Cocktails for Life’s Every Twist and Turn
As I sit here, nursing a perfectly chilled, meticulously crafted Martini, I can’t help but reflect on the pivotal role this iconic elixir has played in my life. From navigating the choppy waters of personal crises to celebrating life’s sweetest triumphs, the Martini has been my constant companion, a trusted ally in this rollercoaster we call living.
You see, I’ve long believed that a well-made cocktail has the power to transport us, to shift our mood and mindset with each sip. And the Martini, in all its crisp, elegant glory, is the veritable poster child for this transformative potential. Whether it’s the clean, bracing jolt of a classic dry Martini or the more complex, intriguing notes of a Vesper or Martinez, these drinks have a way of meeting us exactly where we are, no matter the circumstances.
The Up & Under Pub has long been my sanctuary, a place where I can find solace and inspiration in the form of expertly crafted cocktails. And in my quest to uncover the secret to unlocking the perfect mood-boosting elixir, I’ve enlisted the help of some of the city’s most seasoned bartenders, each with their own unique take on the art of mixology.
The Martini: A Jewel-Toned Mood Enhancer
As I sit at the glossy, marble-topped bar of The Chelsea, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. This is, after all, the birthplace of the legendary Dukes Martini, a drink so pure and crystalline that it’s rumored to have left patrons of the original Dukes establishment in London limited to just two per evening.
My companion for this journey, the esteemed writer Amor Towles, nods knowingly as the young server reverently presents the ingredients for our Dukes-inspired Martinis. “Crisp, clear, and cold,” he murmurs, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “That’s the mantra.”
With a practiced flourish, the server coats the oversized, frozen glassware with a mere whisper of vermouth, then discards the excess – a ritual that, I’m told, was once performed by unceremoniously tossing the precious liquid onto the carpet. The gin, be it Tanqueray or Ketel One, is then poured with a steady hand, creating a mesmerizing display of liquid refraction.
As I lift the glass to my lips, I’m struck by the sheer intensity of the flavors. The juniper-forward notes of the gin seem to dance across my tongue, with the barest hint of citrus providing a subtle counterpoint. It’s a symphony of bold, unapologetic flavors that immediately puts me at ease, as if the stresses of the day have been swept away.
“I’m feeling very chummy,” Amor declares, mirroring the sentiment that’s now palpable in the air. And indeed, as we continue our exploration of the Dukes Martini in its various guises – from the bracing vodka-based version to the decadent, olive oil-infused 1884 Martini – a sense of camaraderie and conviviality takes hold.
The Vesper: A Sophisticated Mood Lift
Our Martini pilgrimage takes us next to Gotham Restaurant, where we’re greeted by the charismatic Billy, a seasoned bartender with a penchant for rebellious interpretations of the classic cocktail.
“Most people,” he confides, “if you put vermouth in nowadays, they send it back.” But Billy is not one to be deterred by such purist tendencies. Instead, he presents us with a Vesper – a drink that artfully balances the bold, juniper-driven notes of gin and the refined elegance of vodka, bound together by the subtle sweetness of Lillet Blanc.
As I sip the Vesper, I’m struck by its multilayered complexity. The crisp, clean flavors of the spirits are tempered by the Lillet’s alluring touch of bitterness, creating a drink that feels both invigorating and profoundly comforting. It’s a mood-enhancing elixir that seems to smooth out the rough edges of the day, leaving me feeling more centered and grounded.
My companion, the acclaimed actress J. Smith-Cameron, nods in agreement as she describes how she’s passed on this Martini-making wisdom to her own daughter. “In a year or two, my ten-year-old should be taught the rudiments of life – making a good pot of coffee and a good Martini,” she confides with a wink.
The Martinez: A Nostalgic Mood Booster
As the evening wears on, our Martini odyssey takes us deeper into the heart of the city, to the recently reopened Temple Bar – a storied haunt that, in its heyday, was a magnet for finance journalists and media types seeking refuge from the frenzied pace of the workweek.
