The french 45 is pretty much the quintessential cocktail. It gives me all the rat pack, speakeasy feels. Gin, brut champs, modernized up a bit with cucumber and rosemary instead of just lemon. Simple syrup brings it all together.

This is the drink you serve to friends. This is the drink that makes new years eve the party to be remembered when you don’t just want to serve straight champagne.

Plus, it has bubbles, and you know how I feel about bubbles, year round.

Ingredients:

1/2 large cucumber, sliced

2 lemons, ends removed, sliced

juice from lemon ends

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

3/4 cup gin

1 1/2 bottles brut champagne

2 sprigs rosemary

1 can le croix limoncello sparkling water

Directions:

Place cucumber and lemon slices in a large pitcher.

Combine water and sugar in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil, whisking to combine until sugar dissolves. Set aside simple syrup to cool.

Add gin and cooled simple syrup to sliced lemon and cucumbers. Stir to combine.

Add bottle of brut champagne to gin mixture, and stir. Add rosemary sprigs. Set aside in fridge for 4-6 hours.

Add rest of champagne, stir to combine. Pour into individual champagne glasses, and top with float of sparkling water limonchello.