The Etude French 75 with Blanc de Noirs and XO Brandy

Serves: 1 (scales easily) | Active Time: 5 mins | Tasting Room Exclusive: Etude XO Brandy

TL;DR: An Etude twist on the classic French 75 cocktail, substituting gin with Etude's tasting room exclusive XO Brandy and simple syrup with local Sonoma lavender honey, topped with Etude Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine. Three ingredients, one glass, five minutes. Pairs with brunch dishes, charcuterie, brie, shrimp cocktail, and dark chocolate desserts. The Blanc de Noirs is a small-production estate sparkling wine from Grace Benoist Ranch in Carneros, made by Jon Priest from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and available in limited quantities exclusively at the winery.

A French Classic with an Etude Character

The French 75 is one of the most elegant cocktails in the canon. Gin, lemon, sugar, and champagne, shaken cold and served in a flute. It has been made the same way since the 1920s.

Our version keeps the spirit of the original and changes two things: the gin becomes Etude's tasting room exclusive XO Brandy, and the simple syrup becomes local Sonoma lavender honey. The result is something richer, more aromatic, and distinctly of this place.

At a Glance

What Is a French 75?

A French 75 is a champagne cocktail traditionally made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling wine. It was named after the French 75mm field gun used in World War I, a nod to its punch. It has remained a staple of classic cocktail culture for over a century.

Etude's version uses XO Brandy in place of gin, bringing a warmer, fruit-forward depth to the base, and Sonoma lavender honey in place of simple syrup, adding a floral, aromatic sweetness that complements the Blanc de Noirs beautifully.

Ingredients (per serving)

• 1.5 oz Etude XO Brandy (tasting room exclusive)
• 3 oz Etude Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs, well chilled
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz Sonoma lavender honey
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions

1. Add honey, lemon juice, and Etude XO Brandy to a champagne flute.
2. Stir gently until the honey fully dissolves. The honey needs a moment more than simple syrup to incorporate.
3. Top with 3 oz of chilled Blanc de Noirs, pouring slowly against the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist, expressed over the glass before dropping it in.
5. Serve immediately.

Note: If making for a group, pre-mix the brandy, honey, and lemon juice in a small pitcher and stir until the honey dissolves. Pour into individual flutes and top each with Blanc de Noirs to order.

Food Pairings

This cocktail is more versatile than it might appear. The brandy base adds warmth and complexity that bridges both savory and sweet.

• Brunch: French toast, eggs Benedict, savory pastries. The honey sweetness and citrus lift make it an elegant alternative to a mimosa.
• Early evening: Melted brie and crackers, charcuterie, shrimp cocktail. The Blanc de Noirs' fruit character and the brandy's depth complement both rich and briny flavors.
• Dessert: Dark chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, cocoa-forward desserts. The bitterness of dark chocolate is a natural counterpoint to the honey sweetness and the wine's bright fruit.

The Wine: Etude Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs

The Etude Blanc de Noirs is a dream that Jon Priest spent years bringing to life. It is a white sparkling wine made from estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Grace Benoist Ranch in the Carneros AVA, produced in very small quantities and available exclusively at the Etude tasting room.

Blanc de Noirs takes its name from the French term meaning "white from blacks," a reference to the fact that Pinot Noir, despite having dark skins, produces clear juice when pressed quickly. The wine retains the body, texture, and red fruit character of Pinot Noir while presenting as a white sparkling wine, bringing more depth and presence to a cocktail than a lighter Champagne-style sparkling would.

In this French 75, that presence matters. The brandy and honey need a sparkling wine with enough character to hold its own, and the Blanc de Noirs delivers it.

FAQs: Etude French 75

What makes this French 75 different from a classic version?
Two substitutions: Etude XO Brandy replaces gin, and Sonoma lavender honey replaces simple syrup. Brandy brings a warmer, fruit-forward base that complements sparkling wine differently than gin does. Lavender honey adds a floral, aromatic sweetness that makes the drink feel more distinctive and regionally specific.

Where can I buy the Etude XO Brandy?
The XO Brandy is a tasting room exclusive, available only at the Etude winery in Napa Valley. Visit etudewines.com/pages/tastings to plan a visit.

What is Blanc de Noirs?
Blanc de Noirs is a sparkling wine made from red-skinned grapes, typically Pinot Noir, pressed quickly so the juice runs clear rather than picking up color from the skins. Etude's Blanc de Noirs is made from estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown at Grace Benoist Ranch in Carneros and is available in limited quantities exclusively at the tasting room.

Can I substitute a different sparkling wine if I cannot visit the tasting room?
Any dry, high-quality sparkling wine will work as a substitute. Look for a Blanc de Noirs or a Brut with good acidity and some body. Avoid sweet or off-dry sparkling wines, which will make the cocktail overly sweet given the honey already in the build.

Can I make this cocktail without the lavender honey?
Yes. Regular honey or simple syrup both work. The lavender honey adds a floral, aromatic dimension that is part of what makes this version distinctly Etude's, but the cocktail is still excellent with a more neutral sweetener.

Plan a visit to the Etude tasting room at etudewines.com/pages/tastings.

Enjoy responsibly. Pour & Protect.