The French Martini

When most people speak of a French Martini they conjure up thoughts of a fruity based vodka drink, a simple mix of vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice, the signature serve of the French, berry liqueur, until recently this was certainly my perception of the drink.

Whilst trawling through vintage liquor advertisements to decor my house, I stumbled across a Seagrams Gin advertisement from the 1970's promoting the Seagrams French Martini, a martini twist that calls for a few drops of cognac to be added to your usual martini. At first I was a little taken back by advertisment, not because of the gentleman's amazing, bushy, facial hair, but rather unusual mix of gin and cognac. After a little considering though, this isn't the first drink to use gin and and aged spirit in a martini twist, i'm thinking the smokey martini, and the fact that Seagrams is a gin which is already acquainted with oak I threw caution to the wind and mixed one of these bad boys up...    

A 1970's advertisement for a Seagrams Gin, French Martini

As suggested I mixed up my regular martini, slightly moist with Noilley Prat vermouth, i'm usually partial to a spot of bitters, rather than the classic addition of orange bitters I felt the need for a spot of aromatics, my French Martini looked a little something like this; 

The French Martini

Seagrams Extra Dry Gin - 50ml

Noilley Prat - 15ml

Martell VSOP Cognac - 1.25ml

Bitter Truth Aromatic Bitters - 1 dash

Stir all ingredients over ice, strain in to a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

The French Martini, Photographed by Sofia Miranda. (No snails were harmed in the taking of this picture)

Having used Seagrams along side bitters and cognac the martini wasn't it's usual crystal clear self, it had a light lemon colour similar to that of a young chardonnay, the aroma was rather interesting with the usual welcome juniper hit supported by light vanilla and a vibrant zest of lemon courtesy of the garnish. The first sip was lovely and smooth with a slight alcoholic bite, the juniper was very dominant with the lemon still hanging around, the subtle vanilla notes from Seagrams made an appearance alongside an unusual oak and winter spice from the cognac and the bitters.

I was very impressed with this drink and will look forward to a bit of experimentation with the proportion and ingredients in my martini, perhaps a perfect martini (equal measures of sweet and dry vermouth) would stand up nicely to a few drops of cognac, I would limit the experimentation of what gin to use to those aged expressions, Seagrams Barrel Proof would be interesting as would Citadelle Reserve, hmmm....

Hope You Enjoy,


Umpleby