Martinis Are Making a Comeback at Cleveland's Cocktail Bars

In the days of colorful Instagrammable cocktail menus, you might not have predicted the return of one of the most iconic cocktails: the martini.

While a classic martini is made with gin and vermouth, bartenders have birthed a creative renaissance of the iconic drink over the past five years. New age martinis explore uncommon flavor palates by adding savory ingredients or liquors steeped in fruity and herbacious infusions. There are so many new takes that martini flights are becoming commonplace.

The Fairmount Cocktail Bar in Cleveland Heights, known for its lush patio oasis, is one that’s keyed in on the renewed trend. The bar’s cucumber martini ($10), for instance, mixes citrus vodka, fresh cucumber juice, Cointreau and a little lemon juice into a crowd favorite.

“That was always big with the after-work crowd,” says owner Jake Orosz. 

He notes that the drinks that were around 15 years ago when he started at the bar have resurged in popularity in recent years.

“People are just kind of going back to drinking what they truly enjoy, with maybe a little less of the judgment,” he says. “[Customers] have been requesting some of those drinks back, so I think we’re kind of going full circle here a little bit.”

Newer spots are adding to the diversity of options. In Little Italy, Cent’ Anni Italian Cocktail Bar’s most popular and polarizing drink is the salata (or salty) espresso martini ($16), crafted with vodka, Averna, coffee liqueur and espresso. Inspired by espresso martinis on the West Coast, it is finished with ground, seven-year-aged Parmesan Reggiano.

Some spots