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Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
Photo: iStock
French martini
The French martini has become a popular cocktail worldwide. It is a simple yet refined recipe made with high-quality vodka, Chambord liqueur and pineapple juice. What distinguishes this drink from the traditional martini is its fruit-focused flavour profile, which provides scope for a wide range of variations to suit individual preferences.
The name of the French martini originates from the addition of Chambord, a French liqueur made from juicy blackberries, raspberries and Cognac. The fruity sweetness of Chambord imparts the French martini with its unique flavour and sophisticated character.
Some prefer a less sweet version of the French martini and thus choose to use creme de cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur, instead of Chambord.
03 April, 2023
serves for
1
total time
0
HR
5
MIN
ingredients
Vodka
2 fl. oz (60ml)
Chambord
0.5 fl. oz (15ml)
Pineapple juice
1.5 fl. oz (45ml), fresh
Method
Step 01
Step 02
Pour vodka, fresh pineapple juice and Chambord into the cocktail shaker.
Step 03
Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for about 20 seconds to mix and chill the ingredients.
Step 04
Strain the cocktail mixture into a cocktail glass.
Step 05
Garnish the cocktail with three raspberries speared on a cocktail pick. Serve the French martini immediately and enjoy.
Tips
Use fresh pineapple juice. If you don't have a juicer at home, there's no need to worry. You can easily make pineapple juice using a blender or food processor.
Fill the cocktail shaker around half full if you're using traditional ice cubes. However, if you have smaller or unique-shaped ice, aim for around ⅓ full. Avoid using crushed ice, as it can dissolve during shaking and dilute the drink.
If you're planning to garnish your French Martini with fresh raspberries, make sure you know how to choose the right ones at the store. No one wants to bite into a sour or unripe raspberry.
The history of the French martini
The French martini is not a true martini but is one of many drinks that incorporate the term 'martini' into their names. It’s a relatively new cocktail, having been invented in the 1980s – according to legend, it was first created by a bartender named Keith McNally at one of his New York City bars. It then appeared on the drinks menu at McNally's Balthazar in SoHo in 1996, where it became an instant hit. The cocktail was produced during the 1980s-90s cocktail renaissance when many bartenders were experimenting with different spirits and ingredients to create new and exciting drinks.
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