An interesting Champagne cocktail is an ideal way to celebrate a wide range of occasions. From a special brunch to a party of merit, this cocktail is a festive way to toast a memorable event or bubbling success. Our recipe utilizes all French products, including Champagne, Lillet, a fortified aperitif wine, and St. Germain, the intoxicating French liquor made from fresh elderflowers.

Featured on the Annette Joseph blog.

The Foundary French Cocktail: 

• ¾ oz. St. Germain
• ¾ oz. Lillet
• 4-6 oz. dry Champagne

Pour ¾ of an ounce of each St. Germain and Lillet in an ample Champagne flute. Fill with Champagne. The fruit-and-botanical flavor of Lillet marries the dry sparkling Champagne with the heady, aromatic St. Germain. The cocktail is a sweet but full-bodied drink that leads with an exquisite nose, and finishes with a bright palette.

• There are many options for garnishing this drink with flair. A clementine twist complements the citrus flavors of Lillet, while frozen blueberries add a fun bit of cool levity at play with the Champagne bubbles.
• A fresh nasturtium is a beautiful touch as another edible garnish.
• Fresh orange mint leaves and cucumber create a cooling, complex flavor.
• Other ideas include a fresh cherry halved with the pit removed, a slice of kiwi, and a lemon twist.

For a variation, add 1 ounce of a rose-tinged gin for a floral take on the French 75. We recommend Hendrick’s gin, punctuated with cucumber and rose flavors, or River Rose, an award-winning specialty gin produced in Le Claire, Iowa that rewards with a long rose finish.

Be sure to check out http://www.ajphotostylist.net/  for Annette Joseph’s signature style tips
and continued cocktail ideas.