French Connection Cocktail
This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you make a purchase using one of these links at no additional cost to you. See our Disclaimers and Terms of Use for more information.
The French Connection cocktail has a fun name and is super easy to craft at home. However, don’t underestimate this two-ingredient cocktail that tastes greater than the sum of its two parts. It’s a cocktail keeper.
The French Connection intrigued us before we took our first sips…
For starters, its name reminds us of France. After multiple visits to cities like Paris, Lyon, Dijon and Strasbourg as well as Marseille, we feel a connection to the hexagonal nation.
And, since we met at an Oscars party, we also have an affinity for movies that have won Academy Awards. You guessed it – t
his cocktail was named after The French Connection movie.
What Is a French Connection Cocktail?
A French Connection cocktail is a two-ingredient cocktail crafted with equal parts of Amaretto and Cognac.
It’s also a sweet, potent and easy drink to sip after dinner, preferably next to a fireplace and with a special someone.
History of the French Connection Cocktail
While somebody somewhere invented the French Connection cocktail, we don’t know who to thank or where that happened. But we do know a couple of key things…
We know that the two-ingredient cocktail first showed up in bars in the ‘me decade’ of the 1970s. This is the same decade that The French Connection debuted in movie theaters.
We also know that The French Connection won five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing. The movie told the story of Popeye Doyle and Cloudy Russo, as portrayed by Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, and included one of Hollywood’s greatest chase scenes ever.
And, although neither Hackman nor Scheider imbibed a French Connection cocktail in The French Connection movie, the drink and the film are forever entwined.
Ingredients
Our French Connection cocktail only has the following ingredients:
Yes, the French Connection is a 2-ingredient cocktail not counting the ice. There are no mixers. There are no garnishes. You just need two liquors and, if you’re like us, you already have them in your home bar.
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft a French Connection Cocktail
The first step in this recipe is to place a large ice cube into a lowball glass.
You can use small ice cubes; however, a large cube is the better way to go. Not only do large ice cubes displace more liquid, which chills cocktails faster, they also melt more slowly. Additionally, large ice cubes are très soignés.
Next, measure the amaretto and cognac in a 1:1 ratio. Pour the two liquors directly into the lowball glass as you measure each. We use a Japanese jigger to get accurate measurements and easy pours for both of these liquids.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
The final step is to gently stir the cocktail with a bar spoon. That’s it. This cocktail doesn’t require any garnishes or hoopla.
You could hypothetically add orange peel or a maraschino cherry but don’t do it. We prefer the French Connection without any accoutrements. We suspect that you will too.
Variations
Consider the following options if the French Connection inspires your creative juices:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
French Connection Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces cognac
- 1½ ounces amaretto
- 1 large ice cube
Equipment
Instructions
- Place a large ice cube into a lowball glass.
- Pour cognac and amaretto into the glass.
- Gently stir.
Notes
- You can use several small ice cubes if you don't have a large ice cube tray.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Amaretto, Cognac and a Large Ice Cube
You should use your favorite cognac in this cocktail recipe. We typically use Courvoisier VS Cognac but any cognac will work just fine.
The French Connection Cocktail is stirred, not shaken.
We like to serve this cocktail in a lowball glass, and you should do the same.
📍 Pin This Recipe
