French Connection Cocktail Recipe: Easy 2-Ingredient Drink

Want a cocktail that's easy to make but tastes like something you'd order at a nice bar? You should try the French Connection. All you need are two ingredients, some ice, and a couple of minutes to put it together.

This French Connection cocktail recipe combines Cognac and amaretto for a smooth, rich drink with just the right amount of sweetness. And the best part? You don't even need a cocktail shaker or any fancy equipment.

The Cognac brings warm, fruity flavors, while the amaretto adds a sweet, nutty almond taste. They work really well together, especially if you enjoy sipping something a little sweeter after dinner.

It's also a great drink to unwind with at the end of a long day, especially on a chilly evening.

Here's something interesting about this cocktail. It was named after the 1971 movie The French Connection, starring Gene Hackman. No one knows for sure who created the drink, but it's been around for decades.

Ready to make one? Let's start with the ingredients you'll need.

What's in a French Connection Cocktail?

Here's what you'll need to make your French Connection cocktail, along with a few tips on choosing the right ingredients.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Cognac

Cognac is a type of French brandy made from grapes grown in the Cognac region of France. It has a smooth, fruity flavor that pairs really well with the sweet almond taste of amaretto.

When you're choosing a Cognac, you'll usually see labels like VS, VSOP, and XO. These tell you how long it's been aged.

• VS: Younger Cognac with a fresh, fruity taste.
• VSOP: Aged longer, with a smoother flavor and more depth.
• XO: Aged for at least 10 years, giving it richer flavors of oak, vanilla, and spice.

You don't need to spend a fortune on Cognac for this cocktail. Courvoisier VS, Courvoisier VSOP, and Hennessy VS are all good options that work well.

If you don't have Cognac, you can use regular brandy instead. Just keep in mind that the flavor might be a little different from the classic version.

And if you have some brandy left over, you can always use it to make a creamy Brandy Alexander cocktail.

Amaretto Liqueur

Amaretto is a sweet Italian liqueur known for its nutty, almond-like flavor. It helps balance the warmth of the Cognac and gives the cocktail its smooth, slightly sweet taste.

Disaronno is probably the most recognizable amaretto brand, but you can use any brand you enjoy.

You can also adjust how much amaretto you add based on your taste. If you prefer a less sweet cocktail, use a little less. Want something sweeter, almost like a dessert drink? Add a bit more.

Equipment You'll Need

YYou don't need a full bar setup to make this cocktail. Just a few basic tools will do the job.

• Rocks glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Cocktail strainer (optional)

If you enjoy making cocktails at home, having a stainless steel cocktail making kit can make things a lot easier. It keeps your essential tools, like a jigger, bar spoon, and strainer, all in one place.

And don't worry about pulling out your cocktail shaker for this one. A French Connection is stirred, not shaken.

How to Make a French Connection Cocktail

Making a French Connection cocktail is pretty simple. You just need to add ice, pour in your ingredients, and give everything a quick stir. Here's how to do it.

Start by filling a rocks glass with ice. Using plenty of ice helps keep your drink cold without watering it down too quickly.

Next, measure and pour in the Cognac and amaretto. Since you're only working with two ingredients, getting the right amounts makes a big difference in how your cocktail tastes.

Give everything a gentle stir with a bar spoon for about 10 to 15 seconds. This helps mix the ingredients, chill the drink, and slightly soften the alcohol's bite.

If you want a nicer presentation, you can also stir the ingredients with ice in a separate mixing glass, then strain the drink over a fresh large ice cube.

You can enjoy your French Connection as is, or add a lemon or orange twist for a little extra citrus aroma. Just twist the peel over the glass to release its oils.

And that's it! Your cocktail is ready to enjoy. You'll find the exact measurements and full step-by-step instructions in the recipe card below.

Tips and Tricks for the Best French Connection Cocktail

Want to make your French Connection cocktail taste even better? Here are a few simple tips to help you get the flavor just right.

• Choose a good Cognac. Since you're only using two ingredients, the quality of your Cognac really matters. You don't need anything expensive, though. A decent VS or VSOP Cognac will work just fine.
• Adjust the sweetness to your liking. If you like sweeter cocktails, try using equal parts Cognac and amaretto. For something less sweet, go with a 2:1 ratio. The 3:2 ratio in this recipe gives you a nice balance of both flavors.
• Don't stir for too long. About 10 to 15 seconds is all you need to mix and chill the drink. If you stir too much, the ice can melt and water down your cocktail.
• Use a large ice cube. If you like to take your time sipping, a large ice cube is a good choice since it melts more slowly. You can also skip the ice altogether if you prefer a stronger drink.
• Try adding a citrus twist. A little lemon peel can help balance the sweetness, while orange peel adds a softer citrus flavor that goes really well with the amaretto.
• Experiment with different Cognacs. A younger VS Cognac gives your cocktail a lighter, fruitier taste. If you prefer something richer, try an older XO Cognac for hints of oak, vanilla, and spice. You can also use it to make a
• classic Harvard cocktail.

French Connection Cocktail Variations

Want to try something a little different? You can easily change up your French Connection cocktail by adjusting the ingredients or how you serve it. Here are a few variations worth trying.

• Equal-Parts French Connection: If you like sweeter drinks, try using equal parts Cognac and amaretto. This is also the version recognized by the International Bartenders Association (IBA). You'll get a sweeter cocktail with a more noticeable almond flavor.
• Less-Sweet French Connection: Prefer something less sweet? Use a 2:1 ratio of Cognac to amaretto. This lets more of the Cognac's fruity flavor come through without as much sweetness from the amaretto.
• French Connection With a Citrus Twist: For a little extra flavor, twist a piece of lemon or orange peel over your drink to release its oils. It adds a fresh citrus aroma that goes really well with the sweet, nutty flavors.
• French Connection Served Straight: If you'd rather skip the ice, pour your cocktail into a brandy snifter instead. This is a more traditional way to enjoy it. You can even warm the glass slightly with your hands to help bring out the aromas.
• French Connection No. 2: Want to try a different flavor? Swap the amaretto for Grand Marnier, an orange liqueur made with Cognac. You'll get a drink with a rich orange flavor instead of the usual almond sweetness.

More Amaretto Cocktails to Try

Have some amaretto left over? Don't let it sit in your liquor cabinet! There are plenty of other amaretto cocktails you can make with it, and most are just as easy to put together.

Here are a few you might want to try next:

• Godfather
• Godmother
• Godchild
• French Connection Coffee
• Amaretto Sunrise
• Amaretto Stone Sour

If you're looking for more ideas, check out our list of the best amaretto cocktails. Or, if you want something quick and easy, take a look at these easy 3-ingredient cocktails you can make at home.

Frequently Asked Questions