Busy week, huh? I seem to have temporarily lost my appetite (nothing that Christmas treats at home won’t be able to cure), so I made us some cocktails! I can attest that these strong, brunch-appropriate cocktails go great with my butternut frittata.
Just remember—you’re adding gin to Champagne, so these pack a punch. Which means they might be just what you need at the holiday table.
These cocktails are a twist on the classic French 75 cocktail, which is made with gin, lemon, sugar and Champagne.
I tasted this cocktail at Cafe Flora in Seattle a couple of months ago. I was so excited to eat there since my friend had recommended the restaurant to me a couple of years ago. My brother was driving, so I ordered one of these while we waited for our vegetarian brunch to arrive and I marveled at the fiery red trees outside. Needless to say, I was a fan and knew I had to recreate these for the blog.
This Earl Grey-infused gin is the easiest infusion I’ve made yet, so please give it a try! It only needs an hour. The rest is super simple—the honey simple syrup comes together in just a couple of minutes on the stove (making simple syrup instead of straight honey helps the honey disperse into the drink). Shake it up, pour it into glasses, top it off with bubbly! Cheers from Cookie and Kate.
Earl Grey French 75
- Author:
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 cocktails 1x
- Category: Cocktail
Earl Grey-infused gin makes this French 75 brunch appropriate! This strong, sparkling, citrusy cocktail would be welcome any time of day, though. Amounts given below for infused gin and simple syrup yield 4 drinks, so scale up as necessary.
Ingredients
Earl Grey-infused gin
- ½ cup gin (I used Hendrick’s)
- 2 teabags Earl Grey tea (I used Numi Organics)
Honey simple syrup
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons water
Per cocktail
- 1 ounce Earl Grey-infused gin
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce honey simple syrup
- Dry Champagne or Prosecco, for topping off the drink (a few ounces per drink)
- Twist of lemon, as garnish
Instructions
- To make the infused gin: Measure out the gin and submerge tea bags in the liquid. Cover the gin and let it seep for 1 hour. Then remove the tea bags, squeezing absorbed gin into the mixture before discarding the bags.
- To make the honey simple syrup: Combine the honey and water in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, whisking occasionally, just until the honey has melted into the water. Remove from heat.
- To make a cocktail (you can make multiple drinks at once): Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in Earl Grey-infused gin, lemon juice and simple syrup in the proportions listed above. Securely fasten the cap on the shaker and shake until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain the liquid into Champagne glasses and top with Champagne. Garnish with a twist of lemon.
Notes
Recipe inspired by Cafe Flora in Seattle.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Jenna @ just j.faye
These sound/look delicious!! Happy holidays!
Jaclyn
Now I just need to convince my boss that the office needs these to be productive…
Gerlinde
Happy Holidays and Prost, this looks like a great drink.
Heidi @foodiecrush
Every holiday calls for bubbles. Let’s see what you come up with for Groundhog Day! Love the tea infused gin.
Katie @ Butterlust
I’m sipping on a hot earl grey right this very second…and now it just seems lackluster by comparison! Beautiful bubbles!
Joshua Hampton
How lovely. Earl Grey with booze. This is going to make my wife smile. Thanks for this recipe.
Lauren @TheSaltyTomato
Beautiful, simple and unique. Thank you for sharing Kate! I look forward to making this.
Robyn @realfoodwholelife
Love the color, and the use of tea. Makes it healthy, right? Merry Christmas, Kate!
dana
I had never heard of this cocktail before, and then right after you posted it I saw it on a wine bar menu. So smart AND gorgeous!
Kate
Well, what do you know? They are tasty!
Eileen
Yay! The French 75 is, hands down, one of my favorite celebratory cocktails ever. Love the idea of mixing it up with earl grey! Happy holidays to you & Cookie! :)
Kate
Thanks, Eileen! Happy holidays!
Laura Jane
Can you just live in my house and make me cocktails? Every single one you post here makes me drool.
★★★★★
Joanne
Tea-infused gin! Now that just screams BRUNCH ME.
Sophie
This sounds wonderful! I love any drink involving bubbles :) Ok, and gin :) Happy 2015, Kate!
Tiffany
My husband made these for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, they were delicious and a hit with our guests! I have to say that your website has become my go to site for creative, delicious, healthy, and easy to follow recipes. Thank you! You are inspiring!
★★★★★
Kate
Tiffany, thank you! I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. So glad you all enjoyed this cocktail! :)
Panos
if i don’t have time to infuse gin with earl gray can i make the recipe with gin and then add 30 ml of earl grey tea (hot water with earl gray) ?
Barbara K.
The best way to infuse gin is to take 2g of LOOSE LEAF Earl Grey tea, pour 100ml (approx. 3.5oz) gin over it, and and wait 90 seconds. That’s all it takes with quality, loose leaf tea. Swirl the leaves around and discard them. You can cool the infused gin in the fridge or stir it with ice in a cocktail shaker.
★★★★
Lynne
Are most of your recipes on this blog in your new book?
Kate
Hi, Lynne! Nope, my new book will include all brand new recipes.
Robert Erman
A very good recipe I really like this food. How to make it was relatively easy. I like grey french..
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks so much for the review, Robert! Glad you liked it :)
Klo Wolfgang
Hi Kate! My husband doesn’t care for Hendricks gin. I’m wondering if I could use another gin (Tanqueray?) or if the flavor of the Hendricks is important to the end product. Would love to make this as a party starter this NYE!
Kate
Hi Kio – Great question! I prefer Hendricks, but you can use a good gin of your choice. Enjoy! This is a fun one for NYE for sure.
Maureen
They are great simple beverages that have a special twist to them. Thank you1
★★★★★
Dereth Salchak.
French 77 is my favorite fancy cocktail (the 75, but swap elderflower liqueur for simple syrup), but this sounds divine for winter! I just picked up the ingredients and will make this tomorrow!
Mo
Delicious combination of flavors! Perfect for holidays or brunch. Great crowd pleaser, thanks!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Mo! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Cierra
I love earl Grey tea and cocktails with gin, so this was the perfect drink for me! I ended up not adding the simple syrup since the champagne sweetened it enough for me. Super tasty drink, I’ll definitely be making this one again!
★★★★★
Kate
Wonderful, Cierra. I appreciate you taking the time to review!