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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » French Martini

    French Martini

    Published: March 10, 2019 · Modified: Aug 21, 2021 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Shaken, not stirred, this classic French Martini needs only three simple ingredients. This simple but delicious cocktail is refreshing and super smooth. Irresistible and made in a flash, you don’t need a special occasion to make this martini!

    Two glasses of French martini with lemon garnish on a marble surface.
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    Silky smooth with a hit of fruity flavor, this French martini needs to be in your cocktail repertoire. Unlike a traditional martini, this cocktail skips the gin and vermouth in favor of vodka and Chambord liqueur. Vodka is a clear flavorless spirit that’s ideal for this martini so that the Chambord liqueur can shine with its flavor and color. Sweet but also tart, this martini is packed with flavor and is easily adapted to be as strong as you’d like. Want to make another twist on a classic? Try my Chocolate Martini or Lemon Drop Martini as well!

    WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

    Ingredients needed to make a French martini.

    Vodka — I recommend using good quality vodka, so you end up with a silky cocktail. The better quality of vodka you use, the more smooth the cocktail will be.

    Chambord liqueur — Chambord liqueur is a cognac-based liqueur that tastes rich and fruity thanks to the whole raspberries, blackberries, and blackcurrants infused into the spirit. Chambord gives the cocktail a beautiful color and sweet fruity flavor.

    Pineapple juice — if you can juice your own fresh pineapple juice, that’s perfect, but regular fresh pineapple juice will do. The pineapple juice adds a delicious fruity taste to the cocktail and also provides a creamy mouthfeel.

    HOW TO MAKE A FRENCH MARTINI

    Set of two photos showing lemon peel sliced for garnish and ice added to a shaker.

    1. Slice off a bit of the lemon peel to use as a garnish if desired.

    2. Add ice to the cocktail shaker.

    Set of two photos showing alcohol added to a shaker then shaken.
    3. Pour the vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice into the shaker.

    4. Shake vigorously to combine.

    Set of two photos showing the cocktail poured into a glass from a shaker then lemon peel garnish added into the glass.

    5. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass.

    6. Garnish as you wish.

    Angled view showing the top of two cocktail glasses containing French martinis with a lemon peel in each as a garnish.

    PRO TIPS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE

    • I love adding a lemon peel as a garnish as it adds a delicious citrus aroma to every sip.
    • You can add a dash of fresh lemon or lime juice to brighten up the flavors of this French martini.
    • Other garnishes you can use are ripe raspberries, blackberries, or a slice of fresh pineapple.
    • To make the drink even colder, you can chill your martini glasses in the freezer beforehand.
    • Avoid adding crushed ice to the shaker as the ice will melt quicker and water down the cocktail.
    • Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid. You can use a mesh strainer to keep the ice in the jar.
    • You can try Crème de Cassis in place of Chambord for a more budget-friendly alternative. Made with blackcurrants, the flavor of Crème de Cassis is similar.

    Two French martini in a cocktail glass with lemon peel as a garnish.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Where does this cocktail originate?

    This cocktail is categorized as French as it uses a French liqueur made and bottled at La Sistiere Chateau in France’s Loire Valley. However, the French martini was born in a New York City restaurant in the late-1980s.

    Can Chambord liqueur go bad?

    Yes, Chambord liqueur can go bad. Unlike other liqueurs, you should try to use Chambord within six months due to the ingredients added to the distilled spirit. Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. If you see sugar crystals in the bottle, then it should be tossed.

    Can I batch make this martini?

    You can pre-make this French martini ahead of time for a party if you’d like to save some time. Do so by scaling up the ingredients to the number of drinks you’d like to make, then combine the liquids in a freezer-safe container without ice. You can store the pre-mixed cocktail in a freezer (as the alcohol won’t freeze) for a speedy way to chill the drink or store it in the fridge if you have extra time.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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      Paloma

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      Cucumber Martini

    • Two glasses of pomegranate martinis with lemon peel garnish.

      Pomegranate Martini

    • A photo of a Texas margarita in a coupe glass among copper bar tools.

      Blood Orange Margarita

    • A strawberry margarita in a cocktail glass with a halved strawberry on the rim with the ingredients out of focus in the background.

      Strawberry Margarita

    If you’ve tried this French Martini recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

    Two glasses of French martini with one in front of the other, in focus.
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    5 from 5 votes

    French Martini

    This classic French Martini requires only three ingredients. Smooth, sweet, and creamy, this cocktail is perfect for all occasions.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine French
    Prep Time 3 minutes
    Total Time 3 minutes
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 233kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • cocktail shaker

    Ingredients

    INGREDIENTS

    • 2 oz vodka 60mL
    • 1 oz chambord liqueur 30mL
    • 1 oz pineapple juice 30mL

    Instructions

    • Put some ice into the cocktail shaker.
    • Pour the vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice into the shaker.
    • Close and shake vigorously. Pour into martini glass.

    Video

    Notes

    • I love adding a lemon peel as a garnish as it adds a delicious citrus aroma to every sip.
    • You can add a dash of fresh lemon or lime juice to brighten up the flavors.
    • Other garnishes you can use are ripe raspberries, blackberries, or a slice of fresh pineapple.
    • To make the drink even colder, you can chill your martini glasses in the freezer beforehand.
    • Avoid adding crushed ice to the shaker as the ice will melt quicker and water down the cocktail.
    • Don’t have a cocktail shaker? You can use a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid. You can use a mesh strainer to keep the ice in the jar.
    • You can try Crème de Cassis in place of Chambord for a more budget-friendly alternative. Made with blackcurrants, the flavor of Crème de Cassis is similar.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1drink | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 36mg | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin C: 2.8mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!

     

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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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