The French Elderflower 75 cocktail is a fresh twist on the classic French 75. It uses elderflower liqueur for a floral, slightly sweet flavor.

This recipe shows you how to make a simple and elegant drink that is perfect for celebrations or relaxing evenings. I like how the elderflower adds something new without making the cocktail hard to prepare.

If you’re looking for a drink that’s easy yet impressive, the French Elderflower 75 is a great choice. With just a few ingredients and basic bar tools, you can create this sparkling cocktail at home.

French Elderflower 75 Cocktail Recipe

This French Elderflower 75 blends the crispness of gin, the sweetness of elderflower liqueur, and the bubbles of sparkling wine. I find that having the right tools and using fresh ingredients make the difference in both flavor and presentation.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Cocktail shaker: I use this to properly mix the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
Jigger or measuring spoons: This helps me measure each liquid for accuracy.
Fine mesh strainer: I use it to strain out any ice or pulp and keep the drink smooth.

Champagne flute or coupe glass: This cocktail feels more elegant served in the right glass.
Bar spoon: It comes in handy for gently mixing in the sparkling wine.
Citrus juicer: Squeezing fresh lemon juice is easier and gives better flavor with this tool.

Ice cubes: Essential for chilling the ingredients before serving.

Ingredients

1 oz gin: I prefer a classic London Dry gin for a crisp base.
0.5 oz elderflower liqueur such as St-Germain: This brings sweet, floral notes to the cocktail.

0.5 oz fresh lemon juice: I always squeeze lemons fresh for the best taste.
2-3 oz chilled sparkling wine: Brings bubbles and a light finish—dry Champagne or a good Cava or Prosecco works.
Lemon twist or edible flower for garnish: These add a touch of color and aroma.

Ice cubes: Needed to chill the drink before straining.

Instructions

Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.

Shake well for about 10-15 seconds to chill and mix the liquids.
Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute or coupe glass using a fine mesh strainer.
Gently top with chilled sparkling wine, pouring slowly to keep the bubbles.

Stir very gently with a bar spoon to mix (do not over-stir to avoid losing effervescence).
Garnish with a lemon twist or an edible flower, then serve immediately.

Notes

I always use fresh lemon juice, as bottled juice changes the flavor. The type of gin matters—some floral gins make the drink smoother, while strong juniper gins give more bite.

I chill my sparkling wine before using it, so the cocktail stays cold and tastes crisp. I avoid pre-mixing this drink, since sparkling wine loses bubbles after a while.

Using a fine mesh strainer helps keep the drink clear. For a sweeter drink, a bit more elderflower liqueur can be added.

I also avoid overfilling the glass when topping with sparkling wine, so the bubbles don’t overflow.

Tasting Notes

When I first taste the French Elderflower 75, I notice its gentle floral aroma. The scent from the elderflower liqueur stands out right away.

The drink brings a balanced combination of sweet, tart, and bubbly flavors. The lemon juice adds a crisp freshness, while the gin offers a subtle herbal undertone.

The Champagne or sparkling wine gives the cocktail a lively fizz. I find it makes each sip bright and refreshing, not heavy.

If I let the drink sit for a moment, the flavors blend even more, and the floral sweetness becomes smoother.

Here’s what I experience most:

First sip: Sweet floral, light bubbles, citrusy tang

Mid-palate: Balanced sweetness and tartness
Finish: Clean, refreshing, and slightly dry

Substitute

Sometimes I just can’t find elderflower liqueur, or maybe I feel like trying a new twist. There are a few easy swaps that work pretty well in this cocktail.

Here are some options I use:

Lemon liqueur (like Limoncello)
It brings in a citrusy note and keeps things bright.
Orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or triple sec)
This one’s got a different kind of sweetness—sort of playful.

Homemade elderflower syrup
I usually mix it with a bit more gin to get closer to the liqueur’s strength.

If I don’t have gin,

I just go with vodka for a lighter taste. Not exactly the same, but it works.

If fresh lemon juice isn’t available,

Bottled lemon juice is okay in a pinch. I usually use a bit less since it’s got more punch.

Honestly, I just taste as I go and tweak things to my liking. The substitutes definitely shake up the flavor, but hey, the drink still turns out fun.

French Elderflower 75 Cocktail Recipe