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Refreshing and classic, the French 75 cocktail has been around for more than 100 years. Which means it’s time to change it up! This Apple French 75 skips the apple cider, instead getting its fall flavor from apple cinnamon infused gin.
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French 75 cocktails have made a comeback in a big way. Left off bar menus for years, they're now front and center on bubbly cocktail menus and champagne brunches.
I love taking a classic cocktail - like the French 75 - and twisting it up as much as possible. There's still simple syrup - but let's make it with brown sugar. And of course there's still gin - but it's been infused with apples and cinnamon.
Any French 75 should be served super cold. Traditional recipes shake everything but the prosecco in a cocktail shaker full of ice, then double strain before adding the bubbly. But I’m lazy and prefer to skip that step.
Keep your lemons and brown sugar simple syrup in the refrigerator, and you can make this Apple French 75 right in the glass. (You can even take the extra step of keeping your gin in your freezer, if you want.)
This also keeps any water from being added to your drink via the ice, so you may want to add an extra splash of prosecco. I’ve upped the amount in this recipe by 1 oz over the traditional French 75 recipe for that reason.
Ingredients
- Brown sugar simple syrup - This 2 ingredient brown sugar simple syrup takes minutes to make and can be made up to 3 weeks ahead of when you plan to have your cocktails. Get the recipe and all the details over on my brown sugar simple syrup page.
- Apple cinnamon infused gin - This key ingredient takes a few days to infuse, but it's well worth planning ahead for it.
- Fresh lemon - Fresh lemon only for this cocktail. You'll need half a lemon (or less) per cocktail.
- Prosecco or Brut Champagne - Choose your favorite dry (not sweet) sparkling wine for this cocktail.
How to Make an Apple French 75
Chill the lemon juice and simple syrup. (I usually prep both of these in the morning and then pop them in the fridge so they’re ready for evening cocktails.)
Pour chilled lemon juice, brown sugar syrup, and the gin into a champagne flute or coupe glass.
Top with chilled prosecco.
Garnish with an apple wedge or curl of apple peel.
Enjoy!
What to serve with Apple French 75 Gin Cocktails
A quick, salty bite goes best with these fizzy gin cocktails. Try my slow cooker savory spiced nuts with rosemary or some bacon-wrapped dates. Both can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature.
FAQs and Substitutions
Fresh juice is important in this recipe. It’s one of only 4 ingredients, so take a minute to squeeze a fresh lemon. Be sure to roll your lemon on the counter while applying pressure with your palm before slicing into it. This will get the most juice possible out of your lemon.
Core and slice an apple. Place it in a mason jar. Add a cinnamon stick. Fill the jar with a neutral gin like Beefeater or Aviation. Put a lid on it and let it sit for 5-7 days. (Yes, really!), but REMOVE the cinnamon stick after day 2. Check out my full instructions on creating apple cinnamon gin over on this DIY Liquor Infusions post.
This cocktail needs a dry sparkling wine - any type of brut Champagne, dry cava or prosecco would be delicious. Make sure it’s well chilled before using it in your drink. Skip the moscato for this one. It’s too sweet.
Looking for more Sparkling Cocktail Recipes?
I love a good bubbly cocktail any always keep prosecco in the house just in case I'm in the mood for a fizzy drink.
I love this Sparkling Strawberry Elderflower cocktail made with sparkling rosé wine. Or try my Cranberry Mimosas with a sparkling sugar rim, perfect for the holidays or a fun Christmas brunch.
Want more French 75 Recipes?
A classic French 75 cocktail is always a good choice, but if you enjoy riffs on classic drinks, try my other take on this classic cocktail, a Blueberry French 75.
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Apple French 75 Gin Cocktail
Ingredients
- 0.5 oz lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 0.75 oz brown sugar simple syrup
- 1 oz apple cinnamon infused gin
- 4 oz prosecco well chilled
Instructions
- Chill the lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Pour the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a champagne flute or coupe glass.0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.75 oz brown sugar simple syrup, 1 oz apple cinnamon infused gin
- Top with chilled prosecco.4 oz prosecco
- Garnish with a small apple wedge or curl of lemon peel.
- Enjoy!
Nichole says
Just made these tonight after letting the gin infuse for a week. SO GOOD! It tastes just like sparkling spiced apple cider. French 75's are my favorite cocktail, but this might take the throne, for fall at least.
Katy McAvoy says
So glad you liked them, Nichole!! 🙂