the life LOCATION: Ariete DRINK: Dirty Martini This take on a dirty martini spotlights one key ingredient and that’s a special olive brine that has a distinctive bold, salty and slightly bitter flavor. Although it’s a variation of the original gin martini, this dirty martini has also become a staple cocktail, but with one slight tweak. It’s not mixed with vermouth, but instead it’s simply rinsed through the glass and poured out so that the martini has just a hint of it — perfect for those looking for a bone dry martini.
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CLASSIC A crisp martini has a coquettish aura that draws us in and makes us feel swanky with a daring hint of mystery. WORDS BY CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT
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or all its straightforward simplicity, the martini is a drink with secrets. Its origin is a veiled enigma with some stories claiming it came from Martinez, California, while others stating it was in fact created in San Francisco. Wherever it came from, the martini has been cemented in history with devoted fans like Winston Churchill, Alfred Hitchcock, Ernest Hemingway and James Bond, not to mention television’s favorite New York fashion girl, Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw. Our Fall 2020 project? Sipping and savoring to bring you the very best Magic City martinis.
LOCATION: Toscana Divino DRINK: Watermelon Martini
LOCATION: 1-800 Lucky DRINK: Tea Time
This refreshing tropical drink tops the list thanks to its fresh ingredients and balanced flavor. In true Italian fashion, sweet watermelon is muddled with basil, not mint, and then vodka, a touch of simple syrup and fresh-squeezed lemon juice are shaken in. At home, whether you’re stirring or shaking your martini, make sure all your ingredients are as cold as possible. Pro tip: Double strain to remove all impurities from the watermelon.
Keeping with the traditional martini base, 1-800 Lucky veteran bartender Ben Angel created this cocktail with lychee liqueur and matcha tea reduction to honor Lucky’s Asian roots. This gin-forward cocktail’s tropical notes and herbal flavors make it a fun, refreshing drink to sip outside in the courtyard now that the food hall has reopened. Pro tip: At home, pick a gin that’s not too assertive. It shouldn’t be too floral or too dry.
INGREDIENTS 1½ ounces of watermelon juice 1½ ounces of vodka ¾ ounce of lemon juice ¾ ounce of simple syrup 2 basil leaves, muddled In a separate glass, muddle basil leaves. This helps to release the flavors of the fresh ingredients. Shake until blended well. Double strain into Martini glass. Garnish with basil leaf and enjoy. toscanadivino.com.
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INDULGE | OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 | miamiindulge.com
INGREDIENTS Vermouth Bianco 2½ ounces of vodka ½ ounce of olive brine 3 olives stuffed with bleu cheese Ice Rinse martini glass in vermouth bianco (pour out). Pour 2½ ounces of vodka into a stirring glass with ½ ounce of olive brine. Add ice and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into rinsed martini glass. Serve with 3 bleu cheese or gorgonzola stuffed olives. arietecoconutgrove.com.
INGREDIENTS 1 ounce of New Amsterdam gin ½ ounce of lychee liqueur ¼ ounce of Dolin dry vermouth ¾ ounce of matcha tea reduction Combine all the ingredients in a mixing vessel, stir for 20 seconds, strain and pour into a chilled Nick and Nora glass with dehydrated lime wheel garnish. 1800lucky.com.
