FRENCH 75

When it comes to cocktails, I go through phases. When I was younger, I loved a strong Mai Tai, but now I find them too sweet. For a bit, I was obsessed with ice cold martinis, but now I seem to pay for them in the morning. Lately, I’ve been leaning into the French 75. It’s elegant, tasty and doesn’t knock me out for the night. I like to use a rosé sparkling wine for color.

INGREDIENTS (serves 1)

1 ½ ounces gin

¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

¾ ounce simple syrup*

3 ounces sparkling rosé, chilled

Thin lemon peel for garnish

Ice

PREPARATION

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add in the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for about 15 second. Strain into champagne flute.

Top off with the sparkling rosé. Twist lemon peel to release the oils, then float it half in the glass and half hanging over side.

(*Note: Simple syrup can be made by dissolving sugar in hot water. Use equal parts.)