A French martini is the perfect cocktail for vodka lovers. It’s a light and sweet blend of vodka, Chambord liqueur, and pineapple juice—just 3 ingredients!
Why This French Martini Is Better
- It’s balanced but not overly sweet. Most recipes lean too pineapple-heavy. This version let’s the Chambord flavor come through first (which I prefer).
- It has that classic silky foam. A vigorous shake creates the light, frothy top French martinis are known for. And no, you don’t need any egg whites.
- The color is naturally beautiful. Increasing the Chambord not only boosted the raspberry flavor but also helped to create that signature blush hue instead of a more yellow tone.
- It’s garnished with raspberries. Fresh raspberries give it that refined, elegant look that’s perfect for date-night!
When I’m hosting a dinner party, I almost always serve a vodka-based cocktail. Vodka is my go-to spirit (see my favorite brands below) and I love that it’s smooth, easy to pair, and crowd-friendly.
Espresso martinis are always a classic, but when I wanted something a little more festive for Valentine’s Day, the French martini felt like the perfect choice!
It’s fruity, slightly sweet, and has that beautiful soft pink hue. My first test batch was a bit too pineapple-forward though, so I adjusted the ratios slightly to let the raspberry flavor shine. And that’s when it really came together!
French Martini Ingredients
- Vodka: A smooth vodka works best here since it’s the base spirit.
- Chambord liqueur: This raspberry liqueur is the highlight of this cocktail.
- Pineapple juice: Fresh pineapple juice is always best (and gives better foam!), but I’ll sometimes use a good-quality bottled juice for convenience.
- Fresh berries: I like to garnish with a few fresh raspberries for a simple, elegant finish!
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Lisa’s Favorite Vodkas: I prefer non grain-based vodkas. The two I always use are Chopin (made from potatoes) and Cîroc (made from grapes). They’re premium vodkas and in my opinion, worth the premium pricing.
How To Make A French Martini
First, combine the ingredients. Fill a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add the vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds. Pro tip: If you want that beautiful foamy top, don’t skip the vigorous shake! Pineapple juice naturally creates foam when shaken, which gives the French martini its classic frothy finish.
Next, strain into a glass. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass, leaving the ice behind in the shaker. If I want an extra smooth texture, I’ll sometimes strain it again through a fine mesh sieve.
Lastly, garnish and serve! I love a good excuse to pull out my cocktail picks for fun garnishes. And for this recipe, I’ll thread a raspberry or two on the pick and lay it on top of the glass. It’s simple, elegant, and gives a nod to the liqueur flavor!
Cocktail Adjustments
- Make it less sweet. Reduce the Chambord to ½ ounce and add ½ ounce of fresh lemon juice for a little extra brightness and acidity. The acidity cuts the sweetness.
- Make a French martini mocktail. Mix 2 ounces of pineapple juice, 1 ounce of raspberry syrup, ½ ounce of lemon juice, and 2 ounces of sparkling water for a refreshing alcohol-free version.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Aperol Spritz: Perfect for a daytime cocktail.
- Red Sangria: Always a hit for parties.
- Mojito: Simple and light!
- Classic Margarita: A must-make for tequila lovers.
If you try this French martini recipe, let me know how it turns out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re looking for more healthy food inspiration, join my free newsletter here or follow me on Pinterest!
Description
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- ¾ ounce Chambord liqueur
- optional: fresh raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Fill a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add the vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord. Cover and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the mixture is chilled and frothy.
- Strain into a glass. Pour the mixture (minus the ice cubes) into a martini glass.
- Garnish. Before serving, garnish with a few fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick.
Lisa’s Tips
- These are my favorite martini glasses and cocktail picks!
- Make it less sweet. Reduce the Chambord to ½ ounce and increase the pineapple juice to 1½ ounces. You can also add ½ ounce of fresh lemon juice for a little extra brightness and acidity.
- Make a French martini mocktail. Mix 2 ounces of pineapple juice, 1 ounce of raspberry syrup, ½ ounce of lemon juice, and 2 ounces of sparkling water for a refreshing alcohol-free version.
Nutrition
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How I Perfected This Recipe
The first time I made this cocktail I followed the many recipes online that say to use 1 ½ ounces of pineapple juice and ½ ounce of Chambord. I personally felt it was heavy on the pineapple and I wanted a bit more sweetness from the Chamboard. Also, it produced a more yellow-ish rather than slightly pink-hued drink. And since I was planning on serving this up for Valentine’s Day I wanted those peachy pink tones. So, I tweaked the measurements and flipped the ratio slightly. My second French martini on Valentine’s Day was perfect! ❤️
Great drink, but please use organic vodka.
Glad you enjoyed this cocktail, Dave!