It’s one of my favorite cocktails to serve because with each sip you can taste a little hint of all three ingredients ~ pineapple, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and crisp vodka
This sunny, slightly sweet, tart, frothy, and completely gorgeous French martini recipe was created in New York in the late 1980s. The first French Martini gained popularity as a contemporary classic cocktail and hasn’t looked back since!
These types of elegant, beautiful, fruity cocktails, like our Blueberry Vodka Cocktail, and reader favorite, the Pineapple Vodka Cocktail, are always a hit with friends and for special occasions. The French Martini has the advantage of being super simple to make because, unlike the others, you don’t need simple syrup.
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Ingredients Needed
Just 3 ingredients ~ plus a delicious garnish ~ are needed for this simple drink
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient
- Pineapple Juice – If you can find (or make) fresh fruit juice then definitely use it! If not, use quality premade 100% pineapple fruit juice. You’ll need just 2 ounces, or 60 ml pineapple juice, for each drink
- Vodka – Since there are just a few ingredients in this drink opt for a good vodka for the best and cleanest flavor
- Chambord Liqueur– Chambord black raspberry liqueur is where we get the name French martini. Chambord is a French raspberry liqueur that is an infusion of raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black currant, Madagascar vanilla, and Cognac
- Fresh Raspberries – Optional, but perfect for a garnish. We skewered ours with a decorative bamboo pick. We chose to use 3 raspberries since traditional martinis use 3 olives. You can also use a citrus peel for garnish.
Instructions for making a French Martini
While this recipe is super simple there are a few important steps for success:
- Prep the garnish by skewering 3 raspberries and set aside
- Add ice cubes, pineapple juice, and vodka to the martini shaker
- Pour the Chambord into the shaker
- Place the top on the shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds
- The shaker will get super cold so, if needed, wrap a small kitchen towel around it. I always do this because it also helps save you if there are any leaks from the shaker
- Leave the strainer part on the shaker and gently pour the shaken martini into the martini glasses
- The strainer will prevent any ice from going into the glasses and diluting the finished cocktail
- The top of the French martini should be foamy as you pour it in. The foaminess will depend on how cold the drink is and how long you shake before you pour
Helpful Tips for the Perfect French Martini
- If possible chill or freeze both your martini glasses and your martini shaker for about 10-15 minutes before preparing the drinks
- Chilled pineapple juice, Chambord, and vodka from the freezer, are ideal to help create the frothy top for this drink which makes it look so elegant
- Use ice cubes, instead of crushed ice, in the shaker for the best results. Crushed ice tends to dilute the drink too much while shaking
- The colder the ingredients when you start the more refreshing and frothy the French Martini cocktail will be when you pour it!
Of course, if the drink isn’t super frothy on top it will still be delicious! And the froth will evaporate in a few minutes. Serve immediately after pouring. Again, these cocktails are still delicious even with little or no froth.
Substitution Ideas
Since there are only 3 ingredients in the original French Martini there aren’t a lot of substitutions to be made, however, here are a few ideas if you feel like getting creative!
- Gin – substitute gin for vodka for a slightly more botanical taste. (An original martini is made with dry gin and dry vermouth)
- Pineapple wedge garnish – Instead of raspberries use a chunky wedge of pineapple on the side of the glass, along with the freshest pineapple juice
- Lemon twist garnish – to give the drink more of a classic martini feel use a twist of lemon peel instead of the raspberries
- Chambord substitute – there are a few other choices available so if you’re not using Chambord we recommend Mathilde Framboise Liqueur because it has a clean raspberry flavor, or another type of black currant liqueur
- Vanilla Vodka – If you want an added bit of vanilla flavor. Be sure to substitute with a high quality vodka (such as Absolut vanilla vodka)
Equipment
- SHAKER – Using a quality cocktail shaker, with room for plenty of ice, is the key to a great frothy French martini. We use either a traditional silver shaker or a clear shaker. Just make sure it has a strainer on top. If yours doesn’t have a strainer you’ll need a fine mesh strainer instead for pouring the drink into the glasses.
