I am a big fan of the cocktail known as the French 75 (can’t believe I haven’t posted about it yet!) but had never heard of the French Martini until a recent dinner where a friend ordered it. It looked brownish and she proclaimed the one served was so-so, but it definitely peaked my curiosity.

The French Martini was invented in the late 80’s at New York’s famous French bistro Balthazar. If you’ve never been, you should go and definitely try their French Fries, featured on Best Thing I Ever Ate. At any rate, according to Wikipedia, the French Martini is typical of 1990’s cocktails, featuring a fruity and sweet vibe.

The ingredients are simple. Vodka (I saw versions using orange vodka so I used that), Chambord– a black raspberry liqueur from the Loire Valley and pineapple juice. The vodka supplies the kick, the Chambord gives it a sweetness and complexity and the pineapple juice lends a fresh and tropical vibe. All in all, I really liked this cocktail and it seems like the perfect martini for the summer. You can drink one and it seems like nothing, which is actually dangerous!

What makes it French, you may ask? The Chambord of course. Chambord is made in the Loire Valley, which has a special place in my heart since hubby and I visited last Fall, on the grounds of the Chambord Chateau. The liqueur is made from blackberries, raspberries and black currants, which are macerated and them mixed with black raspberries and other varietals, such as Cognac, vanilla and citrus peel. The resulting liqueur is complex and delicious.

My experience with Chambord was from my Air Florida Flight Attendant days, when we served Champagne Kirs in First Class, which is just a glass of Champagne, topped with Chambord. It turns it a lovely pink hue. The Chambord Margarita on the Chambord website sounds good as well and the Bramble– made with lemon juice and gin is reminiscent of my French 75. But that will be the subject of another post.

French Martini

Course: CocktailDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

This delicious and fruity cocktail was invented at Balthazar in New York City in the late 80’s.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Vodka (or orange vodka)

• 1/4 ounce Chambord

• 1 3/4 ounce pineapple juice

• Ice

Directions

• Add vodka, chambered and pineapple juice to a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously, for at least 30 seconds. This dilutes the alcohol and makes a frothy top.
• Strain (no ice) into a chilled martini glass. There should be a nice froth on the top of the drink.
• Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Notes

• If you wish to make orange vodka, place the peels of one orange in a cup of vodka and let macerate for at least a week.
• Chilling the vodka makes this drink even nicer!
• If you want to make your own orange vodka, put orange peels in vodka and let steep for at least a week.

Happy Memorial Day.

Up Next: Colorado!