California 75
Light, lemony, and bubbly, the California 75 is a refreshing cocktail! It's a SoCal twist on the classic champagne cocktail, the French 75.
Champagne versus Sparkling Wine
Do you know the difference? For many years, I thought champagne meant all bubbly wines. But I was wrong!
Technically, to be called champagne, a wine must come from the Champagne region of France and be produced in the traditional method. This requires two fermentations, the first one in a tank or barrel, and the second in the bottle itself. After the wine ages in the bottle, the removal of sediment and the insertion of the final cork happen. These time-honored processes have been in place for centuries and are labor-intensive.
Similar methods are used to produce sparkling wine, but outside of the Champagne region. Asti, cava, crémant, and prosecco are some of the names of sparkling wines, depending on country of origin. There was a time when California wine producers labeled their bubblies, "California Champagne." But a 2005 EU trade agreement put an end to any new wineries using the name California Champagne while allowing those already in production to continue using it.
Regardless of the name, I enjoy a glass of bubbly, and not just for special occasions! Its light and crisp flavor is the perfect accompaniment to appetizers, Green Goddess Chicken Cobb salad, salty snacks (yes, I'm talking about potato chips!), Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil, and even sushi.
It's also great with a bistro-inspired meal and French film!
French 75 versus California 75
So, let's talk about these champagne cocktails. The French 75 is an old-school classic concocted over 100 years ago at Harry's Bar in Paris. The drink combined gin, lemon juice, and sugar, shaken together and topped with champagne. The effect after drinking it was supposedly like being hit with a French 75mm field gun, the kind used in World War I.
There are many riffs and variations of the French 75, most notably the California 75, a more citrus-forward version that includes California lemon juice and vermouth instead of gin. I like that this cocktail is so simple to put together and so easy to sip!
California 75
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
Light, lemony, and bubbly! This easy-to-make and easy-to-sip cocktail is a riff on the old-school classic champagne cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 5 ounces champagne or sparkling wine
- Garnish: lemon twist
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Tip the dry vermouth, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add two or three ice cubes, cover and shake until cold, about 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled flute or coupe. Top with champagne and garnish with lemon twist.
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