His & Hers Cocktails - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Did everyone have fun ringing in 2021?  We opted for a quiet night in with Sir Barkley, appetizers and a bottle of champagne.  If you're like us, you actually have some bubbly leftover from the evening.  Though champagne doesn't hold well once opened, this little gadget can extend the life of your bottle.  Now, what to do with the rest?  Sure, you can make mimosas to serve with brunch or how about we elevate your New Year's Day with a new tradition of French 75's & French 95's that will pair nicely with black eyed peas, collards and cornbread?  

The French 75 comes to us from the New York Bar in Paris during WW1.  Made from a combination of champagne, gin, lemon juice and sugar, this cocktail was said to have packed as much punch as being shelled by a French 75 machine gun.  Well, I can't think of a better way kick off 2021.   Variations of liquored used will change the number of drink.  Today, bourbon will replace the gin for a French 95.  The use of vodka gives you a French 76 while brandy will make it a French 125.  After that, things become much more complicated by playing around with citrus juices and various types of champagne/sparkling wine.  And after a late night, I'm sure most people are looking for something that's tasty while being quick and easy.

His Cocktail - French 95
2 oz bourbon (Buffalo Trace)
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Dry (Brut) Champagne

In a cocktail shaker combine the bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup and shake with three ice cubes.  Strain into a fizz our champagne glass and top off with champagne.

Her Cocktail - French 75
1 1/2 oz Plymouth gin
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Dry (Brut) Champagne
Lemon twist

In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup and shake with three ice cubes.  Strain into a coupe or champagne glass and top off with champagne.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

Happy drinking!