French Martini Recipe (2024)

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The French Martini recipe blends Chambord black raspberry liqueur with vodka and pineapple juice. It’s an absolutely delicious co*cktail.

French Martini Recipe (1)

The flavor is mainly pineapple and raspberry – a fun choice whenever you’re in the mood for a fresh new fruity co*cktail that’s not an old standard. This is a great drink for a night out.

History of the French Martini

This vodka co*cktail is a modern classic co*cktail that rose to prominence in the 1980s during the New York City nightlife scene. It was created by bar owner Keith Mcnally.

It’s part of the larger Martini family, but it deviates from the traditional Gin and Vermouth formulation. Instead, it’s a fruity vodka-based drink that notably includes Chambord, a black raspberry liqueur made inin the Loire Valley in France, which gives this co*cktail its “French” moniker.

RELATED: Classic Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

How to Make a French Martini Foamy

While most foamy co*cktails involve egg whites, aFrench Martini gets its foamy top from the shaking process. The co*cktail includes ingredients such as pineapple juice and Chambord. When these are shaken together vigorously with ice in a co*cktail shaker, it creates a frothy, foam layer on the top.

The foam is essentially tiny air bubbles trapped in the liquid, which get there due to the violent motion of shaking. This technique is used in many co*cktails to create different texture and presentation.

It’s not any specific ingredient that makes the French Martini foamy but rather the method of preparation. The more vigorously you shake your drink, the more froth you’ll get on top!

RELATED: The Classic Bloody Mary Recipe

Is it Shaken or Stirred?

Shaking gets you the foam on top. Stirring would not. Shaking also gives you all the ingredients being cold and well-mixed, which enhances the flavor.

RELATED: Moscow Mule classic co*cktail

Chambord substitutions

Chambord liqueur has a fantastic flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand, here are two alternatives you might consider. Chambord is a black raspberry liqueur, so that’s the flavor you’re trying to substitute.

Crème de Cassis: This blackcurrant liqueur has a similar fruitiness to Chambord, though it is slightly more tart.

Raspberry Liqueur: For a very close flavor profile to Chambord, another raspberry liqueur will work well. Brands like Drillaud and Giffard offer great options.

Just remember that switching out ingredients can lead to subtle changes in the final taste of your co*cktail, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it can be fun to experiment!

Pineapple Juice – Bottled or Fresh?

The best French Martini is made with fresh pineapple juice. But most of us don’t have quality pineapples available to us all year long, so bottled (or canned) is an option.

When you can get fresh pineapple, that’s a great time to make your French Martini.

The Perfect French Martini

You’re encouraged to play with the ratios of the ingredients in this one. If you like it less sweet, you can bump up the vodka amounts and reduce how much Chambord and pineapple juice you include.

If you want it sweeter, add more Chambord and/or pineapple juice, depending which flavor you love most.

There are variations on this recipe that even call for club soda, which would dilute the overall flavor. But sometimes that’s just what your palate wants. Also, it makes a nice spritzer that way.

Is it a true Martini?

Not really. The French Martini is much fruitier than most of its martini relatives due to its unique combination of pineapple juice and raspberry liqueur. It’s easy-to-drink nature made it very popular for those new to co*cktails or anyone who appreciates sweet over dry flavors.

French Martini Recipe (2)

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

The French Martini is pineapple and black raspberry flavored - a fun choice whenever you're in the mood for a fresh new fruity co*cktail that's not an old standard. This is a great drink for a night out.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka
  • 3/4 ounce Chambord
  • 1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice

Instructions

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Pour in the ingredients.
  3. Shake very well to get that foamy top.
  4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
  5. Garnish with raspberries.

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Read Next:

  • 11 Awesome Martini Recipes with Vodka
  • Chocolate Raspberry Martini
  • Chambord Tasting Guide + 9 Delicious Chambord co*cktails
French Martini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients of a French Martini? ›

Ingredients
  • ice cubes.
  • 2 fluid ounces vodka.
  • 2 fluid ounces fresh pineapple juice.
  • ½ fluid ounce raspberry-flavored liqueur (such as Chambord®)
  • 1 slice fresh pineapple.
  • 1 (3 inch) lemon peel.

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.

Is a French Martini the same as a French 75? ›

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 the alcohol content of a French Martini? ›

Alcohol content:

17.79% alc./vol. (35.58° proof) 21.4 grams of pure alcohol.

What is the perfect martini made of? ›

Suggested ingredients: London-style gin, such as Beefeater's, yields the most classic martini. For the vermouth, Dolin dry is excellent. Gin is the traditional choice, but you can use vodka if preferred—try Tito's or Grey Goose. Measurement tips: Two ounces is ¼ cup.

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