French Martini Recipe (2024)

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By Shawn Williams

5 from 1 vote

Sep 28, 2019, Updated Jan 05, 2024

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The French Martini is a contemporary classic co*cktail made with vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice. It’s a unique and fruity co*cktail with tropical vibes thanks to the pineapple and raspberry liqueur.

French Martini Recipe (2)

The French Martini is technically a spinoff of a classic vodka martini (see Tuxedo No. 2 co*cktail for a better twist on the classic gin martini). While the original martini was made with gin, vodka is often used in its place.

The French Martini was created in the 1980s by New York bartender Allen Katz. It’s an interesting co*cktail that’s fruity and balanced if made properly. Even if you aren’t a vodka lover, you’ll still appreciate this co*cktail.

If you enjoyed this co*cktail, also try some of my other vodka recipes such as the Cosmopolitan co*cktail, the popular pear martini, and my delicious blueberry martini.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients
  • co*cktail Variations
  • How to Make a French Martini
  • Expert Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Vodka co*cktails
  • French Martini Recipe

Ingredients

French Martini Recipe (3)
  • Vodka: the base spirit for this recipe. This can be easily adjusted by using more or less to make the co*cktail boozier or sweeter.
  • Pineapple Juice: I like Dole 100% pineapple juice sold in small cans. It’s perfect for co*cktails and less wasteful. Make a Piña Colada with the leftover pineapple juice!
  • Chambord: a French raspberry liqueur made fromredandblack raspberries, Madagascar vanilla, citruspeel,honey,andcognac. It’s a nice blend of flavor, booze, and raspberry sweetness.

co*cktail Variations

If you browse online you’ll find numerous variations of this co*cktail with differing parts for each ingredient. The key to the perfect French Martini is striking a balance between the pineapple juice and Chambord. You want to be able to appreciate both without one overpowering the other.

I experimented with several variations and came up with a co*cktail that is right down the middle in terms of flavor, sweetness, and a subtle boozy backbone. I encourage you to explore adding more or less to see what you like the best.

How to Make a French Martini

Step 1.

Combine vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord in a co*cktail shaker with a large cup of ice.

French Martini Recipe (4)
French Martini Recipe (5)

Step 3.

Float a halved raspberry on top of the foam and serve. The pineapple juice should create a foamy collar strong enough to hold a halved raspberry.

French Martini Recipe (6)

Expert Tips

  • Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.
  • This co*cktail is best served in a small coupe or Nick and Nora glass.
  • Always double-strain shaken co*cktails through a fine mesh strainer. This removes tiny ice chips that will dilute the co*cktail as it warms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there egg white in a French Martini?

No, the pineapple juice tends to get foamy as it’s shaken, resembling a co*cktail made with egg white.

What’s the difference between a martini and a French Martini?

A French Martini is a vodka martini made with raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. A classic martini is typically gin and vermouth.

What is the difference between a French 75 and a French Martini?

A French 75 is a gin-based co*cktail made with gin, lemon juice, and Champagne.

More Vodka co*cktails

Passion Fruit Martini Recipe

Pear Martini with Elderflower Liqueur Recipe

Cosmopolitan co*cktail Recipe

Enjoy this recipe? If you made this co*cktail, please leave a ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ star rating in the recipe card below & areview in the comments!

5 from 1 vote

French Martini Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Save

French Martini Recipe (11)

The French martini a fruity co*cktail with notes of vanilla, orange, and pineapple. It’s made with vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 2 ounces pineapple juice, I like Dole 100% pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce Chambord raspberry liqueur
  • raspberry garnish, sliced in half

Instructions

  • Combine vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord in a co*cktail shaker with a large cup of ice.

  • Shake vigorously for 15 seconds and double strain into a chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass.

  • Float a halved raspberry on top of the foam and serve.

Notes

Chill your glasses ahead of time in the freezer to keep your drinks cooler for longer. This is one of my favorite tricks in the summer.

This co*cktail is best served in a small coupe or Nick and Nora glass.

Always double-strain shaken co*cktails through a fine mesh strainer. This removes tiny ice chips that will dilute the co*cktail as it warms.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 19.3gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSodium: 2mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 17.7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: co*cktail

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

French Martini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called a French martini? ›

The name French Martini comes from one of the drink's main ingredients, Chambord liqueur. Chambord liqueur is a raspberry liqueur that originated from the Loire Valley of France. By the mid 1950s, the French Martini co*cktail was all over martini menus worldwide.

