Temple Bar
For folks who inevitably order a martini every time they go out on the town, it can be difficult to upgrade what’s already arguably a perfect drink. However, restaurants all over New York City have set their sights on giving the classic cocktail updates and upgrades, from adding caviar “bumps” to creating a brine that takes weeks to perfect.
The Bilbao Martini at Temple Bar
332 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
This dimly-lit, buzzy celebrity hot spot is a must-visit for a perfectly made martini. In fact, Temple Bar might just have the most infamous martinis in New York City at the moment, because for an extra $20, guests can add a “caviar bump” to their ‘tini of choice, which is exactly what it sounds like. The Bilbao Bar martini is made with gin and uses anchovy oil; other inventive martini offerings include the “Summertime Sadness,” made with elderflower and cucumber, and the Salt & Pepper Martini, which includes saline and celery and is delightfully sippable.
Sartiano’s
Is a filthy martini not quite dirty enough for you? Venture to Sartiano’s for the Dirty Umami Martini, a savory, elevated upgrade that takes weeks to create. Bond Hospitality and Sartiano’s beverage director Adam Baca told Observer, “The brine itself takes a week to make, as we infuse it with three different olive brines, a mix of herbs and spices, capers, peppercorn brine with a sheet of Kombu seaweed to draw out the umami flavor all balanced out with a little bit of verjus.” The brine isn’t the only element that sets this cocktail apart from the rest–it also comes with a spoonful of truffle caviar that Baca promises “enhances the umami perfectly.”
elNico
Craving a truly savory martini? Try this Tomato Martini, made with sun dried tomato-infused blanc vermouth, pickled vermouth and koroset, which adds minty and herbal flavors, as well as tomato water. The colorful cocktail lounge is located in the Penny, one of Williamsburg’s newest hotels.
The Press Club Grill
The Press Club Grill embraces nostalgia and will bring guests back to the Mad Men days (which means you could always indulge in a lunchtime martini, just like Don Draper). Bar director Max Green (who was previously at hot spot Amor & Amargo) wanted the cocktail program “to pay homage to the classic, while bringing a bit of contemporary flare into the mix,” which is how the drink came about. The Bombay Dry Gin-based cocktail is made with a pickled red cocktail onion, a mix of vermouths and a homemade honey tincture with orange bitters. Green said they mix the cocktail up in advance, and let it sit in the freezer.
Superbueno
Don’t feel like sipping a savory cocktail? Try the Green Mango Martini at Superbueno, this always buzzing Mexican-American cocktail lounge, which was inspired by subway vendors who serve up fresh mango topped with spicy tajin. The Patrón is infused with green mango for 24 hours, and then topped off with chili oil for a spicy kick and honey for sweetness. Co-owner Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez crafted the creative cocktail and described the combination as “refreshing, round and smooth.”
Mad Bar & Lounge at the NH Collection
An inventive martini roundup would be incomplete without an espresso option. This hotel bar, which also channels Mad Men vibes thanks to its Madison Avenue location, pays tribute to the ad agencies of the ‘60s. Mixologist and head bartender Phil McKenna crafted a Peanut Butter Espresso Martini for the fall cocktail menu, which includes peanut butter screwball whiskey, espresso, half and half and a bit of house-made simple syrup, and is garnished with a peanut butter stick as a decadent treat.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic martini or one of the inventive options showcased above, there’s never been a better time to try something new and adventurous. From savory to sweet, and with a plethora of unique flavors and presentation styles, there’s sure to be something for every palate and occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
* What is the most outrageous martini flavor combination available in New York City? The Bilbao Martini at Temple Bar, made with gin, anchovy oil, and a $20 caviar “bump.”
* Where can I find a hotel bar that offers a mad men-inspired Peanut Butter Espresso Martini? Mad Bar & Lounge at the NH Collection.
* What hotel bar is inspired by 1960s ad agencies? Mad Bar & Lounge at the NH Collection.
