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French 77 Cocktail

Name: French 77 Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Ingredients: .75 oz Lemon Juice; .75 oz Sugar Syrup; 1.5 oz Gin (or); 1.5 oz Congnac; 1 oz Champagne

The French 77 Cocktail is a bright, effervescent drink that hits the sweet spot between a celebratory bubbly and a well-balanced sour. Using either gin or cognac, it offers versatility while maintaining a crisp, refreshing profile. It’s a solid choice for brunch, a pre-dinner aperitif, or any occasion where you want something sophisticated but easy to drink. Bartenders often suggest it for those looking for a lighter, sparkling option with a bit more character than a simple mimosa.

French 77 Cocktail Recipe

4.50 from 46 votes

Calories: 196kcal

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes minutes

Whether you prefer cognac or gin, this classic cocktail is for you. You might also like to check out some of these Champagne cocktails.

Ingredients

▢ .75 oz Lemon Juice
▢ .75 oz Sugar Syrup
▢ 1.5 oz Gin or
▢ 1.5 oz Congnac
▢ 1 oz Champagne

Instructions

Combine Ingredients:

▢
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 0.75 oz lemon juice, 0.75 oz sugar syrup, and 1.5 oz gin or cognac.

Shake:

▢
Shake well to mix and chill the ingredients.

Strain:

▢
Strain the mixture into a champagne glass.

Top with Champagne:

▢
Top with 1 oz champagne.

Garnish:

▢
Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Serve:

▢
Serve immediately and enjoy your French 77 Cocktail.

Notes

For the best French 77 Cocktail, use fresh lemon juice and high-quality gin or cognac to ensure a smooth and refreshing flavor. Adjust the amount of sugar syrup to suit your taste for a more or less sweet drink. The champagne adds a delightful effervescence that complements the citrusy and rich flavors of the cocktail.

This cocktail is perfect for any celebration or sophisticated gathering, offering a classic and elegant drink that will impress your guests. Its refreshing taste and simple preparation make it a favorite choice for many.

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Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 196kcal (10%)Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)Potassium: 58mg (2%)Sugar: 13g (14%)Vitamin C: 14mg (17%)Iron: 0.2mg (1%)

CourseCourse: Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks

CuisineCuisine: Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks

KeywordKeyword: Beverage Recipe, Cocktail Recipe, Drink Recipe

Where it came from

The French 77 is a modern take on the classic French 75. While the 75’s origins are rooted in World War I Paris, the 77 emerged later as a popular variation. This particular recipe for the French 77, using gin or cognac, is essentially the same as the original French 75, suggesting a contemporary re-naming or a regional interpretation rather than a distinct historical creation.

This cocktail sits squarely within the Champagne cocktail family, a direct descendant of the French 75. Other relatives include the Bellini, Mimosa, and Kir Royale. What separates this specific French 77 from those is its classic sour build of spirit, citrus, and sweetener, all brightened by effervescent dry sparkling wine. It’s a structured drink, not just a simple mix.

You’d typically find this drink in a respectable cocktail bar, often featured on a brunch menu, or at a garden party or celebratory gathering. It’s a popular choice for a sophisticated toast or when you want something sparkling that offers more complexity than just a glass of Champagne. It’s a reliable crowd-pleaser for those who appreciate a balanced, refreshing drink.

What it tastes like

The French 77 hits with a bright, tart lemon front, quickly balanced by the sweetness of the sugar syrup. The chosen spirit, either botanical gin or fruity cognac, provides a clear backbone before the Champagne washes it all down with effervescent dryness, leaving a clean, refreshing finish. It’s a classic sour profile brightened by bubbles, with a crisp and zesty character.

Using standard 40% ABV gin or cognac and 12% ABV Champagne, this drink comes in at around 18% alcohol by volume. This makes the French 77 a medium-strength cocktail, roughly equivalent to a double shot of a standard spirit, but diluted and softened by the citrus and bubbles. It’s stronger than a beer but lighter than a neat spirit, designed for enjoyable sipping.

The technique

Building this drink is straightforward. Combine the lemon juice, sugar syrup, and your preferred spirit in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Give it a good, hard shake to ensure everything is well chilled and properly diluted. Strain the mixture into a pre-chilled Champagne flute or coupe. Finally, top it with cold Champagne, being careful not to overfill and preserve the fizz.

