Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice to a shaker with ice
Shake vigorously until chilled and frothy
Double strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with a raspberry or lemon twist
Glassware
Served up in a chilled martini glass
Garnish
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use freshly pressed pineapple juice for a rich foam
Shake hard and double strain for a velvety texture
Chill glassware to keep the drink icy cold
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the French Martini.
Very French Martini
A sophisticated evolution of the French Martini, created by Simon Difford, substituting vodka with complex, aromatic Cognac to elevate a popular fruit-forward template into a drink of remarkable character.
Francophile Martini
A sophisticated French twist on the classic Martini, marrying botanical French gin with Dolin Dry vermouth and Esprit de June's ethereal grape flower essence for an elegant aperitif.
Mexican Martini
A potent and piquant cocktail that stands as a proud emblem of Austin, Texas's unique culinary and social identity, a masterful hybrid of a Margarita and a Dirty Martini.
Other Variations
IBA Standard
Uses a drier 3:1:1 ratio for a more spirit-forward profile.
Changes
Pineapple-Forward
Equal parts vodka and pineapple juice for a juicier sip.
Changes
Chambord-Heavy
Adds extra Chambord for deeper berry sweetness.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Keith McNally's New York bars introduced the French Martini in the late 1980s, and Dale DeGroff helped propel it onto fashionable menus through the 1990s. Despite the name, its only French element is Chambord liqueur; the drink rode the flavored "tini" wave and became a symbol of the era's cosmopolitan nightlife before earning modern-classic status.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Mr. Boston Sex on the Beach
A more complex version of the classic Sex on the Beach featuring vodka, Chambord, and Midori with tropical pineapple and tart cranberry.
Honey Deuce
The official cocktail of the U.S. Open, combining vodka, fresh lemonade, and raspberry liqueur topped with honeydew melon balls that look like tennis balls.
Very French Martini
A sophisticated evolution of the French Martini, created by Simon Difford, substituting vodka with complex, aromatic Cognac to elevate a popular fruit-forward template into a drink of remarkable character.