The French Martini is a luscious, sweet cocktail that is, in fact, not really a Martini at all. Made up of vodka paired with black raspberry liqueur, lime juice and pineapple juice, it’s a fruity cocktail that’s approachable as well as being visually appealing, thanks to its striking colour and creamy foam texture, which comes from a hard shake.
The ‘French’ in its name refers to the core ingrdient of black raspberry liqueur, which originated in France. And because it’s served in a trademark V-shaped glass, it became known as the French Martini. Created in the late 1980s in New York, it may be far from a Classic Martini, but the cocktail boom of the 1980s and ’90s saw this become a huge hit. And it still stands up as a crowd-pleasing fruity and delicately sweet cocktail.
Other versions of the French Martini switch out black raspberry liqueur for crème de cassis, which is made from blackcurrants and gives the cocktail more of a tart taste. Cranberry juice can also stand in for pineapple juice, although this doesn’t achieve the same frothy texture and foam the pineapple creates.
Wondering if the French Martini is for you? This is the perfect drink for those who prefer their cocktails a little sweeter, while still providing a sophisticated vibe that’s fit for any special occasion.