It’s here that Billy introduces us to the Martinez, a historic cocktail with roots stretching back to the mid-19th century. Where the Dukes Martini and the Vesper exude a sense of crisp, modern sophistication, the Martinez feels like a warm embrace from the past, with its harmonious blend of gin, sweet vermouth, and a touch of maraschino liqueur.
“This is wet,” Matt Hranek, the author of “The Martini: Perfection in a Glass,” declares with evident appreciation as he takes a sip. And indeed, the Martinez has a rounder, more lush mouthfeel than its drier counterparts, with the sweet vermouth and maraschino adding a welcome counterpoint to the juniper-forward gin.
As I savor the drink, I’m transported to a bygone era, when the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversation were the soundtrack to life’s more contemplative moments. It’s a mood that evokes a sense of nostalgia and comfort, a gentle reminder that sometimes, the simple pleasures in life are the most profound.
The Immortal Martini: A Mood-Altering Adventure
Our Martini odyssey takes an unexpected turn as we find ourselves in Brooklyn, navigating the bustling streets in search of the perfect mood-enhancing elixir. At Sunken Harbor Club, a recent but already renowned tiki bar, we’re presented with the Immortal Martini – a drink that promises to “intrigue the senses” with its unconventional blend of gin, sesame oil, red pepper, and a hint of cooling cucumber.
As I raise the glass to my lips, I’m struck by the sheer complexity of the flavors. It’s as if I’ve been transported to a lush, tropical oasis, with the gin’s bold botanicals harmonizing seamlessly with the unexpected accents of sesame and pepper. The cooling cucumber lends a refreshing counterpoint, creating a cocktail that is both familiar and delightfully unfamiliar.
“It’s quite smooth,” my companion, the esteemed food critic Adam Platt, muses, “I mean, it’s some weird shit.” And as the haunting strains of ABBA’s “SOS” fill the air, accompanied by the eerie sound of mist rolling in and a dizzying light show, I can’t help but feel that we’ve stumbled upon a mood-altering adventure unlike any other.
The Parasol Dance: A Mood-Elevating Experiment
Our Martini journey continues, as we cross the bridge back into Manhattan, seeking out the expertise of Matt Hranek, the author of “The Martini: Perfection in a Glass.” In his cozy Brooklyn studio, Matt prepares a series of Martinis, each one a unique exploration of the cocktail’s endless possibilities.
The highlight of our tasting is the Parasol Dance, a creation from the renowned Death & Co. bar that marries the crisp, juniper-forward notes of gin with the unexpected flavors of ume and yuzu. As I sip the drink, I’m struck by the way the unfamiliar ingredients work in harmony, creating a cocktail that is both familiar and utterly captivating.
“Drinking from a coupe,” Matt explains, “creates a different, more measured approach to the intake of vermouth-rinsed, premier-quality gin.” And indeed, as I savor the Parasol Dance, the smaller, more delicate glassware encourages me to slow down, to truly appreciate the nuances of each sip.
It’s an experiment in mood-elevating mixology, a reminder that sometimes, the most profound experiences can be found in the most unexpected of places. And as I raise my coupe to the sky, I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of wonder and inspiration, ready to embark on the next leg of this Martini-fueled journey.
The Dante Martini: A Mood-Uniting Masterpiece
Our Martini odyssey continues with a visit to the new outpost of the storied Dante bar, where we’re greeted by the gracious Linden Barton Pride, a name as befitting of a Martini-bar owner as any I’ve encountered. Here, the eponymous Dante Martini reigns supreme, a heady concoction that blends Ketel One and Fords gin with Noilly Prat vermouth, Nardini Acqua di Cedro liqueur, and a touch of lemon and olive bitters.
