Classic Cocktails & Drinks With A Funky Twist

French 95

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Posted: 12/24/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

The French 95 is a sophisticated champagne cocktail featuring bourbon. A cousin drink to the classic French 75, this bubbly and balanced indulgence has a bourbon kick creating a more high-caliber drink that is still refreshing. Four simple ingredients combine to create an invigorating cocktail perfect for celebrating!

two champagne flutes of French 95 recipe garnished with an orange twist with bottles of bourbon and champagne in the background

Also known as a Bourbon French 75, the French 95 features Bourbon in addition to sparkling champagne, tart lemon, and simple syrup that accent the spirit. It comes together in minutes and has a smooth yet fizzy flavor that is sure to become one of your new cocktail go-to’s!

French 95 Ingredients

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed is preferred)
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup (this homemade simple syrup is best and can be used for hundreds of other cocktails!)
  • 2 ounces champagne
two champagne flutes of French 95 recipe garnished with an orange twist with bottles of bourbon and champagne in the background

How to Make a French 95 Cocktail

To make a French 95, add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well for about 20 seconds and strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish an orange peel twist.

man's hand pouring cocktail shaker of French 95 ingredients into a champagne flute with bottles of champagne and bourbon in the background

If you are serving a crowd and don’t want to shake up individual cocktails, you can make multiple at one time by adding enough bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the cocktail shaker for multiple French 95 drinks. The standard cocktail shaker is 16 oz, so plenty of room for shaking ingredients of up three drinks at once. Shake well with ice, divide into three champagne flutes and top each glass with champagne. Another option is to stir together enough bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher (multiply ingredients as needed) and refrigerate until serving. Fill each glass just over half full with the bourbon mixture and top with champagne just prior to serving.

bottle of champagne pouring into a glass of French 95 recipe with bottle of bourbon and cocktail shaker in the background

How to Serve

Serve your French 95 in a champagne flute and garnish with an orange twist. An orange twist enhances the presentation of the cocktail and an extra hint of citrus flavor and scent by releasing natural oils. Best of all it is easy to add! To make an orange peel twist, run a small paring knife around the orange to obtain a long ribbon of peel. Twist into a spiral and hold for a few seconds for the peel to hold its shape. Add to the rim of the glass once the drink is added.

Bourbon vs. Whiskey

Whiskey is a family of distilled liquor made from fermenting grain mash. Bourbon is a specific type of Whiskey distilled in the United States and is known to have a sweeter flavor than other types of whiskey. So while Bourbon is Whiskey, not all Whiskey is Bourbon.

two champagne flutes of French 95 recipe garnished with an orange twist with bottles of bourbon and champagne in the background

French 95 vs 75 vs 76

The primary difference in the French 95, French 75, and French 76 lies in the base spirit. All three cocktails contain the same base ingredients of lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne. The French 75 stars gin while the French 76 employs vodka, and the French 95 bourbon. This changes the flavor of the cocktail enough to require separate names. Try them all and let us know which one is your favorite.

Other Champagne Drinks

two champagne flutes of French 95 recipe garnished with an orange twist with bottle of bourbon and a cocktail shaker in the background
two champagne flutes of French 95 recipe garnished with an orange twist with bottles of bourbon and champagne in the background
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French 95

Serves: 1 cocktail
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
The French 95 is a sophisticated champagne cocktail featuring bourbon. This bubbly and balanced drink has a whiskey kick that is still refreshing.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces bourbon
  • 3/4 ounce lemon juice
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 ounces champagne

Instructions

  • Mix the bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup together with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a champagne flute.
  • Top with champagne and garnish with an orange peel spiral.
Author: Nathan Longley
Course: Drinks
two champagne flutes of French 95 recipe garnished with an orange twist with bottles of bourbon and champagne in the background

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French 95

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @shakedrinkrpt and hashtag it #shakedrinkrepeat!

Nathan Longley has been his wife’s personal bar tender for as long as he can remember. While he most often enjoys a cold beer, he is known to love our vodka gimlet.

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