Golden Bourbon French 75
Elevate your cocktail experience with this delightful twist on the classic French 75. The Golden Bourbon French 75 offers a harmonious blend of smooth bourbon, fresh citrus, and the unique sweetness of honey syrup, creating a refreshing drink that will appeal to both gin lovers and bourbon enthusiasts alike. The effervescence from the Champagne or Prosecco perfectly complements the rich flavors, making it an ideal choice for celebrations, brunches, or a cozy evening at home. Serve in your favorite glassware and enjoy the warmth of shared moments.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bourbon Whiskey
1 ounce (Measure out and set aside)
Fresh Orange Juice
1 ounce (Juice an orange just before mixing)
Honey Syrup
3/4 ounce (Use the cooled syrup made earlier)
Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 ounce (Juice a lemon just before mixing)
Orange Bitters
4 dashes (Add directly from the bottle)
Champagne or Prosecco
to top (Pour gently over the mixed cocktail)
Orange Twist
1 (Cut a thin strip of orange peel for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by making the honey syrup: In a 1-quart saucepan, combine the honey and water. Heat over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the honey is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 1 hour.
2
After the syrup has cooled, pour it into a glass jar, cover it, and refrigerate until ready to use. This will yield about 1/2 cup of honey syrup, perfect for multiple servings.
3
For the cocktail, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the bourbon, fresh orange juice, honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and orange bitters.
4
Shake well until thoroughly chilled.
5
Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass and top it off with your choice of Champagne or Prosecco.
6
Finally, garnish with a twist of orange peel for a burst of aroma and visual appeal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Golden Bourbon French 75?
The Golden Bourbon French 75 is a sophisticated variation of the classic French 75 cocktail, replacing gin with smooth bourbon and using honey syrup for a richer, warmer flavor profile.
How does this differ from a traditional French 75?
While a traditional French 75 uses gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup, this version uses bourbon whiskey, orange juice, and honey syrup to create a deeper, more golden cocktail.
What ingredients do I need for a Golden Bourbon French 75?
You will need bourbon whiskey, fresh orange juice, honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, orange bitters, and either Champagne or Prosecco for topping.
How do I make the honey syrup for this recipe?
Combine honey and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes until dissolved, then let it cool for one hour before using.
How much honey syrup does the recipe yield?
The instructions yield approximately 1/2 cup of honey syrup, which is enough for multiple servings of the cocktail.
Can I store the leftover honey syrup?
Yes, you can pour the cooled honey syrup into a glass jar, cover it, and refrigerate it until you are ready to make another drink.
What is the best way to chill the cocktail?
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and shake the bourbon, juices, syrup, and bitters well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled before straining.
What type of sparkling wine should I use?
You can use your choice of Champagne or Prosecco to top off the drink, depending on your preference for sweetness and carbonation.
What is the recommended garnish for this drink?
A simple twist of orange peel is the perfect garnish, adding both a burst of citrus aroma and a visual flourish to the glass.
Is this cocktail suitable for brunch?
Absolutely! The combination of citrus and sparkling wine makes the Golden Bourbon French 75 an excellent choice for brunches or early celebrations.
Can I use bottled orange juice instead of fresh?
Freshly squeezed orange juice is highly recommended for the best flavor, though high-quality bottled juice can be used in a pinch.
What kind of glassware is recommended?
This drink is best served in a chilled cocktail glass, such as a coupe or a champagne flute, to maintain its temperature and elegance.
Should I shake the Champagne with the other ingredients?
No, you should never shake carbonated ingredients. Shake the bourbon and juices first, strain them into the glass, and then top with the Champagne or Prosecco.
How many dashes of orange bitters should I add?
The recipe calls for 4 dashes of orange bitters to enhance the citrus notes and add complexity to the drink.
What makes this drink 'Golden'?
The 'golden' hue comes from the combination of the amber-colored bourbon whiskey and the rich yellow-gold of the honey syrup and orange juice.
Can I make this cocktail without a shaker?
If you don't have a shaker, you can stir the base ingredients in a glass with ice, but shaking is preferred for the best aeration and temperature.
Is the honey syrup ratio 1:1?
While specific measurements for the syrup base aren't listed, typically honey syrup is made with equal parts honey and water to ensure it dissolves easily.
What is the preparation time for the syrup?
It takes about 2 minutes of active cooking to dissolve the honey, followed by 1 hour of cooling time.
Can I use lemon bitters instead of orange bitters?
Yes, lemon bitters would work well, though it will slightly alter the citrus profile of the cocktail compared to the original orange bitters.
How much bourbon is used per serving?
The recipe uses 1 ounce of bourbon whiskey per cocktail.
Is this a refreshing drink?
Yes, despite the presence of bourbon, the lemon, orange, and sparkling wine make it a very refreshing and effervescent beverage.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey syrup?
You can, but it will change the flavor to a more autumnal profile. Honey syrup provides a unique floral sweetness that defines this specific version.
What is the purpose of the lemon juice?
Lemon juice provides necessary acidity to balance the sweetness of the honey syrup and the richness of the bourbon.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 7 ingredients, including the garnish and the sparkling wine topper.
Do I need to peel the orange before juicing?
No, just juice the orange for the 1 ounce needed, and then cut a thin strip of the peel from a fresh section for the twist garnish.
Is this cocktail considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy cocktail,' making it accessible for home bartenders of all skill levels.
Can I make a batch of these at once?
Yes, you can multiply the base ingredients (bourbon, juices, syrup, bitters) in a large pitcher, then pour into individual glasses and top with bubbly.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
No, nutritional facts like calories, fat, and sugar are not currently provided for this recipe.
Is bourbon whiskey the only spirit in this drink?
Bourbon is the primary spirit, but it is supported by the alcohol content found in the Champagne or Prosecco used to top the drink.
Why is it called a 'French 75' variation?
It follows the standard French 75 template of spirit + citrus + sweetener + sparkling wine, simply swapping the specific types of each ingredient.