The French Connection cocktail is a simple yet elegant two-ingredient drink that’s perfect for slow sipping. The combination of cognac and amaretto, is rich, smooth, and full of cozy, complex flavor.
This cocktail first showed up in the 1970s and was named after the film The French Connection. While no one knows exactly who created it, we’re definitely glad they did. It’s a great after-dinner drink or nightcap—and the best part? You can mix one up in under two minutes.
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Ingredient Notes
The French Connection is a classic cocktail and it is on the list of International Bartender Association’s official cocktails. This means that it has an “official” definition that dictates its ingredients and quantities.
- Amaretto - Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur that adds delicious almond notes to this cocktail. It is both sweet and bitter - amaretto literally means “little bitter” in Italian. We recommend using a good-quality Amaretto for this recipe as drinks this simple rely on quality spirits more than cocktail recipes with mixers do.
- Cognac - Cognac is a type of French brandy that is made from distilled wine, giving the flavor a nice fruity base. There are several grades of Cognac that show how long it’s been aged: VS (2 years), VSOP (4 years), Napoléon (6 years), and XO (10 years). We suggest using a good quality VS or VSOP Cognac to make a French Connection Drink. Keep in mind when choosing your cognac that younger cognacs provide a fresher, more fruit-forward flavor, while the older types bring oak barrel accents like vanilla and spice.
How to Make a French Connection Cocktail
You can make a French Connection Drink right in the serving glass. So it is a quick and easy drink to make without the need for any fancy bar equipment. And while we enjoy it on the rocks, many connoisseurs agree that this drink is better straight - so the choice is yours!
- STEP ONE - Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
- STEP TWO - Add the amaretto and cognac. Give it a gentle stir and serve immediately.
Variations
Make it a French Connection No. 2 (aka The Beautiful) - Replace the amaretto with Grand Marnier, an orange-flavored liquor with hints of vanilla and oak.
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Recipe
French Connection Cocktail
Equipment
Instructions
- Fill an old-fashioned lowball glass with ice cubes.Ice Cubes
- Add the amaretto and cognac. Give it a gentle stir.1 ½ ounce Cognac, 1 ounce Amaretto Liqueur
- Serve immediately. Traditionally this drink is served without any garnish - but feel free to add your own if so desired.
Notes
- The French Connection is a perfect drink for serving with large ice balls or large cubes. These will melt more slowly than standard-sized ice cubes and prevent your drink from becoming too diluted too quickly.
- This recipe is for one serving. If you are hosting a crowd, you can multiply the ingredients by the number of guests and make the drink in a pitcher or jug.
- Use a jigger or a measuring cup to measure your ingredients accurately. A precise measurement can make a big difference in the balance and flavor of your cocktail.
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