It’s not technically a Martini—nor does it try to be—but the name stuck, and no one’s ever really complained. The French Martini is built on vodka, softened by the sweetness of pineapple juice and lifted by a raspberry liqueur of unmistakably French origin (hence the name).
The Origins of the French Martini
In the timeline of cocktail history, the French Martini is a relatively young creation. It emerged in the late 1980s, though its exact date of birth remains uncertain. What is known is that it first appeared in New York City, at one of restaurateur Keith McNally’s venues.
While the exact author is debated, the drink is widely attributed to Dale DeGroff, one of the pivotal figures of the modern cocktail renaissance. What is certain is that in 1996, DeGroff added the French Martini to the menu at Pravda—a bar focused on vodka and part of McNally’s growing hospitality empire.
Its real breakout came shortly after, when the cocktail joined the drink list at Balthazar, another McNally hotspot in SoHo. That move brought the drink out of niche circles and into the wider New York scene.
Around the same time, it crossed the Atlantic and made its way to the UK, drawing attention from bartenders eager to explore its fruit-forward, clean profile. Among its early admirers: the late Dick Bradsell. With both Bradsell and DeGroff behind it, the French Martini quickly gained global recognition—and credibility.
The French Soul of the Drink
In 1980s New York, fruit-driven cocktails were very much in vogue. And at the heart of the cocktail lies a fruit liqueur from France’s Loire Valley, where it’s been made since 1685. The recipe has changed little over the centuries: cognac, raspberries, blackberries, vanilla, citrus peel, and honey.
While raspberries dominate the palate, the liqueur itself is relatively light, sitting at 16.5% ABV. Its elegant, slightly decadent character is what gives the French Martini its signature softness and balance.
The Official French Martini Recipe
Recognised by the International Bartender Association and included in its New Era section, the French Martini is simple, precise, and deeply satisfying. Here’s the certified version.
Ingredients
- 45 ml vodka
- 15 ml raspberry liqueur
- 15 ml fresh pineapple juice
Method
Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice, then fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish
A twist of lemon peel.
Immages courtesy Julie Couder x Coqtail, location Dry Milano – all rights reserved
