An earthy, agave-forward take on a classic, the Mexican 75 is a refreshing and effervescent libation.
The clouds below me were thick, fluffy blankets of seemingly impenetrable cotton, stretching for miles in every direction. I was alone in my Sopwith Camel, the wind biting at my face as it roared in my ears in unison with the growl of the Clerget 9B. The beauty of the sky around me juxtaposed with the fear in the pit of my stomach. Somehow, I had become lost in the wild, blue yonder, and was quickly running low on fuel. And all I could see beneath me was a cumulus sea.
I throttled the plane forward and down, having no choice but to find somewhere to land, and to hopefully figure out where I’ve ended up. Refueling would be nice, as would a stiff cocktail and a long rest. After tense moments barreling through obscuring and blinding blasts of water and ice crystals, there was the land below. And in the middle of the desert I found myself flying over, there was one lone building. I had no choice, so I pointed the Camel toward it.
After a fairly bumpy landing, I pulled my craft up to the front of the old, rickety structure, seeing a sign above that declared “COCKTAILS… INQUIRE WITHIN”. Moments later, I was doing just that.
I was alone in this place, save for a tall glass of what looked to be champagne. I must’ve been hallucinating, but being too thirsty to care, I quickly grabbed it and took a long, glorious quaff. Champagne, yes, but also tequila and the sharp, tangy zip of lime as well, carried by an earthy, grassy sweetness. I’ve had a French 75 or two during my rowdy, Parisian days, and this was an inspired and satisfying take on that.
Where I was, and how I’d get home, still proved to be a mystery. At least I have something to sip on as I try to solve it.
What is the best tequila to use in a Mexican 75 cocktail?
The preferred option for the spirit base in this drink is a clear and clean-tasting blanco tequila. Unaged, peppery and with earthy, grassy and agave-forward notes, this style will mix beautifully with the champagne, lime juice and sweetener, resulting in a balanced tipple.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave nectar
- 3 ounces champagne or sparkling wine chilled
- Lime twist for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar. Shake well.
- Strain into a chilled flute glass and gently pour the chilled champagne over the top.
- Express the oils from a lime peel over the drink and drop it in as a garnish.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Some long-stemmed, slender champagne glasses are an excellent choice to drink this cocktail out of. Keep hold of that stem as you sip instead of the glass itself, which will keep your drink colder longer. Garnish with a lime peel.
What is a good champagne to use in this cocktail?
Be it champagne, sparkling wine, prosecco or cava, you’ll want a crisp and extra dry brut to top your drink off with. This will help ensure a nice, balanced mixture, and you don’t want something that’ll make your drink too sweet.
Similar cocktails to the Mexican 75
You have some friends coming over, and part of the fun you’re looking forward to having is a few alcoholic beverages to sip on as everyone laughs and enjoys each other’s company. But what will you serve? Pull out some elegant flutes—glasses, that is—and fill them up with a few of these sparkly beverages.
- Cognac French 75 – An elevated and full-bodied version of the bubbly original.
- French 76 – Vodka and prosecco combine in this crisp and bubbly concoction.
- French 77 – St-Germain makes this sipper sweet, fresh and floral.
- Tom Collins – If you swap out the champagne in a French 75 for club soda, you get this legendary tipple.
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