For New Year’s Eve I threw a party for about 20 friends. I thought it’d be fitting to do a champagne-based cocktail, and wanted something easy since I spend enough of my time bartending. I also wanted a crowd-pleaser, something that even casual drinkers love. What could be better than the French 75?

This classic drink came to America via soldiers returning from WWI. Found in Paris, the troops said it had so much kick it felt like being shelled by the powerful French 75mm machine gun. (For bonus points, the French 95 is a variant that merely substitutes bourbon for gin.)

French 75

1 oz. Plymouth Gin

.5 oz. lemon juice

.5 oz. simple syrup

1 oz. Champagne

Lemon Twist

Shake and strain first three ingredients into champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with lemon twist.