The French martini is a triumph! This elegant cocktail is perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice and raspberry liqueur.
Here’s a sophisticated cocktail calling out to you: the french martini! This martini is hardly related to the classic dry martini. It’s fruity and balanced, with a chic French raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Each sip is so mesmerizing and nuanced that it’s hard to put the glass down! This one has become a favorite here. How to Make the Perfect French Martini!
What’s in a French Martini?
The French Martini is a fruity take on a vodka martini made with raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. It might seem like a classic retro cocktail, but it was invented by New York bartender Allen Katz in the 1980s. It has become something of a modern classic! This cocktail is part of the International Bartender Association’s list of official IBA cocktails. This means there is an official definition of how to do it. The ingredients of a French martini are:
- vodka
- pineapple juice
- Chambord (or other raspberry liqueur)
Don’t want to rush to Chambord? The Clover Club is a similar cocktail made with raspberry syrup and gin! Or substitute crème de cassis (currant liqueur) or crème de mure (blackberry liqueur).
How to Make a French Martini (2 Basic Steps!)
It’s so easy to make a French Martini, there’s almost nothing to do! This drink follows the basic “shake and strain” pattern for cocktails:
- Shake in a cocktail shaker. Take vodka, pineapple juice and chambord and shake them together in a shaker filled with ice. (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
- Pour into a glass and add the garnish. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a raspberry for some flair.
What is Chambord? Is it worth buying?
The French Martini is a drink for adventurous home bartenders because it requires a special ingredient: chambord! It has a beautiful gold and purple round bottle that will make you feel like a professional bartender. but what is that exactly? Here’s what you need to know:
- Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur made in France. Despite the whims of the historic-looking bottle, the brand started in the 1980s. But it’s inspired by a raspberry liqueur recipe from the 1680’s!
- How does Chambord taste? It has a rich, fruity flavor with hints of raspberry and citrus.
- How much is Chambord? A small bottle costs about $20 (in the US).
- Is it worth buying? Yes, if you’re an adventurous house mixologist! No if you are a minimalist. You can make other cocktails with Chambord, but most aren’t classics. Make it into a Chambord champagne cocktail or try it with champagne and sparkling water as a spritz.
More martini recipes: dry and flavored!
The French Martini is a flavored martini: nothing like a classic! The classic martini is made with gin and dry vermouth. It’s extremely dry and can be polarizing for some. Flavored martinis are a modern invention: built on vodka martini. Most of them leave out the vermouth…so they’re not martinis at all! Here are some of our favorite martini recipes, both classic and flavored:
French cocktails
If you like a French martini, you might like these France-inspired cocktails! Here is some additional information:
- French Gimlet A French version of the Gimlet! Three ingredients (St. Germain, lime and gin) come together for a refreshing and chic cocktail.
- Equal parts French Connection Cognac and Amaretto create a sophisticated slow-sipper! Dubbed for the 1970s film of the same name.
- French 75 Cocktail A classic cocktail based on gin, lemon and champagne!
When to serve a French martini
This French martini is a sophisticated, high-end cocktail. It’s great like:
- signature drink
- Happy hour drink
- Drink at dinner
- Late night drinks
- Evening drink between boys or between girls
- Aperitif at aperitif time
The description
The French martini is a triumph! This elegant cocktail is perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice and raspberry liqueur.
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) vodka
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) pineapple juice
- ½ ounce (1 tbsp) Chambord* or other raspberry liqueur
- For the filling: raspberry (optional)
- Pour the vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord into a shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a raspberry if you like.
- Category: drink
- Method: Shocked
- Kitchen: cocktails
- Diet: vegan
More vodka cocktails
Here are some more of the best vodka cocktails to use up the rest of the bottle:
- Vodka Gimlet A twist on the classic Gin Gimlet with a smoother taste! It contains only three ingredients: vodka, lime and syrup.
- Vodka Tonic or Vodka Soda These two-ingredient cocktails are sparkling, lemony and refreshing.
- Vodka Sour A classic sparkling cocktail: a refreshing sweet torte topped with a fluffy egg white mousse.
- Classic Moscow Mule vodka, lime and ginger beer in a copper mug. Try all the variations!
