This fantastic Frenchie cocktail recipe is so delicious, not only because it contains refreshing citrus juice, but also because the gin and St. Germain liqueur are perfectly balanced!
This fantastic Frenchie cocktail is new for me. My first thought when I sipped it was, “Where have you been all my life?”
Then I remembered that I couldn’t have had this Frenchie cocktail sooner because it’s only recently that I’ve discovered St. Germain liqueur. The Châtelaine cocktail is another recipe that uses this delicious elderberry cordial!
If you’ve used St. Germain before, what do you usually make with it? I’d love to know, so leave me a comment.
I’ve read online that this delicious cocktail was named “The Frenchie” by someone in England because it calls for elderberry liqueur. Who knows if it’s true? I certainly don’t. Maybe because in the Englishman’s mind, French equals flowery equals sweet equals elderberry liqueur? Or maybe because St. Germain was French?
Maybe. So, what do you think? And if you know why it’s named the Frenchie cocktail, do tell!
Tips for making the Frenchie Cocktail
- You can use either freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, or store bought. I prefer store bought because 1) it tastes so good and 2) you would need to squeeze a lot of grapefruits to make this drink, which is not cost effective.
- Use a mid-level gin as you really won’t be able to taste the difference
- There are a few elderberry liqueurs out here, but I like St. Germain because it doesn’t cost a lot of money and tastes amazing
- You can choose to either shake this cocktail or stir it. I love shaking because it creates micro-chips of ice from your ice cubes
There are only three ingredients for this lovely cocktail: gin, St. Germain and ruby red grapefruit juice. Look at that! It’s so easy.
How to Mix the Frenchie Cocktail
Pre-step
Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice and cut a few grapefruit wedges and a wheel. After measuring out each ingredient, pour it into the shaker.
Step one
Measure 4 ounces of gin. (1)
Step two
Measure 1 1/2 ounces St. Germain liqueur. (2)
Step three
Measure 6 ounces of grapefruit juice. (3)
Step four
Cap that cocktail shaker and shake it for 30 seconds before pouring the contents into the glasses. If you need a few more ice cubes, add them now.
Step five
Float a 1/2 slice of ruby red grapefruit in the wide glass and place wedges as garnish on the rim of each glass.
Vertical view
And the overhead shot because the view is fine!
I hope you enjoyed this Frenchie cocktail recipe!
Other grapefruit juice cocktails on Dishes Delish:
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this Frenchie cocktail or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
- 4 ounces gin (I used Bombay Sapphire)
- 1.5 ounces St. Germain liqueur (or other elderberry liqueur)
- 6 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice
- 2 ruby red grapefruit wedges
- 1/2 ruby red grapefruit wheel for martini glass
- Collins glass
- large martini glass
Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice, add gin, St. Germain and grapefruit juice
Cap shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Or stir vigorously with a cocktail spoon
Pour the contents between the two glasses and add ice if needed, place a half wheel of grapefruit in the martini glass and garnish both rims with a grapefruit wedge.
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
If you can't have grapefruit juice, I bet this would be good with orange juice too!
Tips for making the Frenchie Cocktail
- You can use either freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, or store bought. I prefer store bought because you would need a lot of grapefruits to squeeze to make this and it isn’t cost effective
- Use a mid-level gin as you really won’t be able to taste the difference
- There are a few elderberry liqueurs out here, but I like this brand because it doesn’t cost a lot of money and tastes amazing
- You can choose to either shake this cocktail or stir it. I love shaking because the ice breaks up and you get little ice chips floating in your cocktail
Updated, but first published October of 2017
I would love to try this cocktail. Looks so refreshing.
Thanks Maggie! It’s delicious!
What an elegant cocktail and I just love the name!
Thanks Catherine!
I’ve seen the St Germain liquor in stores but never really had a reason to buy it but I was totally curious about the elderberry flavour! Now I have a reason to try this out! 🙂
It’s sweet but not too sweet Joyce and pairs really well with gin!
Sounds delicious and such a pretty color too!
Thank you Jenn!
We are always looking for a new cocktail to serve at parties. You had me at ruby red…
Lol Maria!! Yay. This truly is a fun and delicious one!
My hubby and I have just been discussing all kinds of drinks and what we would like to try next. We bought some wine a few days ago so it is all classic this weekend. However, it definitely needs to be gin and liqueur very soon because this recipe is just amazing! I also like how great the photos look with the right amount of light on details and at the same time keeping the background perfectly balanced! 😍🥂
Thanks so much Helena! I so appreciate it! 🙂
This Frenchie must be English as I never heard of it here in France, but then again my social drinking life is very limited so I cannot be trusted. I will check it out and let you know what I hear about the Frenchie in France
Laura, I think someone in England invented it because of the Elderberry liqueur!
Love that this is made with grapefruit! I don’t see that often! Yum!!!
Thanks Tisha. It’s such a yummy cocktail!
I’m a fan of cocktails but I’ve never use elderberry liquer. Will have to keep an eye out for it!
Thanks, Matt. Elderberry liqueur, has such a lovely taste and really goes well with gin.
Bottoms up is right! What a beautiful and refreshing drink. Love all the citrus.
Thanks so much Ginny! 🙂
What a delicious refreshing cocktail! After my day I will take 3 please.
Hehe. Thanks Heidy! Have a lovely weekend.
I am not a huge drinker, but I love Grapefruit in my drinks. The taste is just amazing.
Thanks Sandi! I’m very fond of grapefruit anything!
Love this combination of spirits. After tonic water, grapefruit juice may be the best thing that ever happened to gin!
Hehe, Christopher! Thanks 🙂
I have a whole story for you… so hang in there!
I threw a cocktail party for my husband’s birthday last night. I knew I wanted a good combo of options. But I’m not a big drinker at all, usually I’m ordering gin and tonic at a bar. So I knew I needed recipies I could trust. You had me at your gorgeous photos and details that helped me navigate the daunting liquor store.
I knew I wanted something I could serve from a pitcher to keep things moving… so I used your Cherry Margarita recipe with generous helping. Huge hit. We called it “Bowl Full Of Cherries Margarita” after a saying my husband uses frequently.
I knew we needed a chocolate martini because it’s his favorite drink. So we used yours with the caramel vodka. Huge hit. People were a little wary but always pleasantly surprised. I bought cheap plastic shot glasses and had samples going to let guests try. Great way to keep things moving.
Then we needed a strong standard to hold down the fort. So I chose the Bourbon Manhattan. I told the salesguy at Total Wine “I need a bourbon that’s cheap but makes me look like I know what I’m doing” He chose Watkins. Went over like a charm.
But the star of the night was the Frenchie! My husband is of French descent so when I saw the name I knew we needed it to close out the menu. Everyone was excited when they saw the grapefruit slices and I used a whole bottle of Bombay Sapphire. I was really surprised how well this one went over. But glad I chose it!
I thought you would enjoy the story of my victory. Yesterday was the first time I’d ever mixed a drink… you heard that right…. and it was a smashing success. Husband was happy, friends were happy and impressed… which makes me happy. Thank you!
Abigail, I can’t even tell you what this comment meant to me. It really made my day. Thank you so much for liking my cocktails and sharing them with your friends and family! AND thank you oodles for sharing your fun and awesome story and taking the time to comment!