French 77
A floral, sparkling riff that pairs vodka and elderflower liqueur with lemon, finished with chilled Champagne. Light and aromatic, it drinks like a springtime aperitif with fine bubbles and a clean, dry finish. Serve in a flute for maximum lift and elegance.
History of French 77
The French 77 is a modern, floral-leaning cousin of the French 75 and French 76. It swaps simple syrup for elderflower liqueur and often pairs that with vodka rather than gin. The result is a bright, aromatic sparkling cocktail designed for aperitif service. Its exact origin is hazy, like many contemporary riffs. The drink likely emerged as elderflower liqueur became widely popular in the 2000s, when bartenders explored its pairing with citrus and bubbles. The style echoes the tried-and-true template of spirit, lemon, and sparkling wine. While the French 75 traces back to early 20th-century Paris, the 77 reads as a later evolution, shaped by accessible floral liqueurs and a preference for clean, neutral spirits. It nods to French flavours by featuring Champagne but feels distinctly modern in profile. Today it appears on brunch and aperitif menus where brightness and fizz are prized.
Why the French 77 Works
Vodka provides structure without crowding the palate, letting elderflower’s floral sweetness and lemon’s acidity take the lead. A quick shake with ice chills and integrates the base while avoiding over-dilution, then Champagne adds lift, texture, and a dry, mineral finish. Elderflower liqueur works as both sweetener and flavour accent, so you need less sugar overall. The lemon juice sharpens the edges and keeps the drink from tasting cloying, preserving a lively balance. Using a chilled flute and gently topping with sparkling wine protects the bubbles. The result is a fizzy, aromatic cocktail with a crisp finish that sets the palate for food.
Should You Mix Ahead?
Batch the base by combining vodka, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice in a sealable bottle. Keep it refrigerated and use within two days for best freshness. Do not add sparkling wine until serving. Before service, chill both the batched base and the Champagne as cold as possible without freezing. Cold ingredients reduce the need for hard shaking and help preserve carbonation when you top the drink. When ready to serve, give the base a quick shake with ice to brighten and dilute, then fine strain into chilled flutes and top with sparkling wine. Garnish to order so the citrus oils are vibrant.
Food & Snack Pairings
Smoked salmon blinis and crème fraîche echo the drink’s bracing acidity while the elderflower adds a delicate counterpoint. Fresh oysters also work beautifully, as the bubbles scrub the palate between briny bites. Goat’s cheese tart or a simple asparagus salad pairs well with the floral character and lemony snap. The acidity keeps richer pastries in check, making it a flexible brunch option. For something sweet, serve with strawberries or a light lemon posset. Avoid heavy chocolate desserts which can overwhelm the drink’s subtlety and dry finish.
How to Make French 77
Chill a Champagne flute thoroughly. Add vodka, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to a shaker with plenty of ice. Shake briefly, about 6 to 8 seconds, to chill and lightly dilute without over-aerating. Fine strain into the chilled flute to keep shards of ice out of the finished drink. Top slowly with well-chilled Champagne and allow the foam to settle. Express a lemon twist over the surface and drop it in or rest it on the rim.
When to Serve
Serve as an aperitif before dinner when you want something bright and appetite-whetting. It excels at spring gatherings and garden parties. Brunch is another natural fit where the bubbles and citrus provide lift without heaviness. It also suits wedding toasts and festive moments that call for a refined sparkle. On warm evenings, it works as a first round to set the tone for lighter courses. Keep it in the rotation whenever floral flavours and freshness appeal.
Common Mistakes
Over-shaking the base can introduce too much air and melt, which flattens the Champagne on topping. Keep the shake short and sharp, then fine strain to remove ice chips.
Using warm sparkling wine dulls the mousse and the aroma. Always chill the bottle thoroughly and the glassware too, so the bubbles remain crisp.
Letting sweetness run away is another pitfall. Taste your elderflower liqueur and adjust lemon or reduce the liqueur by a barspoon if the drink feels cloying.
Recommended
Best vodka for French 77
Choose a clean, neutral vodka so it supports rather than competes with the elderflower and lemon. High aromatic vodkas can crowd the floral note and tip the balance.
Best liqueur for French 77
Elderflower liqueur varies in sweetness and intensity, so taste yours and adjust the lemon accordingly. You want floral lift without syrupiness.
Best wine for French 77
Use a dry, brut-style Champagne or quality dry sparkling wine with firm acidity. The wine’s backbone keeps the elderflower in check and extends the finish.
Taste Profile
Ingredients
Instructions
Chill and prep
Chill a Champagne flute and prepare a fresh lemon twist.
Shake the base
Add vodka, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to a shaker with ice. Shake briefly, 6–8 seconds, to chill and lightly dilute.
Strain and top
Fine strain into the chilled flute to remove ice shards. Top slowly with well-chilled Champagne or dry sparkling wine.
Garnish and serve
Express the lemon twist over the surface, then garnish. Serve immediately while the bubbles are lively.
Bartender Tips
Keep everything cold
Chill the flute and sparkling wine thoroughly. Cold ingredients preserve carbonation and maintain a crisp, dry finish.
Mind the sweetness
Elderflower liqueurs vary in sweetness. If your bottle is quite sweet, reduce the measure slightly or add a few extra drops of lemon to maintain balance.
Pour gently
Top slowly down the side of the flute to avoid excessive foaming, which steals carbonation and dilution control.
To make a non-alcoholic French 77, replace vodka with a zero-proof vodka-style spirit and use elderflower cordial in place of liqueur. Swap Champagne for a quality alcohol-free sparkling wine to keep the bubbles and dryness. Keep the lemon as written and build the drink the same way in a well-chilled flute. Dial the cordial with restraint because it is sweeter than liqueur. Start small, taste, and add a few drops at a time until the floral note sits in balance with the citrus. The bubbles will carry aroma, so you can err on the lighter side of sweetness. If you cannot find alcohol-free sparkling wine, soda water will work but the drink will taste simpler. Add a pinch of citric or tartaric acid to sharpen the finish if using soda. Garnish with a lemon twist to add aromatic lift and a polished look.
Similar Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ingredients make or break a French 77?
Fresh lemon juice and a good-quality dry sparkling wine are essential for brightness and balance. Use a clean, neutral vodka and a floral but not overly sweet elderflower liqueur so the drink stays lifted rather than syrupy.
What technique keeps the bubbles lively?
Give the vodka, lemon, and elderflower a short, cold shake, then fine strain into a chilled flute. Top slowly with well-chilled sparkling wine and avoid stirring, letting the pour integrate the drink naturally.
How strong does a French 77 feel?
It drinks lighter than its numbers suggest thanks to acidity and effervescence. Expect a moderate kick with a crisp, dry finish rather than a boozy bite.
Can I make it ahead or batch for a party?
Yes, batch the base of vodka, elderflower, and lemon and keep it refrigerated. Shake portions to order and top with sparkling wine just before serving to preserve carbonation; adjust lemon to taste if your liqueur is on the sweeter side.
Hangover Risk
Risk Level
Hangover risk based on alcohol type, content, and serving size: 3/5. Always drink responsibly.
Recipe Rating
Based on 2 reviews