Ingredients
- 1.25 oz Raspberry Liqueur
- .75 oz Vodka
- 2 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1 oz Soda Water
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour in the raspberry liqueur, vodka, pineapple juice, and soda water.
- Shake: Shake the mixture well until it is thoroughly chilled.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the chilled mixture into a cocktail glass.
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The French Martini was created in the late 1980s at Keith McNally’s New York bar Balthazar by bartender Brian. The ‘French’ in the name comes from Chambord, the French black-raspberry liqueur that defines the drink.
It rode the Cosmopolitan wave through the 90s. Faded with the rise of craft cocktails in the 2010s. Came back from 2022 onwards with the broader 90s nostalgia trend, particularly on TikTok.
What it tastes like
Sweet raspberry up front from the Chambord, tropical pineapple in the middle, vodka warmth on the finish. The shake-and-strain method builds a thick frothy head from the pineapple juice that’s signature to the drink.
Sweeter than most Martinis but balanced by the Chambord’s tartness. Drinks like a fruit cocktail with proof.
The technique
45ml vodka, 15ml Chambord, 45ml fresh pineapple juice. Shake hard with ice for 12 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. The shake is what builds the head – don’t skip it.
Fresh pineapple juice (not canned) is what makes the foam. Canned juice has been pasteurised and won’t froth properly.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- What it is
- Clean, neutral spirit. Any decent mid-shelf vodka works here.
- Why we use it here
- Carries the alcohol without competing with the Chambord and pineapple. Premium vodka is wasted because the fruit dominates.
- Drink Lab pick
- Smirnoff or Absolut.
- Substitute
- Gin works (botanical complexity changes the drink). Tequila is a different recipe entirely.
Chambord
- What it is
- French black raspberry liqueur, 16% ABV, made from raspberries, blackberries, herbs and honey. Comes in the iconic round bottle with a crown.
- Why we use it here
- Defining ingredient and the source of the pink colour. No real substitute.
- Drink Lab pick
- Chambord original.
- Substitute
- Crème de cassis (different berry, but works), or any black raspberry liqueur. Crème de framboise gives a brighter raspberry version.
Variations
Other Martinis worth knowing.
What if I don’t have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Crème de cassis (blackcurrant – sweeter), or generic raspberry liqueur.
Canned will work but no foam. Pineapple syrup + lemon juice fakes it.
Gin makes a more botanical version. White rum tilts it tropical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
