Simone Bailey is operating bar manager at Kokomo in Brooklyn, NY.

I’ve been quite partial to a well balanced French 75 lately. For a long time I shied away from gin. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Until I had someone introduce me to the more floral forward gins. Then the same person made me a French 75 and I haven’t looked back since. 

For me the perfect French 75 is 1 oz. of gin; ½ oz. of lemon juice; ½ oz. of simple syrup; topped with Champagne and a splash of St. Germain elderflower liqueur.

Add your gin of choice, lemon juice and simple syrup into a shaker. Shake for 20 seconds and strain into a Champagne flute. Top off with your favorite Champagne and a splash of St. Germain. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy. 

For more “What I’m Drinking Now,” check out Nicholas Wyatt and the Sips of Paradise and Kira Collings and the Tijuana Handshake.