Like most classic cocktails, a French 75 can carry a substitution or two that turns it into something totally different. I’ve explored a fair few alternatives like in this French 1605 version, and I might suggest a great use of a spring or summers afternoon would be to gather a big old ice bucket, a chilled bottle of fizz and whatever assorted bottles of booze you have to hand and work out which your favourite might be.
This version isn’t a recognised one, but simply an experimentation with a new bottle of rum with chilli and chocolate, so you could do the same. The only thing to bear in mind, is if you’re not sure if your substitutions are going to work, just make the one and share it, before deciding to make another. And perhaps another if it works that well.
This Chilli & Chocolate Rum didn’t taste too bad on its own, but if I’m honest, I’m not a lover of drinks being overly spicy, so thought the addition of a bit of vanilla, and some fizz would never be a bad thing. And I was spot on. I’m not sure enough to make this my go-to 75 version, but it certainly wasn’t bad at all.
Gather your ingredients:
1oz Rumbullion
½ oz vanilla syrup
½ oz lemon juice
Prosecco to top
As you’d expect with a French 75, you’ll want to shake the rum, lemon and syrup hard over big handfuls of ice and strain into a champagne flute before topping with your fizz. And then taste before you decide if you’re gonna make another, and perhaps another.
Cocktail Queen 