This French Martini is a delicious vodka-based cocktail sweetened with just pineapple juice which creates a beautiful foam on top without any egg whites. It's easy to make and great for parties, the holidays, New Year's, or Valentine's and Mother's Day!
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Why You'll Love This Cocktail
History - French Martini is a vodka-based cocktail invented in the 1980s in New York. It's usually served in a coupe or martini glass without ice and garnished with fresh raspberries, a lemon twist, or a slice of fresh pineapple. It has a tropical flavor but it can be served at any time of the year.
Simple and flavorful - This cocktail only calls for 3 main ingredients (vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur). This makes it really easy to remember and simple to make. Pineapple juice adds sweetness, tropical flavor, and beautiful foam on top. To add more raspberry flavor and sweetness, I like adding homemade Raspberry Simple Syrup but this is optional.
Perfect for any occasion - This French Martini is an amazing cocktail for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day but it's also fancy enough for any cocktail or holiday party! It's simple but so delicious and pretty. It's sure to always impress!
Ingredients
- Vodka - Just like an espresso martini, this French martini calls for vodka. This makes it different from a classic martini which uses gin. Vodka has a very milk flavor that won't overpower the rest of the ingredients. If you like the floral flavor of gin, you can use that instead.
- Raspberry liqueur - Chambord is the most popular one and it's the one I always have on hand. If you don't want to splurge on Chambord, you can simply mash a few fresh raspberries in your cocktail shaker instead. You can use Chambord in this Chambord and Champagne Cocktail or this Raspberry Margarita too!
- Pineapple juice - 100% pineapple juice not from a concentrate is the best option to get the best-tasting cocktail.
- Raspberry simple syrup - If you like your cocktails sweet, you can also add a little bit of raspberry syrup but this is optional.
- Lemon juice - To add extra flavor and some tang, I like adding a squeeze of freshly squeezed lemon juice but this is also optional.
- Garnish - I like adding a lemon peel twist on the edge of the glass and a cocktail pick with fresh raspberries. You can also add pineapple leaves if you have fresh pineapple on hand.
Non-Alcoholic Version
- A few raspberries (or Raspberry Simple Syrup)
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Seltzer (I like unsweetened lemon or pineapple-flavored seltzer here)
Mash the raspberries in a cocktail shaker, add pineapple juice, lemon juice, and ice, and shake until frothy. Strain over ice and top up with seltzer.
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Alternatively, you can use homemade raspberry syrup (recipe linked above) instead of the raspberries. This adds sweetness and prevents any raspberry seeds from getting into your drink.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice, raspberry syrup, and a squeeze of lemon juice (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake the cocktail vigorously for 5-10 seconds until cold and frothy.
- Strain the drink into a martini glass and garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon peel if desired and enjoy!
FAQs
Passion fruit juice or simple freshly squeezed orange juice would make a great cocktail. It won't create the pretty foam on top though.
Yes, just mash a few raspberries in your cocktail shaker and shake with ice and pineapple juice. Serve over ice with seltzer.
Yes, just muddle 3-4 raspberries in your cocktail shaker before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Other Pineapple Drinks
If you're looking for more drinks you can use leftover pineapple juice in, check out the four below! The first two are cocktails and the other two are non-alcoholic. If you still have more pineapple juice you need to use up, you can turn it into Pineapple Popsicles! To see all the latest cocktails, head over to the Cocktails category page.
- Pineapple Coconut Margarita
- Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita
- Pineapple Passion Fruit Lemonade
- Pineapple Agua Fresca
📖 Recipe
French Martini
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
French Martini is a delicious easy vodka-based cocktail sweetened with just pineapple juice which creates a beautiful foam on top. It's great for parties, the holidays, and New years!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- ½ oz Chambord
- 1 ½ oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz raspberry simple syrup (optional)
- A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
- Handful of ice
- Garnish: raspberries, lemon peel
Instructions
- Add vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice, raspberry syrup, and a squeeze of lemon juice (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake the cocktail vigorously for 5-10 seconds until cold and frothy.
- Strain the drink into a martini glass and garnish with fresh raspberries and lemon peel if desired and enjoy!
Notes
Non-alcoholic version: Mash a few raspberries in a cocktail shaker, add 3 oz pineapple juice, ½ oz lemon juice, and shake with ice. Strain over ice and top up with seltzer (I like lemon or pineapple flavored). Alternatively, you can add homemade raspberry syrup.
Would you like to save this recipe?
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Natalie says
The pineapple juice gives this cocktail a delicious tropical flavor. Loved it!