The French 75 cocktail dates back to WWI. The number is a reference to the highly effective French 75 mm field gun employed during the ongoing war.

The name was more than just a jest at the drink's potency. The cannon was developed in the late 19th century and became a symbolic source of pride.

Close to the active frontlines, Paris bars were in full swing at the time. The cocktail name emerged as a token of national pride in precisely such a drinking context.

The first noted French 75 recipe meshed together equal parts of gin, grenadine, and applejack, all finished with some lemon juice.

Today's French 75 does pack quite a punch, building a shot of gin, lemon juice and simple syrup, then topping the mixture with a dry champagne.