If the 1980s and ’90s gave us excess, they also gave us a few cocktails that actually stuck around for good reason. The French Martini is one of them. Despite the name, it isn’t particularly French and it definitely isn’t a Martini in the classic sense, but that silky mix of vodka, raspberry, and pineapple has earned its place on modern cocktail menus.
Created in New York during the late ’80s cocktail revival, it quickly became a staple of the era’s glossy bar scene. It is easy to see why. It is simple to make, dangerously easy to drink, and just indulgent enough to feel like a treat without tipping into dessert territory.
Variations
- Swap the vodka for a vanilla vodka if you want to lean into the dessert side without going overboard.
- Use fresh-pressed pineapple juice for a brighter, more balanced drink.
- Dial up the raspberry by adding a few fresh berries to the shaker before shaking.
Why A Lush Life Loves It
This is one of those cocktails I come back to when I want something unfussy but still a little bit glamorous. It feels like the kind of drink you order when the night is going well and you don’t want to overthink it. The balance is what wins me over every time, just enough fruit to soften the vodka, but never so much that it feels cloying.
Here is the recipe
French Martini
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz Chambord
- 1½ oz fresh pineapple juice
- Garnish: raspberries
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake hard until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or Martini glass.
- Garnish with raspberries.
