Pomegranate "Red" French 75

Meet the Pomegranate “Red” French 75.

Inspired by one of my favorite Eras and the Kansas City Chiefs heading to the Super Bowl, it’s fruity, full of depth, and burning Red!

Add a sparkling gold rim, and it’s the best way to celebrate Travis Kelce and his (fingers crossed) win in Las Vegas!

This cocktail is a symphony of flavors, blending tart lemon with the botanical elegance of Empress 1908 Gin. It’s sweetened to perfection with berry-heavy pomegranate and kissed with bubbly Prosecco to round it all off. 

And the gold decor? Let’s just say my house is rooting for the red and gold!

This cocktail is not just a drink but a statement. And I know you’ll love it.

What Is a French 75?

The classic French 75 is an effervescent mix of gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Typically served in a Champagne flute, it’s crisp, citrusy, and deliciously bubbly. 

It’s hard to pinpoint who and where this gin cocktail was invented. But we do know that it became popular in the early 20th century. 

Some say it originated at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. The story goes: it was named for the French 75mm field gun. 

Why? Because, like the gun, it’s got a strong kick. 

To make it, you shake gin with lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Then, top it off with Champagne.

Sounds pretty delicious, right?

But I wanted something Red! Hence, the Pomegranate “Red” French 75.

Pomegranate French 75

The Pomegranate French 75 pays homage to Taylor Swift’s “Red” era and is a vibrant tribute to Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs as they gear up for the Super Bowl.

(I also created something stronger if you’re interested - the Kansas City Old Fashioned! It’s robust, cherry red, and very boozy.)

Back to the the Pomegranate 75…this Travis and Taylor inspired cocktail is much sweeter.

The richness of the pomegranate juice is a nod to Taylor’s incredible storytelling. But it also reflects the Chiefs’ iconic red, symbolizing their fiery passion on the football field.

As for the gin, I chose Empress 1908. It’s a stunning dark blue spirit that deepens the crimson and brings the most Delicate floral and botanical notes.

(I have more Empress 1908 Gin cocktails if you’re interested!)

The lemon juice brings zesty citrus to cut through the berry. And the maple syrup (or simple syrup) ensures every sip is balanced. 

Finally, it’s topped off with a splash of Prosecco - use Champagne if you like, but Prosecco is cheaper. 

The bubbles mellow the gin and help the flavors dance on your tongue.

As you can see, I went with martini glasses instead of flutes. And that’s just because I prefer them.

The gold decoration is optional. I chose it for the Super Bowl theme, but really, it looks terrific for every occasion.

Of course, you could serve it in a gold-rimmed glass. That would certainly be easier. I have this set of four, and they’re super pretty. 

But the glitter is so pretty, don’t you think? Just be sure to use edible glitter so it’s safe on the rim.

Ingredients

We’ve already covered most of the ingredients, and I have a complete list of what you need at the bottom.

But here’s a super quick rundown of the ingredients so you know what to expect:

• Pomegranate Juice - It’s a dark berry-flavored juice with a ton of antioxidants. It’s sweet and very strong, making it perfect for cocktails. 
• Empress 1908 Gin - I chose Empress because it’s my favorite and because the indigo color deepens the red in the drink. But you can use whatever gin you like best. Just know the color may not be as crimson red.
• Fresh Lemon Juice - Always use freshly squeezed lemons for cocktails. Trust me; it makes a world of difference. 
• Pure Maple Syrup (or Simple Syrup) - I chose maple because the naturally sweet flavor complements the lemon and pomegranate. But you can use simple syrup if you prefer. 
• Prosecco - It’s inexpensive and sweeter than Champagne but brings the same delightful fizz. And what’s a Super Bowl party without a glass of bubbly?!
• Edible Gold Glitter (optional for the rim) - If you can’t find it, skip the rim. The drink will be just as tasty without it. 

How to Make a Pomegranate 75

It may look fancy, but this drink is a cinch to make!

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Put two martini glasses into the freezer.
2. Half-fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the pomegranate juice, gin, lemon juice, and maple syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds until chilled.
4. Remove the glasses from the freezer and run a lemon wedge around the rims. Dip the glasses into the gold glitter.
5. Strain the drink into the glasses and top them up with Prosecco.
6. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Variations

This French 75 recipe is deeply flavorful and loaded with zesty bubbles. But the best part is that you can easily make it your own. 

Here’s a few of my top tips and variations:

• Use quality ingredients - that means 100% pomegranate juice for the best flavor and freshly squeezed lemon juice to avoid the synthetic taste you get from a bottle. Also, be sure to get mid-top shelf gin. If you pick something cheap, the drink won’t be as enjoyable.
• Adjust to taste - start with the recipe as it’s written, taste it, then adjust as needed. That might mean more lemon juice or another teaspoon of syrup. 
• Be gentle with the Prosecco - you want bubbles, but you don’t want to dilute the pomegranate taste. Just add a splash on top.
• Skip the booze - leave out the gin and swap the Prosecco for sparkling water.
• Add fresh fruit - muddle some berries in the cocktail shaker before adding the ice. It’ll amp up the fruity flavor.
• Change the garnish - fresh fruit, rosemary, mint, etc.