This Kentucky 75 is a great way to kick off the new year with a bang! If you’re a bourbon-lover who fancies a Champagne cocktail, this is the one.
Good riddance, 2020! Hello, 2021! I can’t be the only one out there who is ready for this year to peace-out, right? Don’t get me wrong, I had one of the best/strangest years ever, but I think I can speak for all of us when saying, please GTFO 2020. To give this year a proper send-off, I concocted this Kentucky 75 that’ll hopefully have you forgetting all the bad things that happened this year and dancing the night away in your living room.
One of my favorite classic cocktails is the French 75, which is a combination of gin, Champagne, sugar, and lemon juice. I decided to give it a Kentucky twist by using bourbon instead of gin and adding a few dashes of angostura bitters for a Manhattan-style vibe. The combination of ingredients is a stellar way to ring in the new year if you ask me.
I have a lot of big plans for this coming year, a couple of which I can’t share yet. But I definitely have goals that I would love to work towards. One of my big resolutions for 2021 is to spend more time offline. I feel like my phone/computer takes over my life sometimes and I would love to limit how much time I spend on the screens.
If you’ve had this same problem and found a way to disconnect, I would love to hear about it! It’s hard with my job because a large portion of it is social media, but I know that there’s a way to do it without sacrificing my presence.
What goals do you have for 2021? I love finding unique ways to better myself and would love to hear what you have planned. I hope you have a festive and SAFE New Year’s!
Try my Blushing Bouquet Tom Collins for another fun NYE cocktail!

Kentucky 75
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup*
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Chilled Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco
Instructions
Pour bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters in a champagne glass or a similarly sized cocktail glass. Stir gently and top with Champagne, Cava, or Prosecco. (I used Prosecco) Garnish with a candied or fresh lemon slice.
Notes
To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat just until the sugar is dissolved and use for all of your cocktail needs. For this recipe, I actually used a brown sugar simple syrup which paired very nicely with the bourbon.
J-Man50
Tuesday 8th of November 2022
This is a great cocktail that I was introduced to in NOLA. To make it even better, IMHO, substitute orange juice for the lemon juice and an orange wheel for the garnish.
Paige
Tuesday 15th of November 2022
Yes! What a great place to be introduced to this drink. Also, I LOVE those substitutions, sounds like something I'll need to try!
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Friday 3rd of September 2021
[…] Kentucky 75 […]
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Thursday 13th of June 2019
[…] you’ve got heard of a French 75, the Kentucky 75 places a spin on this champagne-based cocktail by incorporating bourbon as a substitute of […]
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Monday 3rd of December 2018
[…] These Kentucky 75’s are a grownup treat with flavors you are sure to love! This New Years food idea is guaranteed to please at your holiday gathering! Get Recipe Here. […]
Lilly Gorman
Saturday 30th of December 2017
I love a cocktail recipe that's simple and delicious. Can't wait to try this one!
Paige
Saturday 30th of December 2017
I hear ya. I hope you enjoy and Happy New Years!