Over the Christmas and New Year period we welcome six guest posts from cocktail columnist, London bar reviewer & blogger The Barfly. His festive series began with Mulled Wine, moved on to classic Eggnog, and The Champagne Cocktail, now it's The French 75…
My favorite way to jazz up my New Year’s fizz is with a French 75. Invented by Harry MacElhone of the fabled Parisian watering hole Harry’s Bar in 1915, and first recorded here in London in The Savoy Cocktail Book, it is rumoured to have been named for the French artillery’s big gun the Howitzer 75mm – the effect of too many being akin to that of having been heavily shelled.
Which brings us, as drinkies so often do, to the Savoy’s Harry Craddock and his reply to the question “What’s the best way to drink a cocktail.”
“Quickly,” was his answer, “while it’s still laughing at you.”
You have been warned.
You Will Need:
• 2 oz. Gin
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Champagne
Glass: Collins or highball
Method: Shake everything but the champagne with ice and strain into the iced glass. Top up with bubbly. Garnish with a twist of lemon.
Tomorrow… The Corpse Reviver & the Rob Roy A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
