If you’re looking for a fun, classy, and fruity twist instead of just plain old champagne, then you’ll love this blackberry French 75 cocktail! This classic mixed drink is made with gin, champagne, and of course fresh blackberries for a refreshing drink perfect for New Year’s Eve!
What is a Blackberry French 75?
A blackberry French 75 is a vibrant, fruity twist on the classic French 75 cocktail, which traditionally combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne.
This variation incorporates muddled blackberries or blackberry syrup to add a rich, sweet, and tart flavor and a striking color to the drink. Since it’s still topped with champagne or prosecco for effervescence, it’s also an ideal celebratory cocktail!
While you can serve a blackberry French 75 for a variety of occasions, it’s one of my favorites for New Year’s. It’s a lovely color that looks so elegant, and blackberries add a wintery feel and sophisticated look.
It’s also convenient to make in batches, and easy to customize the strength and sweetness for individual drinks, so it’s absolutely perfect for entertaining.
Quick + Easy Recipes
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Ingredients Needed
- 1 ounce gin
- 6 fresh blackberries
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup (optional)
- 3 ounces chilled champagne (or prosecco)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Dry gin is the most common choice, but really any brand of gin is fine, so use your favorite! If you dislike gin, substitute vodka (especially blackberry-flavored vodka, since it adds extra fruity flavor) – this technically makes it a French 76!
- You can use frozen blackberries instead of fresh if preferred, though you should defrost them in advance for best results
- Instead of simple syrup you can substitute honey instead, and also feel free to adjust the sweetness to your personal tastes
- Prosecco is sweeter than champagne, so you can choose accordingly to adjust sweetness here as well (I use prosecco personally but you can grab your usual champagne choice)
Equipment Note
The easiest way to prepare the blackberries is by blending them in a food processor or blender, and then straining the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieveto remove seeds.
You’ll still have a little bit of pulp this way, so if you want a more clear drink, I recommend a second run through cheesecloth to get the finer particles!
However, if you don’t have this equipment available, you can muddle the berries in the bottom of a glass using a blunt spoon handle, fork, or similar tool until they express juices. This will give you chunks of fresh fruit (and some seeds) in your drink, but it will still be delicious!
Step By Step Instructions
- Add the blackberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Then, push through a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth to remove the seeds and pulp
- Mix the blackberry puree mixture and gin together in the bottom of a champagne flute, stirring gently to combine. You can also shake them in a cocktail shaker or mason jar if you prefer, but I don’t find it necessary
- Top the rest of the glass with chilled champagne or prosecco (pour slowly so as to not overflow the glass)
- Garnish with a twist of lemon or some fresh blackberries (optional) and enjoy!
- Pink Lady French 75
Food Pairings For the Blackberry French 75
Appetizers
- Cheese Platter: Soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese complement the cocktail’s fruity acidity, while aged cheeses like gouda or manchego provide a savory contrast
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon or Pear: The salty-sweet combo balances the tartness of the blackberries. My Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Melon is a great choice!
- Smoked Salmon Crostini: The savory richness of salmon is a great match for the light, sparkling elements of the drink
- Stuffed Dates: Fill them with blue cheese or almonds for a sweet-savory pairing. My Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates are the perfect sweet and salty combo!
- Sauerkraut Balls. Tangy sauerkraut offers a nice contrast, and they’re also a New Year’s favorite since they’re supposed to bring good luck! Try my Air Fryer Sauerkraut Balls for an easy recipe
Main Courses
- Roast Duck or Turkey: The cocktail’s fruitiness highlights the savory, rich flavors of roasted poultry. Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin is the perfect option for a smaller crowd
- Grilled Lamb Chops: Lamb pairs well with berry flavors, creating a sophisticated harmony
- Herb-Crusted Salmon: The light, herbal notes complement the gin and blackberry flavors
- Black Eyed Peas. While black eyed peas can be served as a side dish or a snack, they’re a New Year’s classic for good luck and prosperity. My Air Fryer Black Eyed Peas and Black Eyed Pea Fritters are the perfect crispy, snackable options!
Desserts
- Blackberry Tart: Highlight the drink’s key ingredient with a matching dessert!
- Dark Chocolate Truffles: The bitterness of dark chocolate contrasts beautifully with the sweet-tart cocktail
- Lemon Bars: The citrus in the dessert echoes the lemon juice in the drink for a cohesive pairing
- Berry Pavlova: The lightness of meringue and berries complements the bubbly champagne base. For a bite-sized version, try Air Fryer Meringue Cookies!
