How To Make Taylor Swift’s Favourite Cocktail, The French Blonde

You may not have heard of the French Blonde cocktail, but get ready to start seeing it everywhere. The tipple has gone viral lately, and it’s all because of Taylor Swift, who is reportedly a big fan of the platinum-hued drink.

According to The Washington Post, she was spotted sipping French Blondes on a recent night out with her fellow Chiefs partners at Rye restaurant in Leawood, Kansas. The restaurant’s co-owner confirmed: ‘From our understanding, [that is] her favourite cocktail.’ Surprise, surprise: the cocktail has since soared in popularity, with bars scrambling to add it to their menus. Keen to get involved? Here’s how to make your own at home.

What Is A French Blonde Cocktail?

A French Blonde is a chic cocktail made with gin, Lillet (a French aperitif), St-Germain liqueur, and grapefruit juice. It’s served short in a coupe, with a yellow hue and a fruity, bright taste that can be adapted to suit the season (for instance, by using gins with different botanicals). The lemon juice adds a slightly tart, citrusy finish, which pairs well with the sweetness of the elderflower, resulting in a refreshing taste. 

Like most cocktails, its origins are unclear, although it can’t date back that far, as one of its key ingredients, St-Germain liqueur, only launched in 2007. Some stories say it was first concocted by a French bartender in the ‘20s, who wanted to create a more ‘feminine’ version of the French 75 (which is made with gin and champagne). 

Recipe: French Blonde Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 30ml Bombay Sapphire Gin
• 15ml St-Germain elderflower liqueur
• 60ml Lillet Blanc
• 60ml fresh strained grapefruit juice
• 1 dash lemon bitters

Method:

1. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, add all the ingredients and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe to serve.
3. If you’re feeling extra fancy, garnish with a grapefruit twist!

Recipe from Bacardi UK