French Connection Cocktail

The French Connection Cocktail is a simple amaretto cocktail recipe, and it happens to be one of my favorites! Sippable and boozy, it’s made with just two key ingredients – amaretto and cognac, plus ice. Mix it up for a smooth, flavorful after-dinner drink!

I’ve really been loving amaretto cocktails! The sweet nutty flavor is just too good. One of the easiest and quickest amaretto drinks to mix up is the French Connection. It’s a slow-sipping, classic cocktail that will warm you from the inside out and it makes the perfect after-dinner drink. The aromatic notes of almond in the amaretto paired with the rich flavor of dried fruit and warm spices that cognac has, makes it a great cocktail for the fall and winter season! 

What is a French Connection Cocktail?

The French Connection was supposedly created in 1971 after a movie of the same name, featuring Gene Hackman. The actual inventor of the drink is unknown. The cocktail could not be more simple, yet it’s full of complex, bold flavor. The French Connection drink is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning it can be used in the annual World Cocktail Competition of bartending. It’s made with just two ingredients: cognac and amaretto. 

French Connection Ingredients:

With simple drinks like this, it is always best to use higher quality ingredients. Cognac, aged over 10 years, can definitely get pricey, but you can find great-tasting amaretto and cognac that don’t break the bank. My go-to brands are Amaretto DiSaronno and Courvoisier VS. Both are affordable but still great quality!

• Cognac – Rich and sweet, with a smooth, elegant finish that seems to last forever. Courvoisier VS is a younger cognac with fresher and more fruit-forward flavors. This particular cognac has a delicate and smooth flavor, with many notes of fruit and the aroma of fresh wood.
• Amaretto – A sweet, slightly bitter, almond-tasting Italian liqueur. Disaronno is a popular amaretto brand that’s easy to find and works well in this drink.

How to Make a French Connection Cocktail:

The French Connection Cocktail has an elegant presentation and is commonly served in a lowball glass with ice. However, it can also be served in a brandy snifter without ice. The  method for making this recipe is the easiest and it comes together in just minutes. Here’s the details:

• Fill a lowball glass with ice. Pour in the cognac and amaretto and stir gently to combine.
• Serve and ENJOY!

When to Serve This Drink?

If you’ve got a couple of minutes, then you’ve got time to stir together a French Connection! Because it’s so easy, it’s a great drink to quickly serve at a moment’s notice. Maybe unexpected guests drop by or you decide to have a last minute get together with friends or family! We love to serve this drink:

• For an impromptu happy hour 
• After dinner 
• As a nightcap drink
• For unexpected (or expected!) celebrations

That’s all I have for today! As usual, if you end up making this cocktail, please snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @foodwithfeeling! I always love to see what y’all are making from the blog!

More simple cocktails to try:

• Mojito
• Manhattan Cocktail
• Classic Aperol Spritz
• White Russian
• Bellini- 3 different ways

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