French Martini Recipe - Daily Appetite (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients of a French martini? ›

Made with vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord, it was created for famed New York City restaurant Balthazar in the late 1980s. The French martini was an immediate success, and was soon being shaken up in bars all over the city and the world.

The French martini is a decidedly different drink than its classic counterpart. It's a sweeter, fruity co*cktail with no vermouth, no olive, and no gin—but it's served in a martini glass. Another key difference is the addition of Chambord, a black raspberry liqueur that's a key French martini ingredient.

Begin with a London dry-style gin. From there, add a little dry vermouth. The ratio is negotiable, but common formulas for a Dry Martini typically fall in the range of four-to-eight parts gin to one part vermouth. A dash of orange bitters ties the room together.

Use quality ingredients—The key to a great martini is to pour quality ingredients, so start off with a top-shelf gin and vermouth. With only two ingredients, this is not a co*cktail where you want to be frugal. Adjust the ratio—Each gin is different.

Is a French Martini the same as a French 75? The French Martini co*cktail is a fruity co*cktail with vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice. It is different than the French 75, which is an elegant co*cktail made of gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and champagne.

Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic. The reasons for this are obvious and I try to adhere to this rule at home. The rule is defended most enduringly (and elegantly) at Duke's Bar in Central London, where years of experience … Continue reading.

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

Cinzano Extra Dry Vermouth

If dry martinis are your go-to, I'm sure you're already aware of Cinzao Extra Dry. This pale yellow vermouth will be the perfect addition to that classic co*cktail.

VERMOUTH IS A MUST.

“For me, vermouth represents the civilizing aspect of the martini,” he says. “A martini without vermouth is like calling gnawing on the leg of a cow a steak—pure savagery.”

Pour 1 1/2 ounces gin into a shaker with ice and add 1/4 ounce dry vermouth. Stir until perfectly mixed using a bar spoon or teaspoon. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a twist of grapefruit peel. This recipe was developed by Stanley Tucci in partnership with Tanqueray.

How did Sean Connery like his martini? ›

Gin Martini

But it was very much Sean Connery in Dr. No ordering the vodka martini, 'shaken not stirred' with that signature pronunciation that made this Bond's drink.

VERY FRENCH MARTINI

Difford's recipe is 45ml Martell VSOP, 15ml Chambord and 45ml pineapple juice, shaken with ice, strained into the glass and garnished with a raspberry.

Chambord is made from red and black raspberries, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, honey and XO cognac.

Vermouth is made by first making the wine. Noilly Prat uses speciality grapes of the Picpoul de Pinet and Clairette varieties, which are grown in the Marseillan region, near the distillery.

Other Variations / Substitutes

You can substitute Chambord with crème de cassis, raspberry juice or any raspberry infused simple syrup.