Mathilde Framboise 750ML

Mathilde Framboise 750ML is a French raspberry liqueur made by Maison Ferrand, bottled at 18% ABV (36 proof) in a 750ml format. Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 93 points from the Tasting Panel, this expression stands apart from most fruit liqueurs through its use of three distinct raspberry varieties and an entirely preservative-free production process.

Quick Facts: ABV: 18%  |  Origin: France  |  Style: Raspberry Fruit Liqueur  |  Producer: Maison Ferrand

Production & Heritage

Maison Ferrand, the acclaimed French spirits house behind Plantation Rum and Pierre Ferrand Cognac, produces Mathilde Framboise using a maceration method rather than distillation, which preserves the vibrant natural color and pure fruit character of the berries. The liqueur blends three specific raspberry cultivars: Lloyd George from Scotland, prized primarily for its bright crimson hue, alongside Rose de Plombières and Violette de Boux from Burgundy, which contribute the intense aromatics and layered flavor. Whole berries are pressed into a puree and macerated in a neutral alcohol base, with no preservatives, stabilizers, or artificial additives introduced at any stage — making the final product entirely natural.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with warm raspberry compote and ripe, just-picked berry fragrance. Deeper inhalation reveals subtle floral notes and a suggestion of raspberry sorbet, clean and immediate without any cloying sweetness.

Taste: The entry is soft and supple, immediately coating the palate with concentrated raspberry jam and cherry-pie-filling richness. At mid-palate, a fruity sweetness builds with nice dimension and purity, balanced by enough acidity to keep the profile from tipping into syrupy territory. The Beverage Testing Institute, which awarded the liqueur a Gold Medal in 2009, noted its crisp and balanced palate quality.

Finish: The finish runs long and gently warming, trailing off with floral talc and a raspberry coulis fade. A faint whisper of vanilla lingers at the very end, adding a polished closing note.

How to Drink Mathilde Framboise

At 18% ABV, Mathilde Framboise drinks beautifully chilled and poured neat as a digestif, or over crushed ice as a standalone sipper in warm weather. Its natural fruit intensity and lower proof also make it a versatile cocktail ingredient.

• French Martini: The liqueur's concentrated raspberry character replaces or supplements Chambord here, pairing seamlessly with vodka and pineapple juice for a richer berry dimension.
• Kir Royale variation: A small measure floated into Champagne or dry sparkling wine adds vivid color and genuine raspberry depth without the artificial sweetness of cheaper alternatives.
• Bramble: Swapped in for crème de mûre, Mathilde Framboise gives the classic gin-based cocktail a brighter, more aromatic raspberry twist that pairs especially well with London Dry gins.

Best For

• Gifting a cocktail enthusiast who values artisanal, all-natural ingredients
• Building a premium home bar liqueur shelf beyond the usual suspects
• Hosting a brunch where sparkling cocktails need a natural fruit component
• After-dinner sipping alongside desserts featuring berries, chocolate, or cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mathilde Framboise taste like? Mathilde Framboise delivers an intense, pure raspberry flavor profile reminiscent of warm berry compote, raspberry jam, and a touch of vanilla, with a long, gently warming finish. It is sweet but balanced by enough natural acidity to maintain freshness.

How does Mathilde Framboise compare to Chambord? While Chambord blends raspberries with blackberries, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel, and cognac to create a more complex, multi-layered liqueur, Mathilde Framboise focuses squarely on pure raspberry character using three distinct cultivars — resulting in a more singular, fruit-forward expression. Mathilde Framboise is also slightly higher in ABV at 18% compared to Chambord's 16.5%.

Is Mathilde Framboise good for cocktails? Yes — its concentrated natural raspberry flavor and moderate 18% ABV make it an excellent cocktail modifier in drinks like the French Martini, Kir Royale, and Bramble, where genuine fruit character matters more than alcohol strength.

Where is Mathilde Framboise made? Mathilde Framboise is produced in France by Maison Ferrand, one of the country's most respected spirits producers, known also for their cognac and rum ranges. The raspberries themselves are sourced from Scotland (Lloyd George variety) and the Burgundy region of France (Rose de Plombières and Violette de Boux varieties).

What foods pair well with Mathilde Framboise? Dark chocolate torte pairs beautifully, as the berry intensity cuts through rich cocoa. Vanilla panna cotta benefits from a drizzle of the liqueur as a sauce. Fresh chèvre or aged brie echoes the fruit-and-cream dynamic found in the finish. Lemon tart creates a pleasing sweet-tart contrast, and duck liver pâté with berry compote finds a natural companion in the glass.

What sizes does Mathilde Framboise come in? Mathilde Framboise is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Mathilde Framboise worth the price? Mathilde Framboise positions as a premium fruit liqueur, sitting above mass-market raspberry options in both price and quality. Its use of three named raspberry varieties, all-natural production with no preservatives, and multiple Gold Medal awards justify its place in the upper tier of the category.

Why Mathilde Framboise?

What separates Mathilde Framboise from the crowded field of raspberry liqueurs is the specificity of its ingredients and the discipline of its production. Three named raspberry cultivars — each selected for a distinct contribution of color, aroma, or flavor — are macerated without the addition of any preservatives or stabilizers, a claim few competitors can match. The result earned a Gold Medal at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 93 points from the Tasting Panel, placing it among the most critically recognized fruit liqueurs available. For anyone who has settled for generic raspberry sweetness in their cocktails or dessert pours, this expression demonstrates how much complexity a single fruit can deliver when treated with this level of intention.