Light, elegant and über-refreshing, the French 75 is the classic cocktail you should be sipping all Spring and Summer.

As cocktails go, I love me a boozy fizzy lifting drink, and few are as classic as the French 75. Like all classic cocktails, it’s history is mired in murk and hearsay, but most people agree that it was likely invented in its current iteration 1927, at the height of Prohibition.

According to Liquor.com, though, the drink may have roots as far back as 1867, when Charles Dickens would sip a drink called the Champagne cup with a boost of Tom gin. And of course, nothing is new under the sun: adding gin to bubbly (plus citrus and sugar) ain’t really all that creative, but it sure as hell is delicious! 

Above is a video I made with my colleague on one of those blue-sky spring days that just needed an extra pep only a cocktail could provide. The classic recipe calls for traditional Champagne, but any sparkling wine will do. Personally, I love the crisp, citrus-driven flavors of Cava, which incidentally, doesn’t break the bank.

French 75 (makes 2)

3 ounces Gin
2 ounces simple syrup
Juice of ½ lemon, reserving 2 lemon twists or peels for garnish
Sparkling wine, to top

In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, simple syrup and lemon. Top with ice and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Divide the mixture into two coupe glasses, preferably chilled.

Top each glass with the sparkling wine.

Add the lemon twists, clink your glasses and enjoy.