How to Make a French Blonde: Is This Really Taylor Swift’s Favorite Cocktail?

If Taylor Swift orders a cocktail, you can pretty much guarantee people are going to want to know what is in it. That is exactly what happened to the French Blonde, a combination of gin, Lillet Blanc, St-Germain, fresh grapefruit juice and lemon bitters.

Taylor may have put it back in the spotlight, but the French Blonde is worth making in its own right. It’s fresh and citrusy, with floral elderflower, botanical gin and just enough bitterness from the grapefruit to keep everything balanced.

Is the French Blonde Really Taylor Swift’s Favorite Cocktail?

The story began in December 2023, when Taylor Swift went to Rye restaurant in Leawood, Kansas, with Brittany Mahomes and friends. According to restaurant co-owner Megan Garrelts, Swift ordered a French Blonde, and Garrelts later said that, from their understanding, it was her favorite cocktail.

The version served at Rye was made with Tom’s Town Botanical Gin, Lillet Blanc, fresh grapefruit juice, St-Germain and thyme.

So, did Taylor Swift personally declare to the world that the French Blonde was her favorite cocktail? No. Did she order one and subsequently send the drink flying around the internet? Absolutely.

What Is in a French Blonde Cocktail?

You need just five ingredients.

Gin provides the botanical base. I would choose a good dry gin rather than anything overly floral, since the St-Germain is already taking care of that side of things. You can find more ideas for that bottle among my gin cocktail recipes.

Lillet Blanc is a French wine-based aperitif with citrus, floral and lightly bitter notes. Remember that it is wine-based, so keep the bottle refrigerated after opening.

St-Germain brings sweetness and its unmistakable elderflower character. A little goes a long way.

Fresh grapefruit juice provides the tartness and slight bitterness that stops the cocktail becoming too sweet. This is one occasion when freshly squeezed juice really does make a difference.

Lemon bitters sharpen the citrus flavors and help pull everything together.

What Does the French Blonde Taste Like?

The French Blonde is fresh, floral and citrus-forward without tasting overly sweet. Grapefruit is the first thing you notice, followed by the botanicals of the gin and floral elderflower. Lillet Blanc rounds everything out, while the lemon bitters add another little citrus kick.

If you enjoy lighter gin cocktails, especially those with a slightly bitter edge, this should be right up your street. Have a look at my gin cocktail recipes for more ideas.

Tips for Making the Best French Blonde

Squeeze the grapefruit yourself. Fresh juice gives the drink the acidity and brightness it needs.

Don’t be too generous with the St-Germain. Elderflower can quickly overpower everything else in the glass, so stick to the recipe rather than giving it an enthusiastic extra pour.

Chill your glass. There is no ice in the finished cocktail, so starting with a cold coupe or Nick & Nora keeps it at its best for longer.

Give it a proper shake. Unlike spirit-forward cocktails such as the Brooklyn, the French Blonde contains fresh juice and should be shaken rather than stirred.

FAQs

When was the French Blonde invented?

Surprisingly, the origins of the French Blonde aren’t particularly well documented. You’ll find claims that it dates back to the 1920s as well as suggestions that it is a much more modern cocktail, but there isn’t enough solid evidence to confidently give it a creator and date.

It shouldn’t be confused with the Parisian Blonde in Harry Craddock’s 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book, which is an entirely different drink made with rum, curaçao and cream.

Can I make a French Blonde without St-Germain?

You can use another good elderflower liqueur, but I wouldn’t leave the elderflower component out completely. It’s one of the flavors that gives the French Blonde its distinctive character.

What is the best garnish for a French Blonde?

A grapefruit twist is perfect because it reinforces the fresh grapefruit in the cocktail without adding another flavor. Express the oils over the surface before dropping the peel into the glass.

Why A Lush Life Loves It

I’ll admit that the Taylor Swift connection got my attention, but the cocktail itself is what would make me order another. I love that slight bitterness from the grapefruit against the floral St-Germain and botanical gin. It also looks far more sophisticated than the amount of effort involved would suggest. Five ingredients, one shaker and a few minutes later, you have a rather fabulous cocktail.

If Taylor wants to send any more cocktail recommendations our way, I’m listening.

For more drinks to make at home, head over to my Cocktail Recipes and find your next one.

Here is the Recipe