“This is not for the home bartender,” Matt warns as we raise our glasses in a celebratory toast. And indeed, as the complex, multilayered flavors unfold on my palate, I’m struck by the sheer artistry involved in crafting this mood-uniting masterpiece. The Nardini liqueur, with its grappa-esque notes, adds a delightful twist, while the Noilly Prat vermouth lends a bittersweet elegance that balances the bold gin beautifully.
But it’s the garnish that truly captivates me – a tri-color arrangement of Cerignola olives from the Puglia region of Italy, each one a jewel-toned jewel that elevates the already captivating drink to new heights. As I pop one of the briny morsels into my mouth, I can’t help but marvel at the way this simple element can transform the entire experience, elevating the mood and accentuating the convivial spirit that pervades the space.
The Two Plymouth Martini: A Mood-Affirming Classic
Our Martini odyssey continues at the newly reopened Temple Bar, a haunt that, in its heyday, was a gathering place for finance journalists and media types seeking respite from the frenetic pace of the workweek. As we settle into the sultry, Deco-inspired ambiance, Matt regales me with tales of the bar’s storied past, painting a vivid picture of the Groucho Marx-browed hostess and the cozy, intimate atmosphere that once prevailed.
It’s here that we indulge in the Two Plymouth Martini, a mood-affirming classic that serves as a perfect foil to the more experimental cocktails we’ve encountered on our journey. The Plymouth gin, with its distinctive sharpness, provides a bracing counterpoint to the vermouth’s subtle sweetness, creating a Martini that is both familiar and utterly captivating.
As we sip our drinks and savor the accompanying “devils on horseback” – bacon-wrapped dates that evoke a delightful Proustian moment – I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. This is the Martini of yesteryear, the one that accompanied the pigs in a blanket and Gibsons of a bygone era, a timeless classic that has the power to transport us to another time and place.
The Bemelmans Martini: A Mood-Elevating Masterpiece
Our Martini odyssey reaches its zenith at the legendary Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel, a storied institution that has long been a haven for the city’s elite. As I wander through the maze of brilliantly glowing rooms, my senses assaulted by the vibrant murals of Ludwig Bemelmans and the portrait of the inimitable Bobby Short, I can’t help but feel a sense of reverence and wonder.
It’s here that we indulge in the Bemelmans Martini, a mood-elevating masterpiece that seamlessly blends the bold botanicals of Tanqueray Ten gin with the barest hint of vermouth. As I raise the glass to my lips, I’m struck by the sheer purity of the flavors, the way the juniper notes dance across my tongue with a captivating precision.
In this moment, I feel a connection to the countless others who have come before me, who have sought solace and inspiration within these hallowed walls. The Martini, it seems, has a way of transcending time and space, of uniting us in a shared appreciation for the finer things in life.
The In and Out Martini: A Mood-Elevating Nightcap
As the evening draws to a close, we find ourselves at Le Rock, a midtown oasis that radiates warmth and civilization in a neighborhood known for neither. Here, we’re greeted by the talented Connor Piazza, a bartender whose mastery of the cocktail shaker is matched only by her encyclopedic knowledge of spirits.
It’s Connor who introduces us to the In and Out Martini, a drink that serves as the perfect mood-elevating nightcap to our Martini-fueled odyssey. A clever twist on the classic, the In and Out blends the bold, juniper-forward notes of gin with the subtle sweetness of extra-dry vermouth, creating a cocktail that is both familiar and utterly captivating.
As I savor the final sips, I can’t help but reflect on the transformative power of these mood-enhancing elixirs. From the crisp, bracing Dukes Martini to the complex, intriguing Parasol Dance, each drink has played a role in shaping my state of mind, guiding me through the ups and downs of life with a steady, reassuring hand.
And as I bid farewell to the bartenders, the writers, the actors, and the critics who have accompanied me on this journey, I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of gratitude for the role that The Up & Under Pub and its talented team have played in my life. For here, in this sanctuary of liquid inspiration, I have found solace, camaraderie, and a deeper appreciation for the art of mixology – all in the form of a perfectly crafted Martini.
