Martini Day: Mumbai bartenders share quirky versions of the classic cocktail

LitchitiniInstead of the three classic olives in your martini expect three fresh litchis as garnish Legend has it that the three olives are a cue to finish the drink in three sips This martini is spiked with gin litchi lemongrass ginger basil leaves along with a sour mixCOST Rs 595AT Bombay Cartel Kamala Mills Compound 1st Floor Bombay Hub Z Wing Lower Parel 2nd Floor Tiara Building Plot42 Juhu Galli near Critical CritiCare Hospital Gulmohar Road Juhu CALL 8779989215 Lower Parel930368002 JuhuMango martiniChef Gresham Fernandes prepares the right mango martini PicAishwarya DeodharIt is the last of the season so grab this one Chef Gresham Fernandes believes that the list of experimental martinis is endless ldquoTodayrsquos popular flavours and concoctions include classic martinis vodka martinis dirty martinis espresso martinis appletinis French martinis lemon drop martinis fruity martinis spicy margarita martinis Our mango martini is simple sweet tangy and deliciousrdquo he remarksCOST Rs 700AT Salt Water Cafeacute Annexe 87 Rose Minar Chapel Road Bandra WestCALL 8657531985Run of the dillSahil Gangurde makes a Run of the dill cocktail File PicSenior bartender at Plural Sahil Gangurdersquos take on the classic martini is made using gin dillinfused vermouth homemade lemongrass and a celery brineCOST Rs 725AT Plural Jai Hind Building Nanik Motwani Marg Kala GhodaCALL 9892382740Marzipan cinnamon martiniChristmas arrives early with this sweet and festive combination According to head mixologist Avril Gonsalves the moving flavours include butterfly blue pea flower hibiscus syrup fresh passion fruit pulp agave nectar and fresh carbonated water ldquoYour drink must look as pretty as it tastesrdquo he addsCOST Rs 420AT Butterfly High One Lodha Place Ground Floor Tulsi Pipe Road Lower ParelCALL 8655973838SamtiniYellow samtini at MaikadaA stirred cocktail with tequila passionfruit pineapple and star anise it is named after the ownerrsquos daughter Today bartenders are exploring the botanical world with herbinfused marvels like lavender or rosemary For a spicy kick explore jalapentildeo or chiliinfused martinis Floral flavours of elderflower or hibiscus are evergreenCOST Rs 700AT Maikada The Shalimar Hotel Kemps Corner CALL 9820256769Breakfast martiniMade with gin triple sec orange marmalade lime juice and sugar syrup the drink takes its name from a story An Italian couple would get into a fight every time the husband would fix himself a martini in the morning instead of having breakfast One day the wife spiked the drink with marmalade and a new martini was bornCOST Rs 700AT The Burrow R3 Adani Inspire Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra EastCALL 35113057Badmaash martiniA shahi drink this vodka concoction contains homemade pineapple saccharum and saffroncardamom syrup It is a desi twist on the classic ldquoMartini concepts with fresher ingredients are currently trending in India There is an increased use of specialty herbs sourced from different regions These include jackfruit there is even a pumpkin seedinfused martini So the world is moving beyond the classic martini todayrdquo explains Bensan Varghese head mixologistCOST Rs 595AT Badmaash B 12 Ghanshyam Chamber Veera Industrial Estate Andheri Link Road Lokhandwala Complex Andheri WestCALL 7400491473Queso martiniBartender Sachin Yadav makes a Queso martini PicShadab KhanThis one gets its savoury kick from the Tomme cheese washedgin and addition of truffle oil with dry vermouth Bartender Sachin Yadav loves to curate his drinks with a unique flavour twist ldquoA classic martini is great but people are looking for a twist to the classic cocktail This martini is umami with a punch of trufflerdquo he addsCOST Rs 900AT Mezcalita 82 Nagin Mahal Veer Nariman Road ChurchgateCALL 9930495555Cool fact How to test your Martini quotient What is the difference between a dry extradry and a wet martiniA dry martini has just a drizzle of dry vermouth as compared to the gin or vodka The extradry will have just a few drops of vermouth The wet martini on the other hand has more vermouth compared to the gin or vodka in it