On June 19, we celebrated all things martini on National Martini Day. Now, let’s keep the party going with these 6 martini cocktails at spots all around Los Angeles.
While the traditional martini is made gin and vermouth, today there are endless options in LA to satisfy any drink lovers’ taste. From sweet to smooth, check out these stand out martinis to try locally.
The JOJO at SHOREBar
Summer is here and the perfect time to stop by h.wood Group’s nautical haunt SHOREBar. Beat the heat with their signature cocktail The JOJO which is made with Akvinta Vodka, St. Germain, lemon juice and strawberries. “The drink really embodies what SHOREbar stands for, and what an ideal night out is all about.
It’s a fun light hearted drink that is really refreshing, sweet and bubbly, and not too fussy to enjoy all night,” says Adam Koral, Food & Beverages Specialist of The h.wood Group. Even if you can’t make it to the beach, you can also find The JOJO at all of h.wood Group’s other hotspots including The Nice Guy and Delilah.
“The JOJO cocktail is named after a really good loyal and close friend of The h.wood Group’s and placed it at SHOREbar when we first opened,” says John Terzian, Co-Founder of The h.wood Group. “Adam did such a great job with coming up with the ingredients.”
112 West Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402 P: 310-429-1851, shorebarsm.com
Pumptini at Pump
No one know how to sip in style quite like Lisa Vanderpunp, so naturally when she opened her know famous Pump restaurant back in 2014, she included a pretty pink martini known as the Pumptini. A favorite of Jennifer Lawrence’s, the Pumptini is made with 2 ounces of Vanderpump Vodka (of course), ¾ ounce of Pavan liqueur, ¾ ounce of grapefruit juice, ¾ ounce of lime juice, muddled raspberries and a lime wedge garnish.
The drink is so famous it may need it’s own agent, having made numerous appearances on Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” and “The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.”
8948 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 P:310-657-7867, pumprestaurant.com
5:1 Martini at The Eveleigh
The Eveleigh in West Hollywood is known for it’s farm-to-table plates and rotating menu of artisan cocktails. But sometimes the best sips are often kept a secret. Order off the menu and ask the bartender to make you a Reyka Vodka 5:1 Martini with 2.5 oz .Reyka vodka, .5 oz. Dry Vermouth and two dashes of orange bitters for an ultra smooth twist on the traditional drink.
“Reyka has a lot of science components. Iceland being based where it’s located, how it was created, with arctic water and volcanic filtration and geothermal power, which brings out the spirit of Iceland,” says Trevor Schneider, U.S. Ambassador, Reyka Vodka. “One of the ways I personally enjoy it is in a martini, so I created the 5 to 1 martini with a dash of orange bitters and an orange peel.”
8752 West Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069, 424-239-1630, theeveleigh.com
The Classic Martini at Musso & Frank Grill
When it comes to a classic Hollywood martini, it doesn’t get much more authentic than the one served up at Musso & Frank. Opened in 1919, the legendary restaurant has seen its fair share of famous patrons from screen legends like Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, Orson Welles and Rudolph Valentino to modern stars such as Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Harrison Ford.
“We have the best martinis in town,” says bartender Manny Aguirre who has been behind the Mussso bar for over 25 years. “Three ounces, two-and-a-half ounces of gin or vodka. You get it in your glass with an olive, and we give you the rest on the side in a decanter. Everybody likes it.”
6667 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 P:323-467-7788, mussoandfrank.com
Appletini at BOA Steakhouse
If a sweet martini is more your style, you can’t go wrong with the the CÎROC Appletini from the sophisticated hotspot BOA Steakhouse. Made with simply with 1.5 oz. CÎROC Apple, 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice and 0.75 oz. Simple Syrup, others will be green with envy. Pair it with the Surf and Turf for an extra delectable experience.
9200 Sunset Blvd #650, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 310-278-2050
Cucumber Dilletante at St. Felix
With locations in both Hollywood and West Hollywood, St. Felix is a LA staple when it comes to mixology magic. Head into either location and order the Cucumber Dilletante which features muddled cucumbers and dill and Tito’s Vodka with Elderflower Liquor. This OG cocktail has been one of the signature martinis at St Felix for over eight years, appearing on the bar’s original cocktail list. “The cocktail is light and refreshing,” says John Arakaki, owner of St. Felix. “It’s inventive and creative but accessible to the palate, It was created with the thought that you may have three or four because they are so delicious when you thought you just had one or two over a conversation.”
1602 N Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 P: 323-469-5001 | 8945 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 P: 310-275-4428, saintfelix.net
Our Best Stories Delivered Daily
