Dirty Martini Dip, Caprese Martinis, & More Creations To Dig Into On National Martini Day
Whether you prefer it shaken or stirred, you can’t deny the classic elegance of a martini. So this June we’ve got our eye on one specific date: Wednesday, June 19th. Why, you may ask? Because it’s National Martini Day, of course!
But if you ask us a National Martini Day celebration deserves way more than gin, vermouth, and a lemon peel. That’s why we’re going beyond the classic recipe with dirty martini dip, tiny ‘tinis, and even caprese salad…in martini form. If you’d like to join us, check out our favorite classic martinis and martini-centric creations you can find around NYC:
Best Spots in NYC for a Classic Martini
For when there’s no time for frills–you want a martini and you want it now.
Gage & Tollner
Gage & Tollner opened in 1879 in downtown Brooklyn–arguably the borough’s oldest restaurant and bar–and considering they’ve been operating for nearly 150 years you know know they’ve gotten the classic martini down to perfection. Visitors can choose between vodka or gin.
372 Fulton St.
Le Crocodile
This French brasserie is one of NYC’s most beautiful restaurants, and beyond their mouthwatering French fare they’re also pouring an absolutely delicious classic martini made with Amalfi Coast Gin, Cucumber Botanical Vodka, dry vermouth, and lemon oil.
80 Wythe Ave.
The Long Island Bar
The exterior of The Long Island Bar may look like a neighborhood dive, but the bar has been open for decades and is a must-visit if you’re looking for a classic martini. Bartender Phil Ward, whose been here for nearly a decade, and is obsessed with martinis and martini derivatives so you just know it’ll be a good one!
110 Atlantic Ave.
Best Spots in NYC for a Dirty Martini
For when you’re looking to *add a bit of spice* and zhuzh up the classic martini.
Chez Zou
Located three floors above its sister restaurant Zou Zou’s, Chez Zou’s signature dirty martini, the Dirty Zou, combines Olive Oil Vodka and Grape Leaf/Dill Brine in a mouthwatering proportion, and serves it with Shankleesh Olives.
385 9th Ave.
Dante
Dante makes their dirty martini with Reyka Vodka, Cinzano 1757 dry, olive oil, and olive bitters, and they also add St. Germain, a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers that adds such an interesting touch.
551 Hudson St.
Martini Pepperoncini – Bad Roman
Okay okay, so it’s not the dirty martini we’re all familiar with but it still deserves a spot on this list–Bad Roman’s Martini Pepperoncini. It may sound a bit weird to some but take it from us: don’t knock it til you try it because it’s pretty damn delicious. This iteration pairs Grey Goose, pepperoncini brine, and lemon zest into a perfectly balanced martini.
3rd floor, 10 Columbus Cir
Dirty Pickle Martini – The Bonnie
Aaaand since we included a pepperoncini martini we have to include this dirty martini iteration as well: the Dirty Pickle Martini at Astoria’s The Bonnie. This martini combines Breckenridge vodka with McClure’s pickles into what is a pickle lover’s dream cocktail.
29-12 23rd Ave.
Best Spots in NYC for an Espresso Martini
For when you’d like to sip on a martini but also have a long night of dancing under glittering disco balls ahead of you.
Kuroba Espresso Martini – Crave Sushi Bar
Not your average espresso martini, the Kuroba Espresso Martini at Crave Sushi Bar highlights unique Japanese ingredients. The martini features a black sesame syrup made in-house and black walnut bitters, which adds a rustic warmth to each sip.
947 Second Ave.
EO Espresso Martini – Employees Only
Landing the #15 spot on North America’s 50 Best Bars list, Employees Only has been called the “New Yorkiest” cocktail bar in the city, so they’re not only a must-visit in general, but they’re also a must-visit for their espresso martini which combines Grey Goose Vodka shaken with fresh espresso and a hint of cinnamon.
510 Hudson St.
FREEHOLD
Considering FREEHOLD is an award-winning coffee shop by day, we’re not surprised that their espresso martini is out of this world. It’s made with Tito’s vodka and FREEHOLD’s famous house recipe (Counter Culture cold brew concentrate and Caffè Borghetti coffee liqueur) and topped with dark chocolate shavings. They also offer $2 oysters and $10 martinis every Wednesday!
45 S 3rd St., Brooklyn
American Bar
American Bar’s espresso martini is made with Grey Goose, espresso, and Caffe Lolita, a Mexican coffee liqueur which has hints of chocolate and seamlessly blends with the espresso flavor. It’s served extra cold, shaken or stirred. And once you’ve finished it you can also order a classic martini, pornstar martini, or lychee martini.
33 Greenwich Ave.
Best Spots in NYC for Unique Martini Creations
For when all the classic martini recipes we’ve come to know and love just aren’t doing it for you.
Dirty Martini Dip – Chelsea Living Room
Chelsea Living Room recently debuted in the heart of Chelsea serving as a supper club and lounge where they’re offering live music and a pianist, classic cocktails, and our favorite: Dirty Martini Dip. The dip is a lighthearted wink to the classic cocktail and is topped with sliced olives and served with an assortment of crackers. It’s super rich (in the best way possible), 1,000% worth ordering, and absolutely drool-worthy.
243 W 14th St.
Caprese Martini – Jac’s on Bond
Why just eat your caprese when you can drink it too?! This quintessential Italian antipasto, which combines fresh mozz, tomatoes, and sweet basil, is being served cocktail style over at Jac’s on Bond. The Caprese Martini combines olive oil, tomato, and basil-infused Grey Goose vodka with Lustau blanco, and balsamic vinegar–and what’s created is the most innovative cocktail we’ve seen in a while.
26 Bond St.
Cold A$$ Martini, Really Wet Martini, & more – Bar Bonobo
This sexy new cocktail bar that recently opened in Chelsea not only serves ’70’s Italian disco meets New York City, but they also serve several different riffs on the classic martini. There’s the Cold A$$ Martini made with Malfy Gin or Verita Vodka and Cinzano 1757 Dry Vermouth, the Really Wet Martini made with Malfy Gin, Cinzano 1757 Dry Vermouth, and charred scallions, and the CornStar Martini made with Verita Vodka, Chinola, and vanilla which comes with mouthwatering truffle popcorn, just to name a few!
184 8th Ave.
Vegemite Martinis – Ra-Ra Rhino
Ra-Ra Rhino is not only serving up funky and tropical vibes, but they’re also taking you down under with their totally unique Vegemite Martini, or aptly named the Vegemitini. The martini combines Vegemite-infused gin martini paired with Haku Vodka, Noilly Prat extra dry vermouth, and sherry. And they now offer a mini version of it during their happy hour along with their Ultimate Dirty Martini and Dill Martini!
1329 Willoughby Ave.
Compost Feta Brine Martini – Mr. Melo
Mr. Melo, a vibey, analog dance bar, opened its doors in Williamsburg this past December, but what really hooked us was their “compost cocktails.” No, they don’t have compost in them, rather they repurpose the byproducts from their kitchen into imaginative libations, such as their Feta Brine Martini which seamlessly combines Greek feta, olives, white vermouth, and Misguided vodka into the most delicious sip.
61 Withers St.
Tiny ‘Tinis – Tao Uptown
As part of Tao Uptown’s new happy hour available Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm, they’re pouring their already popular Tiny ‘Tini Flights for just $15. The flight includes a choice of three miniature martinis from their expansive list. Think: espresso, dirty, apple, and even lychee! Even more, the happy hour also includes dumplings for just $1!
42 E 58th St.
Best Spots in NYC for Happy Hour Martini Deals
For when you’re looking to sip on a martini–and maybe pair it with a bite to eat–without breaking the bank.
$9 Happy Hour Martinis – Emmett’s on Grove
Martinis are good, but martinis for $9 during happy hour are even better, and thankfully Emmett’s on Grove offers just that every Tuesday through Friday from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. They offer the martini two ways during happy hour–with Tito’s or Letherbee gin–and we must say they pair perfectly with their olives and chicken parm sliders!
39 Grove St.
Burger + Gin Martini Happy Hour Combo – Ray’s Bar
The only thing better than a classic gin martini is one that comes with a burger–and Ray’s Bar serves just that! Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm, Ray’s Bar curates the ultimate happy hour combo with a burger by Michelin-starred Chefs and a crisp gin martini.
LES – 177 Chrystie St.
Greenpoint – 905 Lorimer St.
A Martini & Caviar Cornet Happy Hour Pairing – Caviar Russe
Monday through Friday from 4:30 pm to 7 pm Caviar Russe hosts a Martini Happy Hour where you can get a martini (or two…or ten) with a complimentary caviar cornet!
538 Madison Ave.
$9 ‘Tini Tuesdays – Castell Rooftop Lounge
Midtown rooftop hidden gem Castell has just launched ‘Tini Tuesdays, during which their most popular martinis–classic, dirty, and espresso–as well as Cosmopolitans and Manhattans are just $9 all night long! And if you’re looking to splurge they also just introduced a $40 Dirty Caviar martini which comes with blue cheese stuffed olives topped with caviar.
AC Hotel – 260 W 40th St.
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