Lilac French 75
Introduction
The Lilac French 75 is a captivating spring twist on the classic French 75. It weaves the refined effervescence of champagne with gin’s herbal complexity, augmented by delicate floral notes of lilac syrup. The result is an intoxicating cocktail that’s elegant, light, and visually stunning—a centerpiece at any brunch or celebration.
Why choose this drink? It offers unique flavor complexity, balancing citrus and floral accents with the refreshing, bubbly finish that makes the original French 75 a timeless favorite. Your guests will be delighted by its fragrance, color, and refreshing taste.
A Blossom-Infused Take on a Classic
By using house-made lilac syrup, the Lilac French 75 celebrates the fleeting beauty of spring. Lilac imparts a gentle, aromatic sweetness that complements botanical gin and bright lemon juice perfectly. This cocktail is not only exceptionally pretty in the glass, but also boasts a flavor profile that is refreshing, nuanced, and slightly exotic—a surefire crowd-pleaser for special gatherings.
How to Make Lilac Syrup for Your Cocktail
To create authentic lilac flavor, you’ll want a vibrant, well-strained syrup. Use fresh, unsprayed lilac petals for the most aromatic and flavorful result. Combine equal parts sugar and water, bring to a simmer, then pour over fresh lilac petals. Steep, strain, and cool before using.
For precise measurements and consistent results, a digital scale like the Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Black and Stainless Steel is an invaluable tool for syrup making.
Crafting the Perfect Lilac French 75
Mixing this cocktail requires a firm shake to integrate the gin, lemon juice, and lilac syrup before topping with sparkling wine. For best results, use a blender like the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black to create a silky-smooth cocktail base—especially helpful if you’re scaling up for a crowd.
Once shaken, strain into a champagne flute. Top with chilled champagne or sparkling wine, and garnish with a twist of lemon or edible lilac blossoms for a showstopping effect.
Serving and Presenting Your Lilac French 75
Presentation elevates this drink’s appeal—chilled flutes and delicate lilac or lemon garnishes make for striking visuals. If you’re serving at a party, protect surfaces with an elegant table covering such as the Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable 10 Pack, White, ensuring easy clean-up without sacrificing style.
For perfect party pours and swift ingredient prep, keep a KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears with Protective Sheath, Black handy for trimming lemon twists and prepping floral garnishes.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
Each Lilac French 75 contains approximately 130–150 calories per serving, depending on the gin and syrup measurements. The recipe below yields 2 servings—ideal for a sophisticated toast or a romantic evening.
Ingredients
Instructions
- To make the lilac syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add lilac blossoms, and cover. Allow to steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a glass jar, discarding the petals. Let cool completely before use. For even, clean straining, use a measuring cup placed on your counter, such as the Homaxy 100% Cotton Waffle Weave Kitchen Dish Cloths, 6-Pack, Dark Grey underneath to catch any drips.
- For the cocktail: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, lemon juice, and lilac syrup. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into two chilled champagne flutes.
- Top each with 2 oz of chilled champagne or sparkling wine. Give a gentle stir.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or an edible lilac blossom. Serve immediately, and enjoy the floral aroma.
Prep and Cook Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes for syrup steeping)
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Lilac French 75 (Recap)
The Lilac French 75 delivers sophisticated sparkle, vibrant floral notes, and refreshing citrus in every sip. It’s the perfect spring or early summer cocktail for special occasions when you want to offer something that’s both beautiful and delicious. Serve this blossoming twist and toast to great company and the simple joys of the season!