The Story Behind The Saon 75
One of the most revered classic cocktails among Francophiles is the French 75, a drink whose origins trace to Harry's New York Bar in Paris. Legend has it that the cocktail was named after the French 75-millimeter field gun used during World War I.
While that drink came out with a bang that still resonates today, the Saon 75 is a riff on this drink. Named for the eponymous Saon, a commune in Calvados in Normandy, France, this version subs out the French 75's requisite gin for Calvados, a brandy made in Normandy from apples or pears.
Calvados adds a bit of complexity to the base of the drink, and works so well in cocktails. It's a great bottle to have on hand, and is easily found in markets around the U.S.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces Calvados
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces sparkling wine
Directions
- Combine everything, except sparkling wine, in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for approximately 30 seconds to chill and combine ingredients.
- Double strain into a Champagne flute.
- Top with sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.