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I had the same problem as Helen -only the opposite - No calvados so used a full shot of Brandy (Torres 20 yr old) instead. Our first cocktail of the Evening and undoubtedly one of the last of 2024 (it's NYE). Fantastic cocktail!

Having tried all 3 of the french 75s that have sparkling wine (judge jr's, the 1980s, and this) - this is hands down the best of the 3 and an outstandingly good drink...but it doesn't taste like a french 75. It doesn't have the gin+fizz backbone, because the cognac and calvados (and the absinthe) are far more prominent. Don't get me wrong, this is the best sparkling wine cocktail I've had - but I don't think it's much of a French 75.

Simply wonderful, imagine if you have run out out of Pimms No1 cup in the summer, a real upgrade if you ask me

I have Robert Vermeire's book. I also have a Collins glass very similar to the one pictured. What I couldn't find this New Years Eve was the French brandy - housewights must have been partying again! So it got two measures of Calvados instead. A very fine cocktail.

A person at the distillery and I have had many (!!!) disagreements about the "incorrectness" of a French 75 over ice. I know unequivocally that I am right. This recipe is 100% the Right Way!!

A man named Colin Fields inspired you to serve a drink named after a field gun in a Collins glass. Difford's Guide never fails to deliver, even at 8 o'clock on a random Monday morning when mixing and drinking are the absolute last of one's intentions. Bravo

I am very much looking forward to making this cocktail but am a little unsure of how to interpret '2 spoons of powdered sugar'. Bar spoons? Going by what I've read, European bar spoons measure about half the amount of American style bar spoons (about 1 teaspoon US measurement).

Outstanding. Great balance of everything. For me the Pernod was perfect (I may have added a little more than the recipe). I agree with Andrew Robbie, I have a little bigger glasses and increase the recipe.