Episode 136: The French 75 and New Orleans, with Chris Hannah

The French 75 is a classic celebratory cocktail, topped with sparkling wine and based on the fortifying flavor of gin. Or is it Cognac? The gin version has long circulated as the standard, but New Orleans bartender Chris Hannah has given the cocktail fresh life with a Cognac foundation. From his first work with the cocktail at Arnaud’s French 75 bar to his current position as a partner at Jewel of the South, Hannah has not only put his own imprint on the cocktail, but made it into a New Orleans favorite. Hannah joins us to explore the French 75’s modern evolution, and to walk us through his approach to mixing the cocktail.

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