This classic French Martini recipe is a timeless cocktail perfect all year long with flavors of pineapple juice and raspberry liquor.
Don’t let the fancy name fool you, with just four ingredients, this martini recipe is incredibly easy to make at home!
What is a French Martini?
A true french martini is made with vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord. Chambord is the cornerstone of the cocktail and one of the reasons it got its name.
While it is usually served as a cocktail in a martini glass, it also gained popularity as a shot using the same recipe.
What is Chambord?
Chambord is a french liqueur from the Loire Valley region in France. It is a cognac based raspberry liqueur made from red and black raspberries, citrus peel, vanilla and honey.
It has a beautiful deep berry color and a sweet berry flavor which makes it a wonderful addition to any of your favorite cocktails.
PRO TIP: You can Chambord at most premium spirit stores. It is a great addition for your bar and is used to make many popular cocktails.
How to Make a French Kiss Martini
Making a french martini is easier than it looks! Simply fill a cocktail shaker with ice, pour the ingredients in. Shake and pour into chilled martini glasses.
You’ll Need:
- Vodka
- Chambord Liqueur
- Pineapple Juice
Don’t forget to top with classic garnishes before serving!
Garnishing Ideas
A french martini will taste great as it is, but if you want to take it up a notch you can add garnishes.
Traditionally, this martini is served with a lemon twist and fresh raspberry.
How to make a lemon twist
Making a lemon twist is extremely simple. Take a slice of lemon and cut around the rind. Then wrap the rind around a straw or toothpick and hold in place for about a minute.
The lemon rind will not affect the flavor of the cocktail the same way a squeeze of fresh lemon would. It just imparts a very subtle and mild zesty aroma that compliments the raspberry liqueur everytime you take a sip.
It is also a bartending trick to add something with high fragrance to the rim of the glass so you get a nice whiff while sipping. This can dramatically change the flavor profile of a drink.
French Martini Variations
I love a classic french martini, but if you are looking to change things up you can make the following changes:
- Use flavored vodka. Try berry, raspberry or pineapple for an extra fruity punch of flavor.
- Add champagne for a sparkling french martini. Simply follow the directions below, and then top your martini with 2 ounces of champagne or other sparkling wine.
- Flavor the rim of the glass with fruit. Drag pineapple, lemon or raspberry around the rim for extra flavor with each sip.
Pairing Suggestions
This French Martini cocktail is absolutely delicious on it’s own, but if you are looking to serve it with food I have a few suggestions for you.
When thinking about what foods to serve with cocktails, it is important to think of the flavor profile of the drink rather than the actual ingredients.
When you choose what dishes to serve, you should focus on either compare or contrast with the overall flavors of the drink.
Complementary Pairing Suggestions
Flavors that complement this cocktail would be sweet, deep, rich berry flavors or recipes that are sweet and contain raspberries or pineapple.
Complementary recipes to try:
More cocktails to try:
French Martini Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce chambord liqueur
- 1 ½ ounces pineapple juice
- lemon twist and raspberry for garnish , optional
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Pour in the vodka, chambord and pineapple juice, replace the lid and shake until well mixed.
- Pour into frosted martini glasses and garnish with lemon twist and fresh raspberry.
- If you've tried this cocktail, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings!
Nutrition
Love a good cocktail with a kick! Enjoyed winding down with this after dinner last night; so crisp and delicious! Looking forward to having this again tonight!
It is amazing how many delicious cocktail recipes there are! And this one is a great example – the instructions are very easy to follow, and the result is outstanding!
Loved your presentation! Makes me want to try it right away!
I can really see myself enjoying this martini this weekend, like it is nobody’s business!
I have everything I need for this cocktail, can’t wait to make it this weekend!