What do you get by mixing three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet, shaken until it's ice cold and topped with a thin slice of lemon peel? James Bond's classic martini…the perfect martini, if you will. Made legendary by 007 himself, the martini is one of the world's most classic cocktails. But we've taken a look at some top hotel bars that are shaking (not stirring) things up on this classic recipe.
You can't get more classic than a martini in New York. The iconic hotel's Salon de Ning bar is known for their extensive martini menu. Among the most popular cocktail is the Hot as a Cucumber, which uses Salsa Picante Chile Habanero: El Yucateco hot sauce, a lot of fresh lime and an extra dash of St. Germaine elder flower. Spicy!
South of the border in Los Cabos, guests can sip a refreshing martini at Capella Pedregal. Their Mexican Perfect Martini has two ounces of Beneva Añejo Mezcal, one ounce of agave syrup, four pieces of lemon and six sticks of thyme. The concoction is muddled together in a Boston Glass. Shake well and serve in a martini glass with a garnish of lemon.
At the legendary Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, bartenders are serving up a Southeast Asian twist on the martini. The Lemongrass & Chili martini muddles Asian flavor with apple flavor before being briskly shaken. They are also serving up an Orchid martini which uses tart passionfruit and sweet strawberry with neutral vodka and a dash of lime, served in a brown sugar-rimmed glass.
Home of our martini-drinking hero himself, you would expect London to have a truly killer martini. The cocktail bar at Dukes London in St. James is the spot to go for a Bond-style cocktail. In fact, it was the dry martini at Dukes that was the inspiration of the legendary "shaken, not stirred" line. Dukes Bar has teamed up with London-based fragrance maker Floris to create the Fleming '89 cocktail. Ian Fleming, author of James Bond was also a visitor at Floris, where is fragrance of choice was No. 89. The Fleming '89 cocktail combines vodka infused with Tonka beans, chocolate bitters, Dukes' specially-made English Amber Vermouth, Stolichnaya ELIT vodka and rose liqueur.
The sexiest martini, we say, goes to Hotel Unique in São Paulo. The ultra chic rooftop Skye Bar is pouring out a signature Red Skye Martini, named after the signature crimson red swimming pool. The bar itself also has sweeping views over Ibirapuera Park and the São Paulo skyline.