The most crucial technique tip for any Champagne cocktail is to ensure your sparkling wine is properly chilled and your glassware is cold. A well-chilled glass maintains the drink’s temperature and, more importantly, helps preserve the Champagne’s delicate effervescence. Pouring cold liquid into a warm glass will quickly flatten your bubbles and dull the drink’s vibrancy.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Gin (or Cognac)

Use: For gin, a crisp, juniper-forward London Dry like Tanqueray or Beefeater works well. If using cognac, a VS or VSOP such as Hennessy VS or Remy Martin VSOP provides a good base without being too overpowering.
Skip: Avoid heavily botanical or barrel-aged gins that will clash with the simple sour profile. For cognac, don’t use anything too old or complex; its nuances will be lost once mixed.
Why: This spirit provides the core alcoholic backbone and primary flavor character. It’s what gives the drink its depth beyond just sparkling lemonade, anchoring the citrus and sugar.

Champagne

Use: A dry Brut Champagne is ideal for its crispness and balance. For budget-friendly alternatives, a dry Cava or Prosecco can also work, but ensure they are truly dry to avoid making the drink overly sweet.
Skip: Sweet sparkling wines like Asti Spumante or any demi-sec options will throw off the drink’s intended balance. Flat Champagne is also a deal-breaker; the effervescence is half the point of the cocktail.
Why: The Champagne provides the essential effervescence and a crucial dry, crisp finish that brightens the entire drink. It adds texture and a celebratory feel, transforming a simple sour into a sophisticated cocktail.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

French 75

The classic original: This is essentially the same recipe, using gin or cognac, lemon, simple syrup, and Champagne. It’s the historical predecessor to the French 77.

French 77 (Elderflower)

A floral twist: A common variation that replaces the gin or cognac with elderflower liqueur, offering a sweet, aromatic, and distinctly floral profile.

French 76

Vodka’s crisp neutrality: Swaps the gin or cognac for vodka, offering a cleaner, less botanical or fruity spirit base for those who prefer neutrality.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No Gin/Cognac?

Use vodka for a cleaner profile, or a light rum for a subtly sweeter, cane-based character. The flavor will shift, but the structure remains.

No Champagne?

A dry Cava or Prosecco are acceptable substitutes. They won’t have the same nuanced depth but will provide the necessary bubbles and dryness.

No Lemon Juice?

Fresh lime juice is the closest substitute, offering a similar tartness with a slightly different aromatic profile. Adjust sweetness as needed.

No Sugar Syrup?

You can make your own simple syrup with equal parts sugar and hot water. Alternatively, a dash of agave nectar or maple syrup can work, but adjust quantities to taste.

No Champagne glass?

A coupe glass is an excellent alternative. A white wine glass can also work in a pinch, though it might not retain bubbles as effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a French 77 Cocktail?

This French 77 Cocktail recipe contains gin or cognac, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, and Champagne.

Is the French 77 a strong drink?

At approximately 18% ABV, the French 77 is a medium-strength cocktail. It’s stronger than a standard beer but lighter than a neat spirit, making it an enjoyable and balanced drink.

What’s the difference between a French 75 and a French 77?

The classic French 75 uses gin (or cognac), lemon, sugar, and Champagne. This French 77 recipe follows that exact profile. However, many bartenders also refer to a French 77 as a variation that swaps the gin or cognac for elderflower liqueur, creating a distinct floral drink.

What type of Champagne should I use?

A dry Brut Champagne is best for its crispness and balance. If Champagne isn’t available, a dry Cava or Prosecco are good sparkling wine alternatives.

Can I make a French 77 ahead of time?

You can pre-batch the gin/cognac, lemon juice, and sugar syrup mixture and keep it chilled. Add the Champagne just before serving to ensure maximum effervescence.

What garnish works best for a French 77?

A simple twist of lemon peel is the classic and most complementary garnish for this drink. It adds an aromatic citrus note without overpowering the cocktail.

Is French 77 sweet or tart?

The French 77 is designed to be a balanced drink. It has a bright tartness from the lemon, which is mellowed by the sweetness of the sugar syrup, all brightened by the dry sparkling wine for a refreshing finish.

Why is it called French 77?

The ‘French’ part refers to the use of Champagne. The ’77’ is a modern designation, likely a playful and numerical nod to the French 75, which was named after a French field gun.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read

Cocktail, 200-300 Calories, 7, 7 Shots, Champagne, Elderflower Liqueur, F, F Cocktails, Lemon Juice, Photo, SEO, Video, Yellow Colour

French 77 Cocktail

French 77 Cocktail

French 77 Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine Ingredients:

Shake:

Strain:

Top with Champagne:

Garnish:

Serve:

Notes

Estimated Nutrition:

Where it came from

What it tastes like

The technique

Tell us what's in your cabinet.

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Ingredient Spotlight

Gin (or Cognac)

Champagne

Three Variations

French 75

French 77 (Elderflower)

French 76

What if I don't have…

Frequently Asked Questions

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