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. You’ll still appreciate this co*cktail even if you aren’t a vodka lover.

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 and limoncello 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 a French martini called a French martini? ›

The reason why this Martini is called a “French” Martini is the inclusion of Chambord black raspberry liqueur, which has been produced in France since the 17th century. The Chambord, along with the pineapple juice, adds rich fruit flavor to the drink.

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

The French martini is a decidedly different drink than its classic counterpart. It's a sweeter, fruity co*cktail with no vermouth, no olive, and no gin—but it's served in a martini glass. Another key difference is the addition of Chambord, a black raspberry liqueur that's a key French martini ingredient.

What is champagne and Chambord? ›

A Kir Royale is a Champagne co*cktail made with Chambord and champagne.

What is Chambord made from? ›

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

What is Chambord ingredients? ›

Chambord is produced in the Loire Valley from raspberries and blackberries, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey and cognac. Whole raspberries and blackberries are steeped in French spirits for a period of several weeks to produce a fruit infusion.

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 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 alcohol is Chambord? ›

A delicious raspberry tipple inspired by a liqueur produced in the Loire Valley of France during the late 17th century - Chambord is a must have ingredient for co*cktail fans.

What does dirty mean in a martini? ›

DIRTY. For those who like their co*cktails to have a savoury edge, the Dirty Martini is a delicious, slightly salty, choice. The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink.

What's a martini without vermouth called? ›

Bone Dry. Almost no vermouth is used. “Bone dry” is a common way to specify just a whisper of vermouth. If you are in a bar, ordering an extra dry Martini amounts to the same thing.

What is Prosecco and Chambord called? ›

Chambord Bellini is a delicious, easy co*cktail recipe made with Prosecco and Chambord Liqueur. It's a light, refreshing, and bubbly sipper that's sophisticated and perfect for festive gatherings.

Do you drink Chambord straight? ›

Drinking Chambord on its own is a lovely experience and makes a quick low-proof drink. It's best in a chilled glass or on the rocks, though a splash of cold seltzer or sparkling wine is also a great addition. However, this liqueur is best known for its versatility as a drink mixer.

What is considered French vermouth? ›

The label "French vermouth" generally refers to pale, dry vermouths that are more bitter than sweet vermouths. The extra bitterness is often obtained by using nutmeg or bitter orange peel in the drink recipe. Blanc or Bianco is a name given to a type of pale, sweeter vermouth.

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? ›

Perfect Martini

Calls for 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce dry vermouth, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, ½ ounce Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and 2 dashes Angostura Bitters. Serve with a lemon twist.

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