What are the three types of martinis? ›

There are three main types of Martini: wet, dry and perfect. Vermouth is a fortified wine flavoured with botanicals, and it makes a Martini either sweet or dry, depending how much vermouth is used in the recipe. Wet means the drink is sweeter, so the ratio is normally 3:1.

What's the difference between a martini and a French martini? ›

This famous co*cktail is served in the iconic V-shaped glass that shares its name, and is always served very cold with an olive garnish. The French martini is a decidedly different drink. It's a sweeter, fruity co*cktail with no vermouth, no olive, and no gin—but it's served in a martini glass.

What is a substitute for Chambord? ›

The 5 Best Substitutes for Chambord
  • Beer, Wine & Liquor.
  • • 1 Blackberry brandy.
  • • 1 Di amore raspberry liqueur.
  • • 1 Raspberry liqueur.

What is Chambord made from? ›

Chambord is a super premium black raspberry liqueur that is made in the Loire Valley, the heart of France. It is crafted with 100% natural ingredients, which include blackberries, raspberries, and blackcurrant.

Why do they say Dirty Martini? ›

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

Is Creme de Cassis the same as Chambord? ›

Although Chamboard and Cassis are two different liqueurs, the two can be interchanged in most recipes. Créme de Cassis is made with black currants and is a bit sweeter and more syrupy than Chambord. Chambord is made with blackberries, raspberries, and black currants and is a bit more complex and refined.

What alcohol is Chambord? ›

Chambord (French: [ʃɑ̃. bɔʁ]) is a 16.5% abv raspberry liqueur modelled after a liqueur produced in the Loire Valley of France during the late 17th century. The Chambord product brand has been owned and produced by the Brown-Forman Corporation since 2006.

What to say when ordering a martini? ›

Order your martini wet, dry, or extra dry.

These terms refer to the ratio of gin or vodka to vermouth. If you do not specify what you want, you will be served a martini with a standard ratio. A wet martini is a martini with extra vermouth. A dry martini refers to a martini with less vermouth in it.

What is a martini without vermouth called? ›

Desert Martini or a Churchill Martini

No vermouth is used. This is essentially straight gin diluted with ice and garnished with either a lemon twist or olives.

What are the most ordered martini? ›

The Most Popular Martini Flavor in the U.S.

Pineapple martinis are sweet, delicious, and straightforward, making them a popular choice among patrons all over the nation. All you need to make one of these martinis for yourself is pineapple juice, vodka, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

What is a good martini for beginners? ›

Ingredients
  • 2 1/2 ounces. gin or vodka.
  • 1/2 ounce. dry vermouth.
  • Ice.
  • Lemon peel twist or olives, for garnish.
Jan 9, 2024

Is a martini just vodka and vermouth? ›

A standard martini has about one part of vermouth to about four parts of gin or vodka, though this may vary a bit based on the pour, bartender, and establishment. However, it's still a good rule of thumb – vodka makes up most of the drink, with vermouth adding a botanical bouquet of aromas and flavors.

What is a French martini on the menu? ›

The French Martini combines vodka, pineapple juice and the French raspberry liqueur, Chambord, from which it takes its name. This co*cktail grew in popularity after featuring on the menu for Keith Mcnally's Balthazar bar in New York's SoHo in the late 80's and becoming a mainstay throughout the 90s.

What is the difference between a French 75 and a French martini? ›

Is a French Martini the same as a French 75? The French Martini co*cktail is a fruity co*cktail with vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice. It is different than the French 75, which is an elegant co*cktail made of gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and champagne.

What is a true martini made of? ›

A classic Martini is made from gin and vermouth and garnished with either an olive or lemon twist. It has a reputation as one of the most popular mixed alcoholic drinks in the world. Drink it straight or on the rocks, this co*cktail will always exude elegance and style.

What is the perfect martini made of? ›

Gin versus vodka

But changing one ingredient in a drink that only has two to begin with inevitably alters its character quite radically: as Mittie Hellmich writes in the Ultimate Bar Book, a martini is “structured on the perfect botanical balance between gin's juniper berry and dry vermouth's herbal qualities”.

What is the formula for a martini? ›

Begin with a London dry-style gin. From there, add a little dry vermouth. The ratio is negotiable, but common formulas for a Dry Martini typically fall in the range of four-to-eight parts gin to one part vermouth. A dash of orange bitters ties the room together.

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