Recipe FAQs
What Champagne Is Best For a French 75?
The best champagne for a French 75 is a dry (brut) variety, as it balances the sweetness of the simple syrup and blackberry flavors. However, you can adjust based on your personal sweetness preferences.
Choose a quality, affordable brut champagne or sparkling wine, like prosecco or cava, for a budget-friendly option. Avoid sweeter varieties, like demi-sec, which can make the cocktail overly sweet.
What Is a Substitute for Gin in French 75?
If you don’t have gin, vodka is a simple substitute, as it provides a neutral base that lets the blackberry and citrus flavors shine. This swap makes it a French 76 actually!
For a unique twist, try elderflower liqueur for floral notes or white rum for a subtle sweetness. Tequila blanco can also work for an adventurous variation. Adjust the other ingredients to maintain the drink’s balance and flavor.
Are French 75s Strong?
Yes, French 75s are relatively strong because they combine a base spirit with sparkling wine, both of which contain alcohol.
The tart lemon juice and sparkling wine’s effervescence can make the drink taste lighter than it is. Enjoy it responsibly, as it’s more potent than it might seem.
What Is the Difference Between French 76 and French 75?
The difference lies in the base spirit: a French 75 uses gin or cognac, while a French 76 replaces it with vodka. The rest of the ingredients—lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling wine—remain the same.
The French 76 has a smoother, less botanical flavor, appealing to those who prefer vodka-based cocktails. Both are elegant and celebratory drinks ideal for special occasions.
Recipe Tips For the Best Blackberry French 75
- This recipe is designed for a 6-8 ounce champagne flute. For larger (10-12 ounce) flutes, use 1.5-2x the ingredients (except the champagne) to keep proportions correct
- For a colder drink without dilution, add some frozen blackberries in as a garnish. They’ll look nice and cool your drink: win win!
French 75 Serving Tips
- You can easily scale this recipe for parties. Mix everything but the champagne in advance and store in a pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Fill the glasses halfway with the juice mixture, then top with champagne before serving
- A lemon twist is a classic French 75 garnish, but you can use a blackberry or even some thyme sprigs for a beautiful addition!
Final Thoughts
This blackberry French 75 is a fruity twist on a classic cocktail that adds an elegant touch as well. Despite how fancy it looks, it’s actually an easy cocktail to make, which is why I enjoy it so much for entertaining – impressive and low stress for me!
Fresh blackberries add a lovely ruby jewel tone to this bubbly, herbal cocktail which makes it so versatile. It fits in at your black tie affair and fancy parties, but you can also serve it to celebrate Valentine’s day, or make an extra summery sip with fresh berries!
Katie’s tip
If you love all things blackberry, make sure to check out all of my delicious Blackberry Crown Recipes which make use of warm blackberry whiskey!
Blackberry French 75 With Gin and Champagne
Equipment
- Champagne flute (or similar)
- Blender (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 6 fresh blackberries
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces chilled champagne (or prosecco)
Instructions
- Add the blackberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Then, push through a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth to remove the seeds and pulp6 fresh blackberries, ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, ½ ounce simple syrup
- Mix the blackberry puree mixture and gin together in the bottom of a champagne flute, stirring gently to combine. You can also shake them in a cocktail shaker or mason jar if you prefer, but I don’t find it necessary1 ounce gin
- Top the rest of the glass with chilled champagne or prosecco (pour slowly so as to not overflow the glass)3 ounces chilled champagne
- Garnish with a twist of lemon or some fresh blackberries (optional) and enjoy!
Notes
- Dry gin is the most common choice, but really any brand of gin is fine, so use your favorite! If you dislike gin, substitute vodka (especially blackberry-flavored vodka, since it adds extra fruity flavor) – this technically makes it a French 76!
- You can use frozen blackberries instead of fresh if preferred, though you should defrost them in advance for best results
- Instead of simple syrup you can substitute honey instead, and also feel free to adjust the sweetness to your personal tastes (it is not overly sweet as written)
- Prosecco is sweeter than champagne, so you can choose accordingly to adjust sweetness here as well (I use prosecco)
- This recipe is designed for a 6-8 ounce champagne flute. For larger (10-12 ounce) flutes, use 1.5-2x the ingredients (except the champagne) to keep proportions correct
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, size of glasses, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
