Why Philadelphia Loves Martinis in Drink

Martinis are versatile cocktails, offering everything from fruity fun to sensual seduction. However, master bartenders know that creating the perfect martini requires careful consideration of several key components: List below are a few of our favorites.

1. Art in the Age

Art in the Age's experts has created a hotdog-inspired Weenie Martini for this summer. The unique cocktail is crafted with ingredients that belong to a hotdog, including potato vodka, tomato-infused vermouth, celery bitters, and pickle brine. It's topped with a skewered tomato, cornichon, and a hotdog wheel.

2. The Dutch

The Dutch, the popular breakfast-through-dinner eatery with a focus on reinventing the Pennsylvania Dutch classics, recently revived its seasonal cocktail selection, available during dinner service, to include a spirited riff on the hyper-trendy "pickletini" with Chow-Tini: a salty and savory ensemble of gin, chow-chow pickle juice, and celery bitters, that is stirred and garnished with a pickled pearl onion. Chow-chow, a pickled relish from North America in the early 20th century, is an ingredient that can be used to make a cocktail. 

3. Red Owl Tavern

Red Owl Tavern on Independence Mall is launching a new summer cocktail menu on Monday, June 19. The bartender, Christopher Devern, will be helping with the launch. Devern has created a vibrant cocktail inspired by martinis called Blossom Martini. It is a floral-forward drink made with purple pea flowers, Roku Gin damiana, Lillet Blanc, and lavender honey.

4. Rex at The Royal

Rex at The Royal in Philly, the city's most elevated Southern food destination, invites martini lovers to enjoy a Royal Martini in its recently renovated and stunning South Street location. The Royal Martini is a luxurious drink made from a Spanish Gin washed in olive oil, Spanish Dry Vermouth, and Herbs de Provence. Birchrun Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives garnish it.

5. Royal Boucherie

Royal Boucherie in Old City, a lively and atmospheric neighborhood bar and restaurant, serves Hazel's Secret martini infused with various herbs. Hazel's Secret is a dill-infused cocktail with a pickled ramp in-house and fiddlehead fern. It pairs well with charcuterie, fromage boards, and other French brasserie dishes at Royal Boucherie. Hazel is the great-grandmother of one of Royal Boucherie's mixologists. The house-pickling liquor was her recipe.

6. Forsythia

Shawn Miller, Director of the Beverage Program at Forsythia in Old City's contemporary French Restaurant and Bar, has created a mocha-forward drink called Third Time's the Charm. This craft cocktail, made with vodka, Rival Brother's espresso, ginger, and chocolate, is perfect for a post-dinner drink or a happy hour libation.

7. Square 1682

Square 1682 is a modern American kitchen on the ground floor of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar. The bartender Alex Clark has created a delicious espresso martini named Express Yo' Self. This energizing elixir, made with Brugal Rum Anejo, Caffe Borghetti espresso, and coconut milk, is perfect for weekend brunches or after-work drinks.

8. Joseph's Pizza Parlor

Joseph's Pizza Parlor in Fox Chase, a legendary pizzeria serving hand-tossed pies and cheesesteaks since 1966, offers a trio of Italian-inspired martinis at its dimly-lit, old-school, inside-the-pizzeria bar. Joseph's Pizza Parlor's Espresso Martini, a hidden gem in craft cocktails, is a delicious cocktail made with coffee-infused vodka and simple espresso syrup. The different martini-inspired drinks include the Limoncello Martini, made with limoncello and Stateside Vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Another variation, Tiramisu Martini, consists of Nola Coffee Liqueur, Tiramisu liqueur, Dutch Caramel Vodka, and heavy whipping.

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