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If you’re looking for a fun, fruity, and fancy cocktail, the French Martini is a great pick. Despite the name, it wasn’t created in France—it came out of New York in the 1980s or ’90s, when bartenders were coming up with new, exciting drinks that looked and tasted great.

What Is a French Martini?

The French Martini is a vodka-based cocktail sweetened with Chambord, a black raspberry liqueur from France, and balanced with pineapple juice. It is served in a chilled martini glass and finished with a foamy crown and sometimes a twist of lemon or a few fresh raspberries. It strikes a perfect balance between fruity and refined.

French Vodka Chambord Martini — Vodka French Martini

When you shake it all together and pour it into a martini glass, you get a smooth, slightly sweet drink with a rich, pinkish color.

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French Martini – Only 3 Ingredients

French Martini Ingredients — French Martini ingredients: Vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice

Vodka
Chambord
Pineapple Juice
Raspberries for garnish, optional

Tips

Use good quality spirits. The better the ingredients, the better your cocktail will taste.
The key is using good-quality ingredients that blend together to create a rich mix of flavors.

With all of the vodkas on the market, I use Stoli, Absolut, Ketel One, or Grey Goose to make a martini. For example, a Dirty Martini has hardly any mixer, so I’ll use Grey Goose, a more expensive but smoother Vodka. Otherwise, the Stoli, Absolut, or Ketel One are perfect for the French Martini recipe.

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Bar Tools

Here are awesome products to help YOU make the most incredible drinks. Impress your family and friends and be the BEST Cocktail Barista in your neighborhood.

Need a great Cocktail Shaker but don’t know which one to buy? Look no further

Easy to Read Measuring Cap - Included — Easy to Read Measuring Cap – Included

Martini or cocktail, a good shake makes all the difference in the world so buying a cocktail shaker can seriously step up your at-home drink game. Think about it: no more settling for boring mixed drinks when you can whip up bar-quality cocktails in your kitchen. It’s not just about the fancy presentation (although that’s a fun bonus) but also about how it makes mixing drinks easier and more fun.

I have at least a dozen shakers, but one favorite. The shaker doesn’t leak; you won’t have to hit the shaker against the sink to get the top off, and the cap will measure from 1/2 to 1.5 ounces with clearly marked labels. Measure the perfect amount every time. And it is dishwasher safe!

Plus, once you get the hang of shaking, you’ll feel like a total pro, impressing your friends and yourself with your newfound bartending skills. So why not add a little shake, shake, shake to your life and upgrade your happy hour?

And don’t forget the chilled martini glass. Nothing is worse than a martini in a warm glass. Check out these 2 that I recommend. Joy Jolt set of 6 martini glasses in multi-colors and Crafthouse by Fortessa, set of 4 martini glasses. They are both dishwasher-safe.

Joy Jolt is a short martini glass, great for stacking in the freezer, and the Crafthouse by Fortessa is tall and elegant. Still, finding a safe spot to lay it down in the freezer is harder.

Note: The green martini glasses are not Crafthouse glasses. They are for illustration purposes only

How to Make a French Martini

For an extra frosty martini, chill your glass in the freezer for about 15 minutes before preparing your cocktail.

Add the vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice to a shaker half filled with ice and let the martini sit for a minute.

With two hands, shake well for 15 seconds – this helps create that foamy layer on top.

Pour the strained contents of the shaker into the chilled martini glass.

French Martini Garnish

Garnish with a raspberry or two or a twist of lemon if you want to dress it up.

Serving Suggestions

When to Serve: Perfect as a pre-dinner drink, at brunch with friends, or as a signature cocktail for parties and special occasions.
Pairing Ideas: Try it with light appetizers like goat cheese crostini, prosciutto-wrapped melon, or marinated shrimp — the fruity notes complement salty or creamy bites beautifully.

The French Martini with Raspberries — French Martini with Chambord

Final Thoughts

The French Martini is simple, stylish, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re new to cocktails or already love mixing drinks, this one’s a solid choice. It’s easy to shake up at home and always makes a good impression.

So shake up something smooth, raise your glass, and cheers to keeping it classy!

Mix, Mingle & Marvel: 5 Essential Secrets to Crafting Cocktails That Wow! This free guide is my gift to you for subscribing to my mailing list.