This French martini recipe pairs vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice for a sweet tart, balanced cocktail. Here’s how to make this fruity drink in just 5 minutes!
There’s something about sipping a French martini that feels so sophisticated. The first time I tasted this drink it surprised me: this classic cocktail is fruity and balanced, made with a French black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice.
Since then, I’ve perfected my own recipe to make at home. I love how complex it tastes by just shaking three ingredients together! Here’s how to make a French martini.
Key Ingredients 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 Prohibition era classic cocktail, but it was invented in the 1980’s by New York bartender Allen Katz: so it’s considered a modern classic.
This cocktail makes the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, so it has an official definition. The ingredients in a French martini are:
- Vodka (2 oz): I use a mid-range vodka here (I usually use Tito’s).
- Pineapple juice (1 oz): Good-quality bottled juice works perfectly fine.
- Chambord (½ oz): This French black raspberry liqueur is the star ingredient. The flavor is rich, complex, and raspberry-forward.
Pro tip: If you can’t find Chambord, use crème de cassis (black currant liqueur) or crème de mure (blackberry liqueur). Another option is to make the Clover Club instead, a similar cocktail made with raspberry syrup and gin.
How to Make a French Martini
The technique for a French Martini is straightforward: shake everything together with ice until it’s cold, then strain it into a chilled glass. Here’s what to do (or go right to the recipe):
- Shake in a cocktail shaker. Take 2 oz vodka, 1 oz pineapple juice, and ½ oz Chambord, and shake it together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Strain into a glass and add garnish. Strain the drink into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a raspberry.
What Makes Chambord Special
The French martini requires a special ingredient: Chambord! It’s got a beautiful gold and purple round bottle with a crown insignia. But what exactly is it?
- Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur made in France. With the fancy bottle you might think it’s historic, but the brand actually started in the 1980’s. However, it was inspired by a raspberry liqueur recipe from the the 1680’s.
- The flavor of Chambord is rich and fruity, with strong raspberry notes and hints of citrus.
- To use up the bottle, try the Chambord and Champagne, or swap it for crème de cassis in a Kir Royale. It also pairs with Prosecco and soda water as a Chambord spritz.
Variations and Serving Suggestions
Here are my favorite ways to serve this cocktail:
- Before dinner: The French martini makes a good aperitif cocktail with party appetizer recipes. It’s great along with cheese boards or this goat cheese appetizer when hosting dinner parties.
- Girls’ night cocktail: This is always a hit with friends who love fruity, sophisticated drinks.
- Valentine’s Day: The beautiful pink color makes it perfect for romantic occasions like Valentine’s Day.
- Holidays: I like this cocktail for everything from Christmas cocktail to a New Year’s Eve drink.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This French Martini works well as a batch cocktail. To do it, multiply the ingredients by 8: use 2 cups vodka, 1 cup pineapple juice, and ½ cup Chambord. Place them in a pitcher and stir with 3 handfuls ice. Strain into glasses and serve.
Other French Inspired Cocktails
If you love a French martini, you might like these France inspired cocktails:
- The French Gimlet is a spin on the classic gimlet using St Germain elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and gin.
- In the French Connection, equal parts Cognac and amaretto make a sophisticated slow-sipper.
- A French 75 is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon and champagne.
Classic French Martini
This French martini recipe pairs vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice for a sweet tart, balanced cocktail. Here’s how to make this fruity drink in just 5 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) vodka
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) pineapple juice
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord* or other raspberry liqueur
- For the garnish: raspberry (optional)
Instructions
- Add the vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake it until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. If desired, garnish with a raspberry.
Notes
*If desired, substitute crème de cassis (black currant liqueur) or crème de mure (blackberry liqueur).
Batch variation: This French Martini works well as a batch cocktail. To do it, place 2 cups vodka, 1 cup pineapple juice, and ½ cup Chambord in a pitcher and stir with 3 handfuls ice. Strain into glasses and serve.
More Martini Recipes to Try
