Nonalcoholic French 75

By Rebekah Peppler

Updated May 18, 2022

Nonalcoholic French 75
Jenny Huang for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Susie Theodorou; Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks.
Rating
4(908)
Comments
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Pull out your finest coupe or Nick and Nora glass for this tart, nonalcoholic take on the French 75, ideal for nondrinkers and those taking a night (or week, or month, or year) off drinking. The key to the drink’s complexity is in the sweet bay-peppercorn shrub, a rich-in-flavor, make-ahead base that lasts, stored in the refrigerator, up to one month.

Featured in: A French 75 for Everyone

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Ingredients

Yield:1 cocktail
  • Ice
  • 1ounce Sweet Bay-Peppercorn Shrub
  • ½ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 3dashes orange bitters (optional; see Tip)
  • 2ounces soda water
  • 1ounce dry tonic water
  • Lemon twist
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

20 calories; 0 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 4 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 0 grams protein; 16 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine the Sweet Bay-Peppercorn Shrub, lemon juice and bitters, if using. Cover and shake until well chilled. Strain into a Nick and Nora or coupe glass, and top with soda water and tonic. Finish with the lemon twist.

Tip
  • Most bitters have a small amount of alcohol and, while very diluted, make sure whomever you’re making a drink for is OK with this addition, or skip entirely.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
908 user ratings
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Comments

Patches

We really enjoyed this.... The non-alcoholic version was actually better than a version I made using champagne in a more standard French 75 configuration. I agree with the concern about too much sugar and was thinking about alternatives, but the sugar itself seems essential to drawing the oils out of the rinds when making the shrub. The blend of the herbs and the citrus oil and the cloves is subtly spicy and lovely. Thank you n y t!

Scott

Good, but to make it REALLY good you have to almost double the peppercorns, bay leaf, and cloves. As written, they just get obliterated by the citrus.

Divine

San Pellegrino and other Italian companies make non-alcoholic bitters. Check with your local Italian grocer.

Jenn

Used less than a cup of sugar, doubled the spices and added juniper berries. I used sparkling water and bitters only because I didn’t want citrus to overpower and didn’t want even more sweet from the tonic. It still just tasted like a really delicious lemonade. Not a bad thing but I will try again and go even heavier on the spices.

Mary

This was very good. I added juniper berries to get more gin flavour and will add more of the herbs and spices and try less sugar next time. It keeps well and makes a nice refreshing drink with plain soda water added. Would love more recipes like this.

Emily

Made this exactly as written and loved it. This is maybe my favorite non-alcoholic cocktail I’ve tried. It has a really nice flavor with the peppercorns that gives a little bite to feel more like an alcoholic cocktail. Very easy to make, just need resting time for the shrub (a weekend recipe for me). Definitely will make again and again.

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