description French Martini Overview
The French Martini is a vodka cocktail made with raspberry liqueur, commonly Chambord, and pineapple juice. The ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail glass, and the drink is associated with the late twentieth-century modern cocktail repertoire; despite its name, it does not use vermouth. It is intended for drinkers who prefer a fruit-forward cocktail combining vodka with sweet berry and tropical flavors.
help French Martini FAQ
What ingredients are in a French Martini?
A French Martini is made with vodka, raspberry liqueur (most commonly Chambord), and pineapple juice. Everything is shaken hard with ice — which also creates the drink's signature frothy cap — and then strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
Why is it called a French Martini if it has no gin or vermouth?
Despite the name, it contains neither gin nor dry vermouth; the 'Martini' refers to the style of serving it up in a stemmed cocktail glass. The 'French' comes from Chambord, the French black raspberry liqueur at the heart of the recipe.
Where did the French Martini originate?
It's a product of the modern cocktail revival of the 1980s and 1990s, and it's often credited to New York bars of that era, with Keith McNally's Balthazar frequently cited. It became one of the signature 'tini' era drinks heavily promoted by Chambord.
What's a good substitute for Chambord in a French Martini?
Any raspberry liqueur works, such as crème de framboise or brands like Giffard or Mathilde. Keep the proportions the same — a common spec is roughly 45 ml vodka, 15 ml raspberry liqueur, and 45 ml pineapple juice.
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