French 75

• French seventy-five

From the caliber of the shells, 75 mm (~ 3 in.). The cocktail was named after the artillery, alluding to its impact, 1920s.

French 75 (plural French 75s)

1. (military, historical) The Canon de 75 modèle 1897, an artillery piece capable of firing 75 mm shells.

   Synonym: 75

   • 1919, Benedict Crowell, America's Munitions 1917–1918‎^[1], Washington: Government Printing Office:

     The French 75 in its barrel diameter is a fraction of an inch smaller than our 3-inch gun, the exact equivalent of 75 millimeters being 2.95275 inches.

2. A cocktail made with gin, champagne, and lemon juice.
   • 1942, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, Casablanca, spoken by German officer:

     [At the bar, Yvonne and the German officer place their orders.] French seventy-fives.