Cooking Lesson #1181: French Blonde Cocktail

…from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar

How you doin’? Is it true, blondes have more fun?  Did you know only about 2 percent of the world’s population is naturally blonde? Yet somehow, blonde hair has historically dominated the beauty industry.
 
Transformations have been framed as brighter, bolder and, according to a phrase that refuses to die, a lot more fun.
 
Most women (and some men) enjoy the experience of a cape clasped around their neck, a comfortable chair, and soft music playing. You snag one last peek at your reflection, knowing it won’t be the same when you return.
 
Maybe today is the time to go blonde. Whether it’s the promise of a summer glow-up or the idea of ultimate reinvention, it seems that blondness has always captivated our attention.
 
When asked about the “fun blonde” cliché (I think it’s mostly a myth) we’d be lying if we said there wasn’t a little something to it. Color brands have turned blonde hair into a persona embodying confident, carefree femininity. And you could be her, too, with just a little color!
 
This can largely be traced back to Marilyn Monroe, whose platinum locks helped define the “blonde bombshell” image in the 1950s. Even now, in 2026, blonde is still seen as a form of reinvention, and the allure of going blonde lingers.
 
But outside of media and marketing, the decision to go blonde is much more personal. Sometimes it’s about reinvention—leaving the salon (or the bathroom) looking nothing like you did when you walked in. Sometimes it’s tied to life changes: a breakup, a new job, or simply wanting something different and craving a change.
 
Personally, I don’t think blondes are inherently more fun—but in a lot of cases, it boosts people’s confidence, especially since blonde is still seen as the beauty standard by many. It is the perception of confidence is reinforced by what we see online. Around 90 percent of those who go blonde choose to stick with it.
 
So why not go for a French Blonde?... cocktail, that is. Actually, it’s more of a pale pink cocktail in coupe glass with grapefruit slice on rim. The French Blonde Cocktail is a modern spring classic that leans into citrus and soft florals. The French Blonde Cocktail appears to be composed yet it’s easy to execute at home.

Prep time:  3 minutes
Yield:  1 cocktail
 
Ingredients 
1 ounce gin (in this cocktail I prefer Bombay Sapphire Gin)
3/4 ounce St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc Aperitif
1-1/2 ounces fresh strained grapefruit juice
1 dash lemon bitters
Grapefruit slice or twist for garnish
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Pour all ingredients (except the garnish) into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well and strain into a coupe glass.
4. Garnish with a grapefruit slice or twist.

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ChefSecret:  While I usually favor Hendrick’s Gin, with the mixture of florals and botanicals, this cocktail is best suited with Bombay Safire Gin.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. Why did the blonde nurse bring a red marker to work?  A. In case she had to draw blood.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well and be kind. No matter which side of the aisle you reside, please say a prayer for the U.S. men and women in uniform who protect this nation every day. And if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission, Samaritan’s Purse and/or American Red Cross.

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