lemon twist and serve immediately.
Expert tips and FAQs
Common tart varieties include Montmorency and Morello. Either works well in syrup for this cocktail.
Yes. For a large pitcher: combine 24 ounces gin, 8 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice, 8 ounces sour cherry syrup, and 1/2 cup water in a pitcher or punch bowl. Chill until very cold. Right before serving, add chilled Champagne and stir gently. This yields roughly 12 drinks per 24-ounce bottle of sparkling wine; halve the amounts for fewer servings.
More favorite sour cherry recipes
- Shirley Temples
- Sour cherry cornbread muffins
- Sour cherry crisp
- Sour cherry cake
- Sour cherry frozen yogurt
- Domenica Marchetti’s sour cherry pie recipe
Sour Cherry French 75
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Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce sour cherry syrup
- 2 ounces Champagne
- 3 homemade maraschino cherries
- or 1 lemon twist, to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add gin, lemon juice, and sour cherry syrup, and shake very well.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled champagne flute or coupe and top with Champagne.
- Garnish with the cherries or a lemon twist and serve.
Notes
- If you don’t want to make sour cherry syrup, a quality store-bought syrup is a convenient alternative.
- To batch for a party: combine 24 ounces gin, 8 ounces fresh lemon juice, 8 ounces sour cherry syrup, and 1/2 cup water in a large pitcher. Chill until very cold, then add chilled Champagne just before serving.
This recipe was first posted in 2016 and has been refined for clarity and consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.
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