French Blonde
A bright, elegant martini that layers gin, elderflower, grapefruit, and Lillet Blanc for a floral, citrus-forward cocktail with effortless sophistication.
Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.
Ingredients
2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
2 ounces Lillet Blanc
1 ounce gin
½ ounce elderflower liqueur
3 dashes lemon bitters
Grapefruit peel
Instructions
Place a coupe glass in the freezer for 5 minutes.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the grapefruit juice, Lillet Blanc, gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon bitters.
Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until well chilled.
Double strain into the chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a grapefruit peel.
Notes from the Bar
Lemon Bitters swap
If you don’t have lemon bitters, substitute ½ ounce of fresh lemon juice. The drink will taste a little brighter and more citrus-forward, while bitters add a subtle complexity and depth.
No Lillet Blanc?
Lillet Blanc can be hard to find. Cocchi Americano or dry vermouth both make good stand-ins without changing the drink too much.
Elderflower Liqueur
We use St-Germain in this cocktail. Most liquor stores carry a smaller 375ml bottle, which is perfect if you don’t use it often.
Choose Your Glassware
Serve in a chilled coupe glass for the most elegant presentation. A Nick & Nora glass also works well if that’s what you have on hand.
Garnish Options
A grapefruit peel adds a lovely aroma with each sip. If you don’t have grapefruit, try a lemon twist instead.
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
Make It a Date Nite
This cocktail is part of something bigger for us. It's a ritual we return to week after week.
Each week, we create a Date Nite designed around one drink, one thoughtful menu, and the feeling of slowing down together. The kind of night where the table is set with intention, the music hums softly in the background, and the evening unfolds without rushing.
For this Date Nite, we’ve paired a cocktail with a cozy, make-ahead-friendly menu, so you can enjoy the process without spending the whole night in the kitchen. We also include little touches we love like timing notes, a head start option, and a playlist to set the mood. Feel to pair the meal with any of our cocktails.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And turning an ordinary night at home into something that feels quietly special.
Each Date Nite includes a curated menu, cocktail pairing and a playlist, as well as another thoughtful extras like make-ahead tips, leftover ideas or table talk prompts to carry the night.
Kevin & Kate
Stories worth Savoring
Our latest blog posts for inspiration, reflections, and recipes.
