French Connection

This two-ingredient cocktail is one of the simplest in the IBA cocktail list with the perfect blend of cognac and amaretto. Serve it with ice cubes and you will get a gourmet cocktail, which is much more than just a combination of 2 drinks. Amaretto gives it an almond smack, which corresponds to the strong taste of cognac.

A short history of the origin of this famous French cocktail

Like most cocktails we know, the French Connection cocktail is of uncertain origin: according to many sources, it was concocted in the 50-60s in the United States, but the history of its name is unknown.

According to others, it was created at a meeting of French bartenders, and hence its name.

The third version of the origin says that the French Connection cocktail was invented in the 1970s and named after the “French Connection“ 1971 movie with Gene Hackman.

The French Connection drink has been on the IBA’s list of official cocktails since 1987 and has 2 very famous variations: Godfather and Godmother.

There is still debate that Godfather and Godmother may be variations of the French Connection, while the connection between the three drinks is obvious.

In fact, these three cocktails are included in the “criminal cocktails” trilogy, the so-called because they are all inspired by characters or groups of people associated with the underworld.

In particular, the idea of creating a French Connection cocktail could be influenced by the activity of the Corsicana-Marseille mafia organization of the same name, which was associated with the international drug trade between Europe and the United States from 1940 to 1970.

French Connection Ingredients

3.5 cl cognac or brandy;
3.5 cl Amaretto.

French Connection preparation

French Connection cocktail is prepared directly in an old-fashioned glass. First of all, you need to add a few ice cubes to the glass, after which you must add cognac and Amaretto in equal parts. Before serving, mix everything very carefully so that the ingredients mix well.

The French Connection cocktail variations

Tommy Klus’ French Connection
There is an unusual variation of the French Connection cocktail that was invented by the American bartender.

Ingredients
3 cl peat Scotch whiskey;
2 cl sweet vermouth;
2 cl liquor.

Godfather and Godmother
This is the well-known French Connection cocktail, but with partially modified ingredients.

For a Godfather cocktail you will need:
3.5 cl Scotch whiskey;
3.5 cl Amaretto.

For a Godmother cocktail you will need:
3.5 cl vodka;
3.5 cl Amaretto.