With all the burger joints, Brooklyn-style bars and buzz over brunch, one begins to wonder which country Paris is in these days. But in spite of the US invasion, one proud Gaul has opened a new bistro that not only goes by the patriotic name of A la Française, it also serves only products from France and other francophone countries. Stephen Martin, voted France’s best mixologist in 2009, is reviving the Parisian spirit through cocktails. 

After 26 years of bartending in high-profile bars, Martin realised Paris lacked a venue specialising in traditional French mixed drinks. Two years of research later, A la Française opened last month in the trendy 11th arrondissement.

Martin’s new venture is a history lesson taught through food and drink. You can indulge in a coquetel, a term coined by Martin to describe his drinks, which focus more on flavour than alcohol content. The eight coquetels cost from €5-€8 and include bygone classics like Le Vermouth Cocktail d’Emile Lefeuvre, a 19th-century aperitif of Quintinye Royal vermouth, a Breton triple sec and homemade bitters. Creative new drinks include the signature L’Eau Fraîche, a mix of Suze, peach syrup, gin from Burgundy, tonic water and rosemary liqueur.

Those who prefer simpler drinks can try a galopin (15cl glass) of Alsatian beer Fischer for €1.50. French wines are also available for around €4 a glass.

This month, A la Française opened a second bar downstairs, where the drinks are stronger and there’s a state-of-the-art Divatech sound system built into the wall, for late-night revellers.
• facebook.com/coquetels