Hope you all had a good, slightly blurry Memorial Day weekend complete with hot dogs on the grill, a cold one in your hand and hopefully being near some body of water.

Me? I celebrated American heroism with a big bottle of Remy Martin cognac, cooking with it (cognac french toast!) and making punch. I’m keeping the French theme alive today with the French 95. Whereas the previously featured French 75 contained gin, this bad boy has Bourbon. With the sugar and sparkling wine, it’s an almost lethal combination of wonderful taste and knock-you-on-your-ass-in-style.

French 95

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz Bourbon
• 2 tsp sugar

Add these in a tall glass and stir. Fill with sparkling wine/Champagne, add a lemon wedge, orange slice and cherry. As I noted before, it’s strong; three sips and I was feeling it. This is because 1.) sparkling wine gets you drunker quicker, this is a proven fact 2.) liquor only enhances this and 3.) top it off with sugar and you’re golden. While it’s tasty, beware! This takes you straight to hangover country if you’re not careful. It’s delicious yet sophisticated, but after two you won’t be able to feel your face anymore (well, I didn’t, anyways).