Fall French 75 Recipe

This sparkling cocktail plays up the tart, fruity side of Concord grapes.

By
Autumn Giles
Autumn Giles
Autumn Giles wrote Beyond Canning in 2016 and has been creating recipes for preserving, cocktails, and desserts for over a decade, all gluten-free.
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Updated February 13, 2023
A fall French 75 cocktail served in a coupe glass.

Serious Eats / Autumn Giles

Why It Works

  • Juicing grapes by blending them and then straining the purée is a quick and convenient method that preserves their fresh flavor without the need for cooking, peeling, or seeding.
  • Concord grape purée adds deep, musky notes and a striking color to this sparkling cocktail.

Concord grapes are a bridge between summer and fall. They're one of those items that show up in the markets and people go a little wild—in some circles, these purple beauties are touted as the ultimate grape. I’ve created three cocktails that showcase Concords with a fresh purée and an easy Concord grape syrup. They're worth whipping up for the color alone, but the flavors would impress even if your guests were blindfolded.

There’s this riff on the classic French 75, plus a variation that combines grapes with Scotch and sherry, and a third featuring Cardamaro and bourbon.

Playing up the tart, fruity side of Concord grapes, this drink pairs fresh grape purée with floral St. Germain elderflower liqueur. Although Concords rightfully have a reputation for having a very bold flavor, they're right at home with lighter spirits in this dressed up take on a French 75. The gorgeous color that the Concord purée brings this drink is just a nice bonus.

September 2013

Recipe Details

Fall French 75 Recipe

Active 10 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

  • For the Concord Grape Purée:
  • 1 1/2 cups Concord grapes, stems removed (about 8 ounces with stems)
  • 1/4 teaspoon juice from 1 lemon
  • For the Cocktail:
  • 1 ounce London dry gin, such as Beefeater
  • 1/2 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
  • 1/2 ounce Concord grape purée
  • 1/4 ounce juice from 1 lime
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup (see notes)
  • 2 ounces chilled sparkling wine, or more to taste

Directions

  1. For the Concord Grape Purée: Purée grapes in a blender set to medium speed until only small pieces of skin remain. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing and stirring the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard solids, add lemon juice, and refrigerate if not using immediately.

  2. For the Cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add gin, St. Germain, grape purée, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into a coupe glass or flute and top with 2 ounces sparkling wine.

Special Equipment

Blender, fine-mesh strainer, cocktail shaker, cocktail strainer

Notes

To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Freeze any unused portion of the Concord purée for longer-term storage. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

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