A French 75 cocktail is about as classy as it gets.  The bubbly cocktail is a timeless drink.  It dates back to around World War I.  The name apparently comes from the 75mm M1897 artillery gun used by the French military.

The J-Bar at Hotel Jerome is legendary.  The bar and hotel have been a favorite of socialites to cowboys since 1889.  If you belly up to the bar, ask the bartender to show you the draw where bartenders have signed over the years.

Leah Strap was bartending in the J-Bar when I stopped in and she served up her award-winning French 75.  She does a little twist on the classic and it’s fabulous!

Impress your friends with this refreshing cocktail.  You might just get swept away to an era gone by.

J-Bar’s French 75

1.5 oz.       Gin

.5 oz.         Lemon Juice

.5 oz          Grapefruit Juice

.5 oz          Simple syrup (lavender honey simple syrup is the secret)

2 dashes  Orange Bitters

Shake and strain into Champagne flute.  Top off with Dry Brut Champagne.  Can garnish with a lemon twist if desired.