What that meant was that for the first time the gun crew didn't have to re-aim. All they had to do was load another shell and fire again. And that meant an unprecedented rate of fire. Rather than four rounds a minute the French 75 could shoot one every 2 seconds. Without this rate of fire, France would have lost at Verdun, and therefore lost the war.
Plus the 75 mm shell had a huge wallop. And so to the name of theis cocktail, which was invented in Paris' Harry's American Bar (yes, that Harry's) and which was Hemingway's favorite.
It kicked like a mule, which what what Hemingway was after. As with all great things, there's a controvery: Red Sox vs. Yankees, 9mm vs. .45 ACP, French 75 made with gin vs. French 75 made with Cognac. Today we make it with Cognac. More on gin later.
1.5 oz Cognac
0.5 oz Triple Sec
0.5 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
Champagne
The first thing to point out here is that you're not using top shelf mixers in a cocktail like this. For example, Grand Marnier would be a waste. XO Cognac would be a waste. Vintage Champagne would be a waste. You want something passably decent, but that's it. Trader Joe's is your friend. The one thing you cannot skimp on is use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Combine the Cognac, Triple Sec and lemon juice in a metal cocktail shaker half full of ice. Shake until the shaker is frosted on the outside with, well, frost. Pour into a large wine glass.
This is the point where I must pause to discuss two controversies. The first is that some people prefer the use of gin, rather than Cognac. If you subscribe to the theory that clear drinks are higher social status than colored (I don't), then bring the Bombay. This debate, as I pointed out before, falls into the same camp as Red Sox vs. Yankees, and so is actually perfect for Cocktail Party conversation.
The second controversy is that the original recipe is much stronger than what I listed here: 2 full jiggers of gin or Brandy, and one full one of Triple Sec (and make it a full jigger of lemon juice, too). The cocktail's name came from the impact crater of the original canon, and while Hemingway's thirst (and capacity to quench same) was legendary, I find that a drink of this strength rapidly closes off Cocktail Party conversation (as most participants are soon lying face down, drooling). Forewarned is forearmed.
Fill the glass with Champagne. Et voila! Garnish with a lovingly dogeared copy of Farewell To Arms, and serve to a grateful Public.
Recipe is duly noted, and will be served at the appropriate occasion. It has everything going for it, but it is rather difficult to make say, just one after work, non?
ReplyDeleteAS to the ingredients, gin is rather too English for such a drink, so cognac, bien sûr!
The Hemingway connection is fascinating, as is the knowledge of the French artillery piece's efficacy.
I am always learning something here chez Borepatch.
Salut!
Yep, they WILL kick your ass... Just sayin... And cognac is the 'more' correct version.
ReplyDeleteGin is vile.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, sounds yummy and lethal!
gfa
Great recipe !
ReplyDeleteTwo of these is my limit, but you did stress the requirement for freshly squeezed lemons. Limes work, too, but need a little more sugar than lemons.
And, while Triple Sec is better, I use simple syrup (one part water to one part sugar, boiled to dissolve then cooled with ice) and a citrus infused gin or vodka.
The freshly squeezed lemons make quite a mess, but it smells great ! Strain them to pull out the pulp, as it's wickedly difficult to clean out of a traditional champagne flue. I like making it in a wine glass - this drink is to zingy to drink fast - you sip it!