- GLASSES – We love the elegant look of an etched coupe glass, but a traditional v-shaped martini glass works well too. Regardless of the shape use a chilled martini glass.
Make-Ahead Tips
Planning a party and want to prep ahead of time? Great idea!
- Chill everything!
- If making fresh pineapple juice make it ahead of time and then shake well before prepping the cocktails
- Premix the Chambord, pineapple juice, and vodka and refrigerate. When ready to prepare the drink add ice to a shaker and proceed as above
FAQ
- Why is it called a “French Martini”? This cocktail wasn’t invented in France but Chambord liqueur is produced in France, thus the name. Want to make it even more French? Use a French vodka brand, such as Ciroc, Vodka Mariette, or Grey Goose.
- Who invented the original French Martini? It was one of the many specialty cocktail recipes to appear in one of restaurateur Keith McNally’s New York City bars. The original recipe was on the cocktail menu at McNally’s famous Balthazar in SoHo and this classic recipe was popularized by the “King of Cocktails” Dale Degroff.
- Is this cocktail a true martini? A French martini cocktail isn’t technically a martini cocktail but has the name because it’s served in a martini glass. This fruity cocktail is a lightly sweet drink while a classic gin martini or dry vodka martini is not sweet at all.
- Should I refrigerate Chambord? It is shelf-stable but we recommend chilling it. It tastes great on its own, poured over a glass of ice.
Perfect appetizers to serve along with French Martinis:
- Our Honey Roasted Cashews are a sweet, salty snack that is perfect for happy hour
- Baked Brie with Garlic pairs perfectly with these slightly tart martinis
- Crab Cakes with zesty homemade Cocktail Sauce are an ideal appetizer or great as a light meal
French Martini
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 2 martini glasses
Ingredients
- 4 ounces premium vodka
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce Chambord liqueur, or similar such as Mathilde Framboise (2 TBSP)
- ice cubes
- 6 raspberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shake about ½ full with ice cubes
- Add vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord to the shaker
- Shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds. The shaker will get very cold, so consider wrapping it in a dish towel. You want some froth to develop in the shaker
- Strain gently into 2 martini or coupe glasses
- If desired, garnish with a few raspberries, and serve
Notes
- This drink works best if all of the ingredients are chilled before using
- Use whole ice in the shaker. Crushed ice melts too quickly and will dilute the martini
- Just need one martini? Simply cut the ingredients in half
- For an extra cold drink chill the glasses in advance
Nutrition
It packs a lemony punch.
This recipe, with 4 simple ingredients, is a quick and easy way to make the perfect lemon drop martini and tastes like sunshine in a glass.
Trees will be packed with lush Meyer lemons. These juicy lemons make the best cocktails. We love to serve them up as an aperitif for family and friends and order them on our girls night out.
Lemon Drop Martini Ingredients
- Large Meyer Lemons – see below for more about Meyer lemons
- Vodka – pick a smooth vodka because it’s the star of the show
- Simple Syrup – easy recipe below or read our full step-by-step post to make your own simple syrup.
- Sugar – to garnish the rim
- Ice – to chill the cocktail
How to make a Lemon Drop Vodka Martini
Instructions for making Lemon Drop Martinis:
- Prepare simple syrup, set aside, and let it cool. (See directions for preparing below)
- Coat a small plate with 1/4 cup of regular sugar and set aside
- With a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze 1/2 of a large lemon into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Set aside the squeezed lemon for later
- Add 2.5 ounces of vodka
- Add a large splash of simple syrup
- Shake until the shaker is so cold it’s hard to hold
- Use the saved squeezed lemon and wet the rim of the glass by running it around the rim.
- Dip the wet martini glass rim in the plate of sugar to coat and make a perfect sugared rim. The sugared rim off sets the tartness of the lemon juice.
- Pour the shaken mixture with the lemon drop cocktail into the martini glass with it’s homemade lemon sugar rim
- Top the martini with a slice of lemon or lemon wedge
- Serve and enjoy!
The origin of this favorite cocktail
The first idea for this delicious cocktail was inspired by the original lemon drop candy. The candy blended together both the sweet and sour flavors. The original drink was served in the 1970’s at Henry’s Africa Bar, by the bartender Norman Jay Hobday. He first served it in a regular cocktail glass. It soon became a classic cocktail in the city of San Francisco, where they now serve it in a chilled martini glass.
Equipment needed to make this Classic Martini
How do you make Simple Syrup?
Simple syrup is easy to make with the basic ingredients of just equal parts of sugar and water. This is an easy overview, if you need more directions just out our simple syrup post.
- Heat water in a saucepan over medium heat until hot. (This recipe calls for 1/2 cup water)
- Stir in sugar and cook until it is fully dissolved. (This recipe calls for 1/2 cup sugar)
- Cool to room temperature before using
- Can be stored for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.
What is in a Lemon Drop Martini?
This delicious drink is made with 4 main ingredients. Juice from fresh lemons, vodka, and simple syrup. We like to make this simple drink with Meyer lemons. If Meyer lemons are not available you can use any type of regular lemons which is easily available.
Meyer lemons are a cross of a citron and mandarin orange, which makes them sweeter than other varieties of lemons. They are a favorite and we use them in all types of recipes.
The great thing about our recipe is you can control the sweet/tart level in your cocktail. Add more simple syrup for more sweetness or additional fresh lemon juice for more tartness.
The calorie count for our Lemon Drop martini recipe is just 125 calories per cocktail making it a great Happy Hour cocktail choice!
What makes a Martini a Martini?
The definition of a Martini is a cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. Over the years the modern-day martini has transformed into a mixologist or home bartenders dream cocktail, allowing for your individual creativity.
Additional Martinis to shake things up!
- French Martini
- Pumpkin Spice Martini
- Orange Creamsicle Martini
- White Chocolate Snowflake Martinis
- Chocolate Martini
- Red Velvet Martinis
Lemon Drop Martini
Equipment
- Martini/Cocktail shaker
- Martini glass
- Lemon juice squeezer
Ingredients
- ½ large lemon
- 2 ½ ounces vodka
- 1 large splash simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 1 cup ice for the shaker
- ¼ cup sugar for the glass rim
Simple Syrup:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
Garnish:
- ½ lemon cut into slices
Instructions
- Prepare simple syrup and let it cool. (See directions for preparing below)
- Coat a small plate with 1/4 cup of sugar, set aside
- With a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze 1/2 of a large lemon into a martini shaker filled with ice. Set aside the squeezed lemon for later
- Add 2.5 ounces of vodka
- Add a large splash of cooled simple syrup
- Shake until the shaker is so cold its hard to hold
- Used the saved squeezed lemon and wet the rim of the glass by running it around the rim.
- Dip glass rim in plate of sugar to coat the rim
- Pour the shaken drink into the prepared martini glass
- Top martini with a slice of lemon
Simple Syrup:
- Bring the sugar and water to a simmer and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool. Reserve remaining simple syrup in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Simple syrup can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator
Nutrition
When I think of the perfect dessert it’s not always cake. It might be cake in a glass with these delicious Red Velvet Martinis. They can also be served as an aperitif. Beautiful and festive they will make any occasion special.
Ingredient list for making Red Velvet Martinis
This drink recipe is quick and easy to prepare. Your guests will be more than impressed because they are showy and delicious!
These are the ingredients you will need to make these perfectly delicious Martinis
- Bailey’s Red Velvet Liqueur
- Vanilla Vodka
- Raspberry Syrup for drizzle on glasses
- Red Velvet Cake pieces (optional)
Prepare the Martini Glasses with a Swirl of Raspberry Syrup
Ingredients for Red Velvet Martinis 
Glass swirl with raspberry syrup 
Red Velvet Martini
Step by Step for making these amazing Red Velvet Martinis
- In a martini shaker add 1/2 cup of ice
- Add 2 ounces of Vanilla Vodka
- Add 1 ounce of Bailey’s Red Velvet Liqueur
- With a squeeze bottle of raspberry syrup, swirl the empty martini glasses with a ring of syrup along the rim of the glass
- Close the martini shaker tightly with a lid and vigorously shake
- Pour the Red Velvet Martini into the prepared martini glasses
- Garnish with a small piece of Red Velvet Cake (optional) and serve
Winter Dessert Martini 
Red Velvet Martinis in the afternoon
Syrup and Garnish options:
I love the flavor of raspberry and chocolate, it hits all the right buttons for me. However, with this martini, everyone can have their favorites. Here’s a couple of syrup and garnish options for you to try. The base cocktail will stay the same.
- Try a Cherry syrup for the swirl and a piece of Red Velvet Cake.
- Strawberries are always a hit with chocolate. Use a strawberry syrup for the swirl and garnish the glass with a strawberry.
- Chocolate syrup for the swirl and a piece of Red Velvet Cake.
- You can also use a raspberry on the glass with the raspberry syrup swirl.
Serve these Martinis with some sweet treats from our site:
Red Velvet Martinis
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker, martini glasses, squeeze bottle
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vanilla vodka
- 1 oz Bailey's Red Velvet Liqueur
- 1 swirl of raspberry sauce
- 1 Piece Red Velvet Cake, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Add 1/2 cup of ice to a cocktail shaker
- Top with 2 ounces of vanilla vodka
- Add 1 ounce of Bailey's Red Velvet Liqueur
- Close the martini shaker with lid and vigorously shake
- With a squeeze bottle of raspberry sauce swirl the empty martini glasses with a ring of syrup along the rim of the glass.
- Pour shaken Red Velvet Martini into the prepared martini glass
- Garnish the rim with a 1"x1" piece of Red Velvet Cake, if desired
Notes
- Raspberry sauce for swirling can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator
Nutrition
Whether you serve them as an aperitif or an after-dinner drink they are sure to be the hit of the night. These delicious and decadent martinis are chock full of warm Fall flavors.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Martinis:
- Vanilla Vodka
- Baileys Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- Cinnamon
How to make Pumpkin Spice Martinis
This recipe is quick and easy to make. Your guests will be more than impressed because they are delicious!
The key to this simple recipe is our Easy Pumpkin Spice Syrup. This recipe beats anything you can buy in a store with its fresh ingredients. You will love the warm Autumn flavors.
The Pumpkin Spice Syrup can be made ahead of time and kept on hand for many different recipes. You will also find this pumpkin syrup used in several recipes on our site, including Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Pie Boozy Shake. Both recipes can be found in the Beverages and Cocktails category on this site.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup can easily be kept in a squeeze bottle in your refrigerator so it’s ready to go whenever you want to make great recipe!
Step by step instructions for making Pumpkin Martinis:
- Fill a martini shaker with a half a cup of ice
- Add 2 ounces of Vanilla Vodka
- Add 1 ounce of Bailey’s Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
- Take the squeeze bottle of syrup and swirl the empty martini glasses with a ring of syrup along the rim of the glass
- Close the martini shaker tightly with a lid and vigorously shake
- Pour Pumpkin Spice Martini into prepared martini glasses
- Garnish with a small pinch of Cinnamon on top
Pumpkin Martinis 
Pinch of cinnamon on top
Looking for other martini ideas?
Pumpkin Spice Martinis
Equipment
- 1 Martini shaker
- 1 Martini glass
- 1 squeeze bottle optional
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce Bailey's Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
- 1 Glass Swirl pumpkin spice syrup, Recipe link in Notes below
- Pinch cinnamon, Garnish the top of martini
Instructions
- In a martini shaker add half a cup of ice.
- Add 2 ounces of Vanilla Vodka
- Add 1 ounce of Baileys Pumpkin Spice Liqueur
- Fill a squeeze bottle with pumpkin syrup and swirl the empty martini glasses with a ring of syrup along the rim of the glass
- Close the martini shaker with lid and shake vigorously
- Pour Pumpkin Spice Martini into prepared martini glasses
- Garnish with a small pinch of cinnamon on top and serve
Notes
- Click here for the recipe for Pumpkin Spice Syrup