Learn How The French Martini Kicked Off The Cocktail Revival

Learn How The French Martini Kicked Off The Cocktail Revival

Everything You Need to Know About the French Martini

The French Martini is a chic, fruit-forward cocktail that emerged in the late 1980s, famously popularized by restaurateur Keith McNally in New York City. It's believed to have been created at one of his bars before appearing on the menu of his hugely popular SoHo brasserie, Balthazar, when it opened in 1996. Despite its name, it's not a traditional Vodka Martini as it contains no vermouth; the "French" moniker comes from its key ingredient, Chambord, a black raspberry liqueur from France. Its smooth, sweet-tart taste and appealing pink hue quickly made it a star of the modern cocktail revival and a favorite for those seeking an elegant, accessible drink.

French Martini

Prep Time3 min
Yield1 Cocktail
Base SpiritVodka

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 0.5 oz Chambord Liqueur
  • 1.5 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice
  • Fresh Raspberry, for garnish
Learn How The French Martini Kicked Off The Cocktail Revival

Instructions

  1. For the best French Martini, always use fresh pineapple juice; the enzymes in fresh juice are what create the desirable frothy head when shaken. Canned or bottled juice will result in a flatter drink.
Pro Tip
While the core French Martini recipe is fairly standard, some enjoy a slightly tarter drink by adding a tiny squeeze of fresh lime juice, about 0.25 oz, before shaking. For a richer raspberry flavor, you can slightly increase the Chambord, but be mindful that this will also increase sweetness.

French Martini Riff

Swap the vodka for Tequila Reposado. The agave’s earthy vanilla notes anchor the sweet raspberry and pineapple, giving the cocktail a much-needed backbone and a more sophisticated, tropical edge.