This bubbly, bourbon-based French 95 is the perfect twist on the popular French 75 cocktail recipe with a bourbon kick. It is quite the treat that bourbon lovers everywhere will enjoy. Plus, it only takes a few minutes and simple ingredients to make.
French 75s are one of my favorite cocktails. If you are looking for other variations of the French 75, you should also check out my color changing Empress Gin French 75. It has a beautiful purple hue that changes color with the addition of lemon juice, which is such a fun party trick!
Also, my Champagne Jello Shots are basically a French 76 (which is another close cousin of the French 75 that swaps vodka in place of classic gin) in jello form.
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Why you’ll love this recipe
Simple ingredients and instructions – You don’t need to be a seasoned mixologist or buy crazy, obscure ingredients.
Unique flavor – The unique oaky flavor of bourbon whiskey gives a completely different flavor profile than the traditional use of gin.
Versatility – This drink goes just as well as a weeknight after-work drink to wind down the evening as much as it does for holidays and celebrations. French 95s make great cocktails for New Year’s, birthdays, anniversaries, and so much more thanks to the drink’s celebratory nature.
What is a French 95?
A French 95 is a simple twist on the classic cocktail, the French 75. French 75’s are customarily a gin-based cocktail that includes other ingredients like lemon juice, a touch of simple syrup, and champagne. French 95s use bourbon as the base spirit in place of gin.
One reviewer who rated this cocktail 5 stars mentioned in their comments that the addition of the bourbon has almost a sparkling, hard apple cider flavor. (Note: this recipe was originally published in December 2022.) I couldn’t agree more with this review! The bourbon’s smooth oaky flavor with notes of baking spices and caramel balances perfectly with sour lemon and effervescent champagne.
For those that aren’t super familiar with bourbon, it is a type of American whiskey made with corn and aged in oak barrels. If you’re new to exploring bourbon whiskey cocktails, you’ll also want to try my Peach Smash Bourbon Cocktail.
Ingredient Notes
Bourbon – Choose your favorite bourbon. I went with a local Charleston bourbon from Cannon Distillery – which you should definitely check out if you ever vacation in this area!
Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice is always best in cocktails over bottled.
Simple syrup – You can buy simple syrup, but like its name implies, it’s incredibly simple to make homemade simple syrup. You just have to heat equal parts sugar and water in the stove or microwave until the sugar dissolves. You’ll need to allow it to cool completely before you use it. You can store leftover simple syrup in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Champagne or prosecco – French champagne is traditional to this family of cocktails. However, real champagne can be costly and has a more complex flavor profile that can be covered up when used in cocktails. I prefer to save champagne for drinking by itself and using a sparkling wine, like prosecco or cava, in wine cocktails.
Garnish – This is optional, but you can garnish with a fresh or dried citrus wheel. A lemon or orange twist or even lemon wedges would work well as a garnish as well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Steps 1-2: Add the bourbon and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
Step 3: Add the simple syrup. Then, add ice cubes and shake until well chilled.
Step 4: Strain into a cocktail glass, like a champagne coupe.
Step 5: Top with champagne or sparkling wine.
Step 6 (optional): Garnish with fresh or dried citrus wheel, if desired.
Expert Tips
Use a high-quality bourbon since this drink has a very spirit-forward flavor profile. This means your cocktail will taste as good as the quality of your bourbon choice.
To balance the cocktail’s the hint of sweetness by using a brut or dry Champagne or sparkling wine.
If you have trouble with citrus fruits going bad too quickly, make a habit of freezing leftover fresh citrus juice into ice cube trays so you always have some on hand. After the juice is frozen in the tray, pop the cubes out and store them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
For an extra touch of sweetness, increase the syrup amount or add a splash of orange juice.
FAQ
What is the difference between a French 75 and French 95?
There is an overlap of most components of each drink. The major difference is that a French 75 is made with gin and a French 95 is the original’s bourbon rendition. You can also use whiskey as well. (Bourbon is just one type of American whiskey.)
Why do they call it a French 75 (or a French 95)?
A French 75 is a classic cocktail named after the 75mm used in the WWI era by the French military because the drink packed quite the punch. French 95’s just like the original cocktail pack just as much of a kick.
What kind of bourbon is best for this drink?
The best bourbon brands are going to be the ones that YOU like to drink the most. I like to go for local bourbon brands, if possible. Good brands that are widely available include Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve, and Bulleit Bourbon.
What is the best type of cocktail glass for this drink?
Given it is a sparkling cocktail, I recommend a coupe glass (like I used) or a champagne flute.
Does simple syrup go bad?
Yes, it does eventually go bad, but it comes down to how you store it. Keep any leftover simple syrup in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks in the fridge. If it turns cloudy before that, that’s an indication that has gone bad and needs to be thrown away.
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📖 Recipe
French 95 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce bourbon
- ¾ ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 3-4 ounces prosecco (Dry sparkling wine or Champagne)
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass and top with prosecco.
Notes
- Use a high-quality bourbon since this drink has a very spirit-forward flavor profile.
- Balance the sweetness by using a brut or dry sparkling wine or Champagne.
- Make your own simple syrup by combining equal parts sugar and water on the stovetop or in the microwave until the sugar dissolves. Allow it to cool completely before use. Leftover syrup can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks in the fridge.
Nutrition
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CH
Loved this cocktail so much! Love bourbon and love a French 75 so it’s perfect
DJ
Really good! I love whiskey sours and this is similar to that while adding Prosecco. Has a smooth apple cider type of taste. Loved it – thanks for sharing!
Melissa
Yes! Totally agree about the cider taste! Very glad you enjoyed it 🙂