First bursting onto the scene in the 1980s, the French martini is a modern drink with a classic cocktail feel that continued to garner even more popularity in the 1990s and quietly remains as a commonly requested and enjoyed cocktail today. Although martini in name only, it is a spirit-forward cocktail, relying on vodka and Chambord, a raspberry liqueur. But more recently, sparkling wine or champagne has started to appear in recipes, adding to the drink's indulgent flavor. However you shake it, a French martini with Champagne is here to stay.
Chambord's Original French Martini Recipe
The original variation has withstood the test of time, but if you want a fizzier version, feel free to add a splash of Champagne at the end.
Ingredients
- 1¾ ounces vodka
- ½ ounce Chambord or raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce pineapple juice
- Ice
- Raspberry for garnish
- Champagne for fizz, optional
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with a splash of Champagne, if desired
- Garnish with raspberries.
Sparkling French Martini
It's an unofficial rule that everything is better with Champagne or prosecco.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- ½ ounce Chambord
- ½ ounce pineapple juice
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Variations of the French Martini
As popular cocktails do, the French martini with Chambord and Champagne inspired variations. With a fine-tuning of additions and substitutions, bartenders have created drinks with a similar flavor but distinctive personalities.
Vanilla Vodka French Martini
Raspberries and vanilla play so well together, so as you fine-tune your take on this recipe, feel free to change the ratios based on personal preference, particularly if vanilla is a favorite flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce Chambord
- ½ ounce pineapple liqueur
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, Chambord, and pineapple liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
French Martini with Brandy
Brandy tends to pull a little sweet, with notes of fruit or citrus zest, sometimes even a floral palate, but this all complements the bite of the sparkling wine and weaves seamlessly into the raspberry flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- ¼ ounce Chambord
- ¾ ounce brandy
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
- Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, and brandy.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with lemon wedge.
Sapphire French Martini
If gin is your preferred spirit, then this variation is ideal for you. The juniper and raspberry make a great match, making this recipe an absolute standout.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- ¾ ounce Chambord
- ½ ounce pineapple liqueur
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, Chambord, and liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
French Almond Martini
When you think of breakfast and raspberry pastries, you might think of a raspberry danish with chopped almonds atop. You'll have the same thoughts with this French martini recipe variation.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- ¾ ounce Chambord
- ½ ounce almond liqueur
- Ice
- Champagne
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, and almond liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
Marseille French Martini
A little more off the path than other French martini variations, this is a sweet middle ground between the classic recipe and a Clover Club.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- ½ ounce Chambord
- ½ ounce pineapple liqueur
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Champagne
- Raspberries for garnish.
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, Chambord, pineapple liqueur, and an egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake well to mix and to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with raspberries.
Orange French Martini
The orange liqueur mixes with the Chambord to give this recipe an even more summery feel.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Chambord
- ¾ ounce vodka
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce pineapple liqueur
- Ice
- Champagne
- Orange wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, and liqueurs.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with orange wedge.
Pink French 75 Martini
A mix of the classic French 75 and its estranged sibling the French Martini, this recipe prioritizes the bubbles.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce lemon vodka
- ¼ ounce Chambord
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces Champagne to top off
Instructions
- In a flute or coupe glass, add vodka, Chambord, and simple syrup.
- Top with Champagne.
Citrus Garden French Martini
This recipe uses a little bit more of a sour flavor but is still reminiscent of the classic French Martini with the Champagne adding some fizz to bring all the flavors home.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce grapefruit vodka
- ¾ ounce Chambord
- ¼ ounce pineapple juice
- ¼ ounce grapefruit juice
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
- Grapefruit wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, and juices.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with grapefruit wheel.
Peach French Martini
Honestly, what else declares decadence more than the addition of Champagne to a French Martini? Peach. It's an unexpected flavor that adds that something extra.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce peach vodka
- ½ ounce Chambord
- ½ ounce pineapple liqueur
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
- Raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, Chambord, and pineapple liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Top with Champagne.
- Garnish with raspberries.
Tips for Using Champagne in a French Martini
Champagne gives a festive feel, but many people are nervous about choosing and using Champagne in cocktails. Here are a few guidelines to make this easy.
- Don't feel the need to bring home a three-figure bottle of Champagne, but stay away from the bottles under $4.
- While Champagne taste is a personal preference, you may want to opt for something closer to a brut, but if you do love sweet, feel free to go big.
- For best results, chill both the Champagne and glasses ahead of time.
- Don't add Champagne with the other ingredients in a shaker, this will take away any fizz and end with a messy cocktail.
Hopes and Cheers
French martinis are an incredible drink, then you add Champagne and suddenly everything is even better. The French martini is also an incredibly versatile cocktail that works well across flavors and spirits, so be sure to mix and match flavors as you go. Here's one to get you started on your journey, consider playing with Chambord, almond, and vanilla. Now, learn about more French cocktails you'll surely want to try.
