Kimberly Fisher is a Pursuitist contributor, and a freelance writer…
In the bustling metropolis of New york City, few cocktails demand the same level of sophistication and allure as the martini. With National Martini Day approaching on June 19th, celebrate martini moments with us and some of the best martinis in NYC:
two fifteen, PUBLIC Hotel
215 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002
Sexy bar and lounge two fifteen inside PUBLIC Hotel (a collaboration between Ian Schrager and Khan, who partnered at Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel in 2006) is featuring a version of Espresso Martini topped with golden coffee beans, and created by Award-winning Master Mixologist Charlotte Voisey, who also created the cocktail menu at Rose Bar. If a classic cocktail is calling you, don’t miss the Rose Gold Vesper, reimagined with extra body, gin, vodka, lillet rose and white port.
Downtown staple American Bar is the perfect ambiance (brass-rail cocktail lounge, old world private club aesthetics) to sip their Pornstar Martini (Body Vodka, Vanilla, Passion Fruit and Prosecco) or The American Bar (blend of Grey Goose Vodka or Amazzoni Gin, vermouth and lemon bitters) or super popular espresso martini.
Go for the glam at Bar Bastion above Le Jardinier by international restaurant group The Bastion Collection, which collectively holds nine Michelin stars. Bar Bastion features a build-your-own martini menu where you can build your perfect martini order in just three steps. Start with either gin or vodka, then opt for desired amount of vermouth (classic to dirty), and finish off with a choice of garnishes including homemade blue cheese stuffed olives and pickled onions.
You can’t have a martini list about New York City without including Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle Hotel. This iconic property is know for their decadent martinis and live music, and draws a crowd of socialites, trendsetters and celebrities. The martini selection includes MADELINE’ S VESPER (Bombay Sapphire Gin, Grey Goose Vodka, Cocchi Americano Vermouth),
THE EARL GREY (Absolut Elyx, Earl Grey Tea, Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice), ALWAYS AT THE CARLYLE (Volcan de MI Tierra X.A Reposado Tequila,Mancino Secco Vermouth, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto Aperitif Liqueur , Kinome Leaf),
THE GIBSON (Procera Blue Dot Gin, Cocchi Americano Vermouth, The Japanese Umami Bitters, Pearl Onions, Nori Dust) , MEZCALINI (Siete Misterios Doba-Yej Mezcal, Mancino Secco Angostura Bitters), and ELAINE’S SMOKEY MARTINI (Roku Gin, Lagavulin 16 yr Single Malt Scotch Whisky,Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth).
No power lunch is complete without a martini, and Casa Lever makes it easy with their caviar & martini menu. The martini menu features three options: the Casa Lever Martini (gin, marsala samperi, dry vermouth, caperberry), the Gibson ( Olive Gin, extra dry vermouth, poached pearl onion) and the Turandot (Stoli Elit, Botanical Vermouth, Grapefruit Bitters, Maldon).
Nothing pairs better with a martini than a side of caviar, and Michelin-starred restaurant Caviar Russe has you covered, without breaking the bank. With Martini Hour every Monday-Friday from 4:30 – 7:00 PM at its ground floor bar, sip on a ALB Vodka Martini or a “Caviar” tini (vodka, lillet, elderflower,pomegranate) paired with a tasting portion of its ultra-decadent Caviar Coronet ($25) or Caviar Lobster Rolls ($35), making it one of the most accessible ultra-premium caviar tasting experiences in the city.
With one of the best views of Central Park in the city, Darling Rooftop on the 47th floor of Park Lane Hotel is Central Park South’s only rooftop lounge. The Darling Unlimited, created by the Darling bar team is a fresh take on a martini, made with Grey Goose Vodka, lemon juice, spiced pear liqueur, ginger syrup, angostura bitters, and Aquafaba, then garnished with saffron flowers.
This cocktail bar specializes in martinis, and even does $10 martini Tuesdays starting at 5:30pm. Try the Grand Tour Martini (Grey Goose Vodka or Amazzoni Gin, vermouth and lemon bitters), Lychee Martini (Grey Goose Vodka, Manzanilla and Lychee), Cafè Martini (Casamigos Reposado, Kahlua and Espresso) and the Selena-tini (Body Vodka, Turbo Grapefruit, Bitters).
Typically martinis and Mexican cuisine, don’t go hand in hand, but at midtown Lolita, an agave and sugarcane distillates focused cocktail bar and cocina, Beverage Director Marshall Minaya and Head Bartender Carlos Kennedy-Lopez have the Pico de Gallo Martini, made with a Oaxacan gin derived from re-milled agave fiber after a mezcal distillation, paired with a clarified pico de gallo water and manzanilla sherry, perfect for National Martini Day.
Soho classic Milady’s run by Julie Reiner features an innovative cocktail program, including The pink-hued Milady’s Martini (Fords Gin, Rosé Vermouth, Fino Sherry, Santoni Amaro) and the Big Apple Martini (Bombay Sapphire, Skyy Vodka, Apple Brandy, Green Apple) are both staples on the Milady’s menu.
The Alderman is an ode to the New York City Renaissance, and the stylish restaurant serves unique twists on classic favorites, such as the Fennel Seed Martini (Belvedere vodka, Martini & Rossi Bianco, fennel seed, and Giffard Pamplemousse liqueur) and a unique tableside martini cart service, where diners can select their base from a variety of spirits and create a unique martini specially made to order.
Photo: The Standard, High Line
The Standard Grill at The Standard, High Line
848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
The iconic Standard Grill has been a mainstay in the Meatpacking District since its opening, and remains a hotspot for downtown dining. Celebrate National Martini Day on the outdoor patio of The Grill sipping the S.G. Gibson, a savory London Dry Gin Martini offered two ways – onion or dill pickle. If you choose the onion, the team adds the long-standing hotel recipe for cocktail onions alongside a few dashes of house-made caramelized onion infused vermouth. For the Dill Pickle option, a Dill Pickle brine is added from ‘The Good Pickle’, alongside Dry Vermouth and Dill Aquavit.
Located in the East Village, this lively cocktail bar from founder Evan Hawkins serves up top-tier cocktails in an unpretentious atmosphere. Try the Romeo’s Gin Martini, made with London Dry Gin, Blanc Vermouth, and Romeo’s unique Strawberry Red Onion Mignonette, or the Romeo’s Espresso Martini, a blend of espresso, coffee cordial, smooth vodka, dark rum, and topped with Hazelnut Cappuccino Foam.
Trendy elNico at Penny Williamsburg is the place to be for approachable yet sophisticated dishes and cocktails influenced by Latin culture. Try the exquisite Olive Oil Martini (Grey Goose vodka, Baldoria Dry Vermouth, Ambrato Vermouth, and Fino topped with frozen olive garnish), created by bar director Cristhian Rodriguez.
Kimberly Fisher is a Pursuitist contributor, and a freelance writer that has been published in over 50 publications including Huffington Post, Just Luxe, Sherman's Travel, Ocean View, Luxury Lifestyles UK, USA Today and more. (Disclosure: Kimberly is under contract with Casa Del Sol Tequila).
