Elevating the French 75: A Refined Twist on a Classic Cocktail
A refined twist, where elegance meets innovation through the infusion of the fragrant rosemary and a crystal clear look using citric acid instead of lemon juice and a clear ice cube spear.
To begin this journey, we start by crafting a delicately infused rosemary sugar syrup. Fresh rosemary sprigs are simmered with sugar, allowing the herb’s aromatic oils to mingle and infuse the syrup with a subtle yet captivating essence. The result is a syrup that strikes a perfect balance between floral sweetness and herbal complexity, adding depth and dimension.
To make rosemary syrup, add 100 g sugar, 100 mL of water and 3 fresh sprigs of rosemary (scale as needed) to a pan and simmer for 20 min with the lid on. Take the pan off of the heat and leave the rosemary in the syrup to infuse further for a couple of hours or overnight. Strain into a clean bottle and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Now, let’s turn our attention to making the cocktail crystal clear which will give the cocktail a transparent look to bring forward the elegance the French 75 truly deserves. Clarification of lemon juice is often used to achieve this, but here we instead turn to citric acid for a clean and more consistent result that is also easy to do. Citric acid allows for precise control over the acidity and eliminates the cloudiness that lemon juice introduces. For the same acidity as lemon juice we use a 6 % citric acid solution. With our fragrant rosemary syrup and our clear citric acid solution we are ready to mix our Clear Rosemary French 75.
Crafting the Clear Rosemary French 75
- 1 oz / 30 mL gin
- 1 oz / 30 mL rosemary syrup
- 1 oz / 30 mL 6 % citric acid solution
- 2 drops 20 % saline solution
- 2 oz / 60 mL champagne or sparkling wine
- 1 spear of clear ice
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
Add the gin, citric acid solution, rosemary syrup, and saline solution to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake the mixture well to chill the ingredients and blend the flavors. Add the champagne or sparkling wine. and stir gently to combine – making sure not to shake the mixture with the sparkling wine, as it will cause an overflow of bubbles and a huge mess. For a sophisticated presentation, pour the mixture over a clear ice cube spear in a highball glass. Finish by garnishing your cocktail with a fresh sprig of rosemary. The verdant leaves of rosemary release a final burst of aroma, adding an aromatic layer that enhances the overall drinking experience.
Cheers!
With a sip of this exquisite creation, one is transported to a realm where elegance reigns supreme, and every taste is a symphony of flavor and refinement. In the world of cocktails, the French 75 stands as a timeless classic, but with the infusion of rosemary sugar syrup and its crystal clear look using citric acid solution and clear ice, it transcends tradition – a testament to the endless possibilities that await those who dare to explore the boundaries of mixology. Cheers to sophistication, innovation, and the simple pleasure of a well-crafted drink. Santé!