French Martini Recipe

Name: French Martini Recipe with Vodka
Ingredients: 2 oz Vodka; 0.5 oz Chambord; 1.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice ((or canned))

Bonjour! Today, we’re getting fancy with not one but two versions of the French Martini. Now, this sophisticated cocktail may not be a “real,” classic Martini that follows the standard formula, but it sure is delicious.

Using black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice, there are a couple of ways to make this sweet drink. If you love raspberry-flavored cocktails, this one’s for you!

1. two flavored martinis in chilled glass with 1 ounces pineapple juice each

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FRENCH MARTINI

This faux Martini was created in the 1980s by bar owner Keith Mcnally and gained popularity once he included it on the cocktail menu at his New York City bar, Balthazar, in 1996. Although it’s pretty contemporary compared to more classic cocktails from the 1800s, Chris will show you the original recipe and a more modern update today.

FRENCH MARTINI INGREDIENTS

Feel free to grab whichever base spirit you have in your liquor cabinet, vodka or gin. Both versions of this modern classic offer a lovely raspberry flavor from the Chambord black raspberry liqueur, but the gin version offers a little more complexity and brightness from the lime and Maraschino liqueur.

Photo by Isaac Quesada via www.unsplash.com

WHAT IS CHAMBORD?

Both versions, however, use Chambord, a sweet French liqueur made from black and red raspberries, cognac, vanilla, and citrus peel. You can sip it, add it to champagne, use it in a Margarita, or make classic cocktails like this one– It serves as the defining, key ingredient in the French Martini, for example.

Ready to try it? Check out the video, and then grab the classic recipe and the variation below. Let us know in the comments which is your favorite or if you have other raspberry liqueur recipes you prefer!

2. 4-ounce martini glass with French gin Martinis and one vodka martini

HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH MARTINI

In the video, Chris will show you two versions of this chic cocktail: one with 2 ounces vodka, and one with gin instead. The vodka Martini offers a more simple cocktail recipe requiring less prep time, while the gin version also includes a combo of lime juice and maraschino liqueur.

Hot tip: Fresh is always better, so if you can get fresh pineapple juice, that’s great. If not… That’s great, too! Either way, you’re going to end up with a delicious, refreshing cocktail.