French 75

This is a rather interesting cocktail made from Gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and sugar. The drink was created in 1915 at the Paris landmark, Harry's New York Bar by barman Harry MacElhone. The combination was said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm howitzer artillery piece.

The drink's recipe was first recorded in The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. A later cocktail book The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks by David Embury claims incorrectly, and without evidence, that the French 75 is a Cognac based drink.

Ingredients

2 oz. Gin
1 oz. simple syrup (or 2 tsp. superfine sugar)
1 oz. lemon juice
Brut Champagne or other dry sparkling wine

Combine Gin, sugar, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into an iced highball or collins glass. Fill with Champagne. Garnish with a twist of lemon.