Ah, the French 75—once a cocktail of elegance and sparkle, now transformed into a refreshing mocktail that dances on your tongue like a spring breeze. Imagine yourself in a Parisian café, sans alcohol but with all the joie de vivre—a concoction so lively, it feels like sipping liquid sunlight. On a personal note, I once tried blending this drink during a summer soiree, and it became the star, even outshining the fireworks in the distance.
Steps
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in fresh lemon juice and bitters. Shake the mixture vigorously until the exterior of the shaker feels frosty.
- Pour the shaken mixture evenly into two champagne flutes or coupe glasses.
- Fill each glass with tonic water until it is about three-quarters full.
- Garnish each drink with a rock candy swizzle stick and serve right away.
- If rock candy is unavailable, add 1 teaspoon of superfine sugar to the shaker with the lemon juice and bitters.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ice
- 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 4 dashes lemon or orange bitters
- 2 (6-8oz) bottles premium tonic water (e.g., Fever Tree or Q Tonic)
- 2 rock candy swizzle sticks
FAQ
- What is a French 75 Mocktail?
- The French 75 Mocktail is a non-alcoholic twist on the classic French 75 cocktail. It combines fresh lemon juice, sparkling tonic water, and a splash of citrus bitters to mimic the original’s flavor profile without the alcohol content.
- How does the French 75 Mocktail differ from the original cocktail?
- While the traditional French 75 cocktail includes champagne and gin, the mocktail version substitutes these with premium tonic water and citrus bitters for a similar taste without the alcohol.
- What kind of tonic water is recommended for the mocktail?
- It is suggested to use high-quality tonic water for the best flavor. Brands like Fever Tree, Q Tonic, or Fentiman’s are recommended over standard grocery store options.
- Can I use a different sweetener if I don’t have rock candy swizzle sticks?
- Yes, if rock candy swizzle sticks are unavailable, you can use 1 teaspoon of superfine sugar instead. Add it to the cocktail shaker with the lemon juice and bitters.
- Where can I find bitters for the mocktail?
- Bitters can be found at well-stocked grocery stores, gourmet shops, or liquor stores. They are also available online. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions are available, with the alcoholic content being minimal, similar to vanilla extract. Choose the type that best suits your preferences.
Tips
- Opt for high-quality tonic water, such as Fever Tree or Q Tonic, to enhance the flavor of your mocktail and avoid using tonic from plastic bottles.
- Use rock candy swizzle sticks as a sweetener for a festive touch. If unavailable, substitute with 1 teaspoon of superfine sugar.
- Experiment with different colors of rock candy swizzle sticks to match the theme of your event, such as pink or blue for a baby shower.
- Though bitters can contain trace amounts of alcohol, their effect is minimal. Choose between alcoholic or non-alcoholic bitters according to your preference.
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker – Essential for mixing the lemon juice, bitters, and ice.
- Champagne Flutes or Coupe Glasses – These specific types of glassware are used for serving the mocktail.
- Rock Candy Swizzle Sticks – Used as a sweetener and garnish; available in various colors for themed events.
- Premium Tonic Water (such as Fever Tree or Q Tonic) – High-quality tonic water to enhance the flavor of the mocktail.
