When you think of the French lifestyle, laid-back sophistication is perhaps the most appropriate way to describe it, whether you are picturing the luxurious French Riviera or the unique character of Paris.

Therefore it is no surprise that the French enjoy a drink, especially a cocktail – the ultimate symbol of relaxed luxury. Here are the top 4 cocktails to come from France…

French 75

This particular cocktail has been around since before World War II and French soldiers have been drinking it for decades. It was created in 1915 in the Paris landmark, Harry’s Bar, by barman Harry MacElhone, and it is said to have such a kick that it felt like being shelled with the powerful French 75mm field gun. It consists of 1 oz gin, 1 oz Cointreau, a squeeze of lime, 1 sugar cube, and is topped off with champagne.

French Sidecar

There are mixed ideas of the exact origins of this drink, but it is thought to have been invented around the end of the Second World War. It is very popular in France and apparently became famous in Harry’s Bar in Paris, however The Ritz Hotel in Paris also claims to be the birth place of the Sidecar. It is made from ¾ oz Cointreau, ¾ oz Cognac, and sometimes a dash of lemon juice. It is served in a sugar-rimmed glass and is often garnished with a strip of lemon rind.

Rose Cocktail

A Parisian favourite from the 1920s, the Rose was popular in France during the height of the Art Deco movement. It is featured on the IBA’s (International Bartender Association) list of official cocktails as a pre-dinner cocktail. It contains 2 oz French Vermouth, 1 oz Kirschwasser (a cherry brandy) and 1 teaspoon of raspberry syrup. It is best to shake the cocktail with ice cubes and pure into a glass. It is then usually garnished with a cherry.

Kir

This popular French cocktail is usually drunk as an aperitif before a meal or snack. It is named after Félix Kir – a former mayor of Dijon in Burgundy who was a pioneer of the twinning movement after WWII. He also popularised the drink by offering it at receptions to visiting delegations. When ordering a Kir in France, the waiter will sometimes ask if you would prefer it with Créme de Cassis de mûre (blackcurrant) or de pêche (peach). It is 9 parts white wine, and 1 part Créme de Cassis (Blackcurrant liqueur).