When I think of New Orleans, I think of Mardi Gras. When I think of Mardi Gras, I think of PARTY, PARTY, PARTY! Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is the last day to celebrate and indulge in food and drink before Ash Wednesday kicks off the fasting season of Lent. Leslie of La Cocina de Leslie is hosting today’s #SundaySupper Fat Sunday event! Hmmm, would that make it Dimanche Gras? Regardless, this is about as close to a real Mardi Gras celebration as I’m gonna get. One of these days I’m going to make my way to The Big Easy!
It ain’t a Mardi Gras celebration without a few cocktails. The French 75 was named after the powerful French field gun that was used in World War I. Its origins, however, differ depending on who you ask. English versions use gin, but there’s no dispute that the classic New Orleans version includes cognac.
Santé et laissez les bons temps rouler!
(Cheers and let the good times roll!)
The French 75 #SundaySupper
Ingredients
- 2 ounces VSOP cognac
- 1 ounce lemon simple syrup recipe below
- Sparkling wine
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cognac, lemon simple syrup, and shake well. Strain into a martini glass, top with sparkling wine and serve. Cheers!
Lemon Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- Zest from 1 small lemon
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 lemons
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat sugar, zest, and lemon juice over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil.
- Pour through a fine sieve or strainer into a jar or bowl, and discard solids. Let cook completely.
- Syrup can be refrigerated, airtight, up to 1 month.
Notes
Here’s what the rest of the #SundaySupper party people are bringing to Fat Sunday!
Cocktails & Other Beverages:
- The Hurricane Cocktail Recipe from An Appealing Plan
- The French 75 from Kimchi MOM
- Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Appetizers:
- Fried Oysters and Remoulade from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Shrimp in Mustard Sauce from Noshing With The Nolands
- Mini Sweet Potato Pies from MealDiva
- Cajun Crab Beignets from Delaware Girl Eats
- Pancetta and Mushroom Arancini from Ruffles & Truffles
Main Dishes:
- Creole Shrimp Po Boy Recipe from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo from Supper for a Steal
- Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya from Yours And Mind Are Ours
- Vegan Pizza Waffles from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
- Red Beans and Rice from Cookin’ Mimi
- Baked Catfish Po’Boy from Curious Cuisiniere
- Muffaletta from Casa de Crews
- Bayou Seafood and Andouille Jambalaya from The Weekend Gourmet
- Seafood Gumbo from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Cajun Rice & Beans from Momma’s Meals
- Creole Celery Root Bisque (with Lobster) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Louisiana Roasted Barbecue Shrimp from Food Lust People Love
- Cajun Dirty Rice Bowls from The Dinner-Mom
- New Orleans Fried Chicken from Family Foodie
Side Dishes:
- Baked Endive and Pears in Blue Cream Sauce from Shockingly Delicious
- Okra Creole from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Desserts:
- Banana Creme Pie with Honey Whipped Cream and Pecan Brittle from The Foodie Patootie
- Chocolate Ganache Tart from Melanie Makes
- Banana Bread Pudding from Gotta Get Baked
- Delicious Saffron Baked Beignets from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- New Orleans Bread Pudding with Caramel Whiskey Sauce from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Polish Paczki from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Buttermilk Beignets from The Messy Baker
- Eggless Bread Pudding in a Jar from What Smells So Good?
- Mint Julep Bars from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Mardi Gras Cupcakes w/ Cinnamon Frostingfrom Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Mardi Gras Long Johns from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Mexican Chocolate Coffee Cake from La Cocina de Leslie
- Fasnetküchle from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Cheesecake Swirl Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pecan and Chocolate Pralines from Desserts Required
- Chocolate Raspberry Cake from Clarks Condensed
- Baked Coconut Beignets from Mess Makes Food
- Ravioli dolci di Carnevale from Manu’s Menu
- Strawberry Paczki from Neighborfood
- Blackberry Fritters from girlichef
- Brownie Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from Magnolia Days
- Flourless Chocolate Cake in a Mug w/ Coconut Cream from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pecan Bars from Pies and Plots
- “Skinny Tuesday” Bananas Foster Cheesecake Parfaits from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Mocha Pear Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Skinny Baked Beignets from Daily Dish Recipes
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Oh yummmm! I’d love one of those please! Your pictures are just splendid!!
Thank you!
Wow, what an elegant cocktail! It looks DELISH!
Thanks Liz!
Yum! I love anything lemon so I know I’d love this!
This lemon simple syrup is out of this world!
I love cognac in a cocktail, it so surprisingly delicious and would pair lovely with the lemon syrup!!
Very refreshing!
I hope to get to Mardi Gras someday, too! Until then, I’ll just pretend at home with this tasty cocktail 🙂
love this cocktail!!
Gorgeous cocktail! I will take two please.
I never heard of French-75 but it sounds so light and perfect! I am going to try this drink! Thank you so much for sharing!
simple and delicious! This looks amazing!
Oh that simple syrup sounds so good, as does the cocktail. I needed a simple syrup the other day and I think it would have been better with lemon added to it so need to remember that for next time.
I have never heard of this drink before. Where the heck have I been? It sounds great and I love your photos–simple but striking.
What a beautiful color it is, Amy! I’m a fan of cognac and I’m always looking for an opportunity to bring out my martini glasses which were a gift from my daughters. Gotta try this one!
My glasses have been sitting in my cabinet for a few years. I had to give them a good wash before serving this cocktail! 🙂 So yes, it’s a great opportunity to use those martini glasses!
Let the good times roll! How in the heck did you get such an amazing color – it’s stunning.
Thanks Heather!
Your photography is so amazing that I am thinking I just took a sip!
Cheers Isabel!!
What a simple yet beautiful cocktail, I love the color!
Thanks Shaina!
I love a good cognac in a drink! This looks beautiful and yummy! 🙂
Now this is my kind of cocktail. Perfect!
What a pretty, sunshine cocktail! I bet it really zings!
This would be perfect for an Academy Awards party I’m going to tonight! Love it!
I don’t think I’ve had a French 75 but it sounds great. Love the lemon simple syrup.
This is perfect for a grown up mardi gras party! Thanks so much for sharing.
A lemon cocktail sounds so good right about now!
Mmm, I can get behind this cocktail for sure.
I have this cocktail on my must-make list. It sounds divine!
Oh this sounds so refreshing! New Orleans is on my bucket list too. I hope to visit during Mardi Gras and again when it’s not during Mardi Gras. Someday 🙂
You had me at sparkling wine! This looks so glamorous!
Thanks Melanie!
This looks so fresh and inviting — can’t wait to try!
I’ve never heard of these before but now I HAVE to try.
Now I’m seriously wondering why I have never had a French 75. It looks like something I would very much enjoy sipping.
Hey Ames, is this called the French 75 because you can’t stop until you’ve had 75 in a row? Cause I’m kinda up for the challenge. This looks delicious!
Perfect for Mardi Gras! Cheers!
This looks delicious. I love anything lemony.
My grandparents came back from NOLA years ago RAVING about this. Thanks!