This cocktail popped up on my feed recently, The French Martini. I’ll admit, I’d never heard of it before, but as luck would have it, I already had everything I needed on hand.

Traditionally, the French Martini combines vodka, raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice. Reading those ingredients, I figured it might lean a little too sweet for my taste. So, to balance things out, I added a couple dashes of orange bitters, which gave it just the right touch of depth and complexity.

It also gave me the perfect excuse to dust off my bottle of Chambord, the same one I last used during the U.S. Open to make Honey Deuce cocktails. (If you know, you know.)

The result? A beautifully balanced cocktail that’s fruity, slightly tart, and dangerously easy to sip.

Why does this cocktail work?

What makes the French Martini so good is its balance of sweet, tart, and smooth flavors. The vodka gives it a clean backbone and lets the other ingredients shine. Chambord, with its rich raspberry and subtle vanilla notes, adds depth and a touch of luxury. Then the pineapple juice brings bright acidity and just enough tropical sweetness to round everything out.

By adding a couple dashes of orange bitters, the drink gains a hint of spice and complexity that cuts through the sweetness, keeping it from feeling like a dessert cocktail. The result is silky, fruity, and just sophisticated enough to feel special.

🍸 Ingredients for The French Martini

• 2 oz vodka (we like Grey Goose)
• 1 oz Chambord (or other raspberry liqueur)
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• 2 dashes orange bitters

🍍 How to Make The French Martini

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice and bitters.
3. Shake well, approximately 20-30 seconds.
4. Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
5. Garnish with raspberry or pineapple wedge.
6. Enjoy!

Did you try my version of The French Martini? Let us know in the comments. Check out some of our other cocktail recipes. Please consider following us on IG, X, FB, PI, BSky or TT.