The French martini is back. This ’90s-era cocktail, once a fan favorite in chic lounges and at celebrity-hosted parties,has made a major comeback—winning over casual sippers and cocktail aficionadosalike thanks to social media posts from food pros like Martha Stewart. With its signature pink-purple hue, luscious fruit flavor and frothy finish, it’s the kind of drink that feels fancy but is surprisingly easy to make at home.
A French martini is the perfect choice whether you’re hosting a dinner party, enjoying a nightcap or just craving something sweet, sophisticated and playful. Parade spoke with top mixologists to uncover the drink’s origins and find out what makes it “French.” These drink pros also shared their expert tips to help you craft a perfect French martini at home. We’ll toast to that!
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@marthastewartliving The French martini is a decidedly different drink than its classic counterpart. It’s a sweeter, fruity cocktail with no vermouth, no olive, and no gin—but it’s still served in a martini glass #marthastewart #frenchmartini
♬ original sound – Martha Stewart
What Makes This Cocktail “French”?
Despite the name, the French martini isn’t a Parisian invention. “The ‘French’ element comes from a black raspberry liqueur called Chambord,” Kaitlyn Stewart, an award-winning bartender and beverage consultant, tells Parade.
Chambord hails from France’s Loire Valley and blends black and red raspberries, blackberries, Cognac, Madagascan vanilla, honey and Moroccan citrus peel. “It gives the French Martini its fruity flavor and acts as the drink’s only sweetener,” Stewart explains. Its rich, velvety purple hue also adds elegance and drama to the drink.
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Where Did the French Martini Originate?
The French martini was actually created in New York City. Restaurateur Keith McNally first introduced it at Pravda in 1996, before it became a hit at famed New York restaurant Balthazar, says Molly Horn, chief mixologist at Total Wine & More.
“This was a time before the modern cocktail renaissance, when sweeter, fruit-forward drinks in martini glasses were trendy,” adds Charlotte Voisey, mixologist and executive director of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.
Unlike a traditional martini (gin or vodka with dry vermouth, garnished with an olive), the vodka-based French martini is lush, approachable and a little playful.And don’t confuse a French martini with a French 75. That’s a 1920s Champagne cocktail made with gin and lemon juice—and it’s “far less sweet and fruity than a French martini,” says Horn.
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How To Make a French Martini
The ratios for this cocktail vary by bartender, but you’ll need vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice. If you want to make a Martha-style French Martini, fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add 1½ ounces vodka, ½ ounce Chambord and ¾ ounce pineapple juice. Shake for about 15 seconds, until the shaker is cold and frosty. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist. That’s it!
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3 Pro Tips for Making the Best French Martini
The French Martini cocktail is relatively straightforward, but the experts emphasize that details matter when you make this drink.
1. Use fresh pineapple juice
“It makes an incredible difference to the flavor and texture of the drink,” says Voisey. If that’s not an option, Horn advises “tasting your pineapple juice first to see how tart or sweet it is, then tasting Chambord side by side to help you adjust your recipe.”
2. Shake, don’t stir
Fresh juices taste best when you shake them—it’s how they really blend with the spirits.
3. Chill your glass
If you have time, stash your martini glasses in the freezer at least 30 minutes before you plan to serve your drink. That frosty glass looks professional and will keep your drink cool and refreshing.
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Garnish Like a Bartender
“A garnish should enhance your drinking experience,” says Stewart. A lemon twist brightens the flavor, while a pineapple wedge nods to the juice inside. Horn loves a raspberry perched on a pineapple wedge—or even a candied raspberry for sparkle.
When Should You Serve a French Martini?
This cocktail’s versatility is part of its charm. Here’s how each of our experts likes to enjoy the drink.
- Horn: “I’d enjoy it as a nightcap.”
- Stewart: “Any time—it’s light enough not to fill you up before dinner.”
- Voisey: “Perfect as a dessert drink.”
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Variations on the French Martini
Because it’s such a simple recipe, bartenders love to riff on a classic French martini. “Adding sparkling wine is a great touch, adding lime juice and swapping in gin for the vodka, or even giving it a rum tiki twist,” suggests Horn.
Voisey recommends experimenting with reposado tequila or even dry vermouth. Stewart favors subbing in gin “to make things slightly more interesting.” With its chic looks, fruity flavor and frothy finish, the French martini has more than earned its moment back in the cocktail spotlight. As Martha herself would say, “It’s a good thing.”
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Sources:
- Molly Horn, chief mixologist and spirits educator at Total Wine & More.
- Kaitlyn Stewart, award-winning globally recognized bartender and beverage consultant, founder of like•a•ble Cocktails, author of the forthcoming cocktail book Three Cheers.
- Charlotte Voisey, mixologist and executive director of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.
