French Martini

The French martini is a triumph! This classy cocktail is perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur.

Here’s a sophisticated cocktail that’s calling your name: the French martini! This martini is hardly related to the classic dry martini at all. It’s a fruity and balanced, featuring a fancy French black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Each sip is so intriguing and nuanced, it’s hard to put the glass down! This one’s become a favorite over here. Here’s how to make the perfect French martini!

What’s in a French martini?

The French martini is a fruity spin on a vodka martini made with raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. It might seem like a retro classic cocktail, but it was invented in the 1980’s by New York bartender Allen Katz. It’s gone on to become a sort of modern classic! This cocktail makes the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. That means it has an official definition of how to make it. The ingredients in a French martini are:

• Vodka
• Pineapple juice
• Chambord (or other raspberry liqueur)

Don’t want to spring for Chambord? The Clover Club is a similar cocktail made with raspberry syrup and gin! Or substitute crème de cassis (black currant liqueur) or crème de mure (blackberry liqueur).

How to make a French martini

It’s so easy to make a French martini, there’s barely anything to it! This drink follows the basic “shake and strain” model for cocktails (or go right to the recipe):

1. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Take the vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord, and shake it together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
2. Strain into a glass and add garnish. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a raspberry for a little flair.

What is Chambord?

The French martini requires a special ingredient: Chambord! It’s got a beautiful gold and purple round bottle that makes you feel like a professional bartender. But what exactly is it?

• Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur made in France. Despite the fancy historic looking bottle, the brand started in the 1980’s. But it was inspired by a raspberry liqueur recipe from the the 1680’s, so it’s got historic roots.
• What does Chambord taste like? The flavor is rich and fruity, with strong raspberry notes and hints of citrus.
• How much does Chambord cost? A small bottle costs about $20 (in the US).
• Is it worth buying? Yes, if you’re an adventurous home mixologist! No if you’re a minimalist. Other ideas for Chambord cocktails? Make Chambord and Champagne, substitute it in the Kir Royale, or try it with Prosecco and soda water as a Chambord spritz.

More martini recipes

The French martini is nothing like the classic dry martini, made with gin and dry vermouth. Flavored martinis are a modern invention built on the vodka martini. Most of them drop the vermouth, so they’re hardly a martini at all: more an excuse to drink a fruity vodka cocktail! Here are some of our favorite martini recipes:

• The Dirty Martini uses olive juice to round out the sip with a briny tang.
• The Vesper Martini was invented by James Bond, it’s become a true classic with Lillet Blanc, gin, and vodka.
• Jewel-toned Pomegranate Martini and Watermelon Martini are perfect fruity variations.
• The Lemon Drop Martini, Limoncello Martini and Key Lime Martini are zingy and full of citrus brightness.
• The Espresso Martini and Coffee Martini star coffee, Kahlua, and vodka.
• The Cucumber Martini is a crisp, cool take with the refreshing scent of this veggie.

Other French cocktails

If you love a French martini, you might like these France-inspired cocktails! Here are a few more to know:

• French Gimlet A French spin on the gimlet! Three ingredients (St Germain, lime and gin) combine make a refreshing and chic cocktail.
• French Connection Equal parts Cognac and amaretto make a sophisticated slow-sipper! Dubbed for the 1970’s movie of the same name.
• French 75 Cocktail A classic cocktail made with gin, lemon and champagne!

01

French Gimlet

02

French Connection Cocktail

03

French 75 Cocktail

04

12 Famous French Drinks & Cocktails

When to serve a French martini

This French martini is a sophisticated upscale cocktail. It’s great as a:

• Signature drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

Print

More vodka cocktails

Here are more of the best vodka cocktails to use up the rest of the bottle:

• Vodka Gimlet A variation on the classic gin gimlet with a smoother flavor! It’s got just three ingredients: vodka, lime and syrup.
• Vodka Tonic or Vodka Soda These two-ingredient cocktails are bubbly, citrusy, and refreshing.
• Vodka Sour A classic sour cocktail: refreshingly sweet tart with a frothy egg white foam on top.
• Classic Moscow Mule Vodka, lime and ginger beer in a copper mug. Try all the variations!