As classic cocktails reemerge in updated forms on modern bar menus, the martini arises as a frequent canvas for experimentation. Even traditional takes hew to personal preferences: Order it with gin or vodka, dry or wet, dirty, garnished with olives or a lemon twist.
While varieties such as the espresso martini, Cosmo and lemon drop are well established, lately you’ll find even more interpretations pushing the boundaries of what a martini can be.
The house martini (as over-the-top as it might be) can serve to emphasize an establishment’s broader themes. Think: a version with pasta water at an Italian American spot or a hearty meat-and-potatoes option from a classic steakhouse. With a food scene that blends influences from near and far, it’s no surprise that local restaurants and bars take every opportunity to subvert the classic drink.
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“I always love any chance I can get to put a little culinary flair into a martini,” said Philip Ross, beverage director for the Lonely Oyster, where you’ll find one garnished with a caviar-topped oyster. “We’ve got so many other ones coming down the pipe.”
Head to a stylish Japanese restaurant in Hollywood to sip a martini with herbal green tea alongside omakase, or to a museum’s courtyard bistro to try a produce-driven option paired with a daily-changing prix fixe menu. Here are 14 martinis in Southern California that break the mold: