French 125Cocktail recipe
Rating
The French 125 is a sophisticated twist on the classic French 75, substituting cognac for gin to add depth and warmth. This elegant cocktail combines cognac, fresh lemon juice, and sugar, topped with champagne for a celebratory effervescence.
It’s a refined choice for those seeking a luxurious and flavorful experience.
Microbadges
Tags
Wine glass
Ingredients
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
The French 125 elegantly swaps out gin for cognac, offering a rich depth and warmth that beautifully complements the zesty brightness of lemon juice and the subtle sweetness of sugar syrup; the champagne effervescence adds a lively sparkle, making it a luxurious and festive drink perfect for those who cherish refined flavors.
Method
How to make a French 125
-
- Shake cognac, lemon juice, and sugar syrup with ice
-
- Strain into a chilled champagne flute
-
- Top with champagne and gently stir
-
- Garnish with a lemon twist
Power tips
Elevate the French 125 with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- To enhance the citrus aroma and flavor, express the oils of a lemon peel over the top of the cocktail before serving. Run the peel around the rim to further enhance the drink's aroma before garnishing with it.
- Use a high-quality Champagne or Prosecco with a pronounced acidity and crispness. This will balance the richness of the cognac and help highlight the cocktail’s sophistication.
- Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the history of the French 125 cocktail?
The French 125 is a sophisticated twist on the classic French 75, which itself dates back to World War I and was named after the powerful French 75mm field gun. The French 125, however, substitutes cognac in place of the gin used in the original French 75 recipe. This substitution adds a layer of depth and warmth, creating a more luxurious and robust drink. The use of cognac combined with lemon juice, sugar, and champagne reflects its French origin and the country's rich history in both champagne and cognac production. This cocktail embodies a celebratory spirit, perfect for moments that call for refinement and elegance.
Can I substitute any ingredients in a French 125?
Yes, there are several substitutions you can make when preparing a French 125 without losing its essential character. While cognac is traditional, brandy can be used as an alternative if you're looking for a more cost-effective or slightly different taste profile. For a lighter or less sweet version, you may reduce the sugar syrup to your liking or use a sugar substitute if dietary restrictions are a concern. Additionally, while the cocktail typically calls for champagne, prosecco or cava can be great substitutions, offering a similar effervescent quality. Each of these modifications offers a way to tailor the French 125 to personal taste preferences or available ingredients without straying too far from the essence of the drink.
What are some garnishing ideas for a French 125?
Garnishing your French 125 not only enhances its visual appeal but can also add a hint of additional flavor and aroma. A classic garnish option is a lemon twist or a thin slice of lemon on the rim of the glass, which complements the fresh lemon juice used in the cocktail. For a more visually striking appearance, consider using edible gold leaf or a sprig of fresh thyme, which can add an aromatic quality to the drinking experience. If you're looking to infuse subtle additional flavors, dropping a raspberry or two into the glass can provide a sweet counterpart to the citrus notes. Whichever garnish you choose, it should enhance the festive and elegant nature of this drink.
What occasions are ideal for serving a French 125?
The French 125 is a drink that exudes class and celebration, making it an ideal choice for special occasions. Its luxurious blend of cognac, lemon, and champagne makes it suitable for festive gatherings, such as weddings, New Year's Eve parties, or anniversary dinners. It's also an excellent choice for cocktail hours or any event where a touch of elegance is desired. The effervescent nature of the champagne adds a delightful sparkle that resonates well with celebrations or moments that call for a toast. Serving this cocktail can elevate the sophistication level of an event and impress guests with its rich and complex flavors.
How does the alcohol content of a French 125 compare to other cocktails?
The French 125 has an alcohol content of approximately 15%, which places it on the lower to mid-range side compared to many classic cocktails. For example, a martini or a Manhattan can range between 25-30% alcohol by volume. The relatively moderate alcohol content of the French 125 makes it a more approachable choice for those who prefer a drink that's not overwhelmingly strong. This is largely due to the combination of champagne, which dilutes the potent mix of cognac, lemon juice, and sugar syrup, creating a drink that is both refreshing and flavorful without being too overpowering. For those mindful of alcohol intake, the French 125 offers a balanced option that retains its sophisticated flavor.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées cocktail is a sophisticated and classic French-inspired drink that embodies the elegance of its namesake avenue in Paris....
Tiger’s Milk
Tiger’s Milk is a rich and indulgent cocktail that delivers a creamy flavor profile through a harmonious blend of Cognac,...
Scorpion
The Scorpion cocktail is a tantalizing blend that creates a harmonious balance between the sweet and citrus notes, making it...
East India No.2
The East India No.2 cocktail is a delectable blend of flavors that's perfect for those who appreciate a sophisticated and...
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Comments
No comments yet…
You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register