French Martini (2024)

FAQs

French Martini? ›

Made with vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord, it was created for famed New York City restaurant Balthazar in the late 1980s. The French martini was an immediate success, and was soon being shaken up in bars all over the city and the world.

Made with vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord, it was created for famed New York City restaurant Balthazar in the late 1980s. The French martini was an immediate success, and was soon being shaken up in bars all over the city and the world.

Is a French Martini the same as a French 75? The French Martini co*cktail is a fruity co*cktail with vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice. It is different than the French 75, which is an elegant co*cktail made of gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and champagne.

Dry, Extra Dry, Bone Dry and Wet

The original iteration of drink called for a 2:1 ratio of gin to dry vermouth, however the co*cktail has evolved over many decades (as have people's taste) - and martinis are now more commonly served at a 5:1 or 6:1 ratio.

Although Chamboard and Cassis are two different liqueurs, the two can be interchanged in most recipes. Créme de Cassis is made with black currants and is a bit sweeter and more syrupy than Chambord. Chambord is made with blackberries, raspberries, and black currants and is a bit more complex and refined.

Other Variations / Substitutes

You can substitute Chambord with crème de cassis, raspberry juice or any raspberry infused simple syrup.

The classic gin or vodka Martini omits the olive brine entirely. The Dirty Martini is where things start to get crazy: Bartenders add a quarter-ounce of olive brine to the co*cktail. Add more than that, and you're slipping into Filthy Martini territory.

You can also order a martini “dry” or “bone dry”, which means using less vermouth, therefore making the martini even stronger. This popular drink is made up of a combination of four different types of liquor, cementing its spot on our list of strongest co*cktails.

While a French martini co*cktail isn't technically a martini co*cktail, it has that name in part because it's often served in a martini co*cktail glass. It features the French flavor of raspberry liqueur, and our French Martini co*cktail is especially French, given that every drop of Grey Goose is made in France as well.

Even though French 75s seem admittedly fancy, almost any bar can make one, even if they have to substitute Prosecco or another type of sparkling wine for the traditional Champagne. This one definitely has the potential to become your new go-to drink.

What to say when ordering a martini? ›

Order your martini wet, dry, or extra dry.

These terms refer to the ratio of gin or vodka to vermouth. If you do not specify what you want, you will be served a martini with a standard ratio. A wet martini is a martini with extra vermouth. A dry martini refers to a martini with less vermouth in it.

There is one other way to drink a martini without vermouth, and that's to just drop it entirely with no replacement. It's called the Churchill martini, which Drizly notes was named after Winston Churchill's purported preference for nothing but gin stirred with ice and an olive.

GIBSON. For an unusual but eminently effective garnish, ask for a Gibson Martini and you'll find it's topped with a pickled onion instead of an olive or a citrus twist.

Chambord Bellini is a delicious, easy co*cktail recipe made with Prosecco and Chambord Liqueur. It's a light, refreshing, and bubbly sipper that's sophisticated and perfect for festive gatherings.

What Does a Kir Royale Taste Like? A kir royale tastes like a glass of Champagne amped up with a sweet currant flavor. For anyone unfamiliar with currants, their flavor is sweet and tart with a bold, acidic bite: like a ripe, juicy berry with enough acidity to make your mouth pucker.

Kir Royale Recipe

The Kir Royale co*cktail is chic and refreshing. My favorite co*cktail, made with crème de cassis and champagne, as seen on Emily in Paris.

The name French Martini comes from one of the drink's main ingredients, Chambord liqueur. Chambord liqueur is a raspberry liqueur that originated from the Loire Valley of France. By the mid 1950s, the French Martini co*cktail was all over martini menus worldwide.

The Chambord, along with the pineapple juice, adds rich fruit flavor to the drink. When shaken hard with plenty of ice, the pineapple juice—use the freshest you can find—creates a pleasantly creamy mouthfeel and a frothy head. There are many variations to the French Martini.

The term "Italian vermouth" is often used to refer to red-colored, mildly bitter, and slightly sweet vermouths. These types of vermouths have also been called "rosso". The label "French vermouth" generally refers to pale, dry vermouths that are more bitter than sweet vermouths.

Drinking Chambord on its own is a lovely experience and makes a quick low-proof drink. It's best in a chilled glass or on the rocks, though a splash of cold seltzer or sparkling wine is also a great addition. However, this liqueur is best known for its versatility as a drink mixer.