French Connection recipe
Cognac meets amaretto in a velvety after-dinner sipper.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Cognac (VS or VSOP)
- 1 oz Amaretto (Disaronno)
How to make a French Connection
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour cognac over the ice.
- Add amaretto.
- Stir gently to combine.
Garnish
None
Pro tip
Use a large ice cube to slow dilution — this drink is best when cold but not watered down.
History of the French Connection
Named after the 1971 Gene Hackman film, this simple two-ingredient cocktail became a staple of 1970s-80s bar culture. The combination of French cognac and Italian amaretto represents a cross-cultural collaboration in a glass.
Flavour profile
Sweet, Nutty, Warm, Smooth
Variations
- Godfather — Scotch instead of cognac — smokier and more robust
- Godmother — Vodka instead of cognac — lighter and more neutral
- French Connection No. 2 — Add a dash of orange bitters for citrus complexity
Practise making the French Connection in the free Virtual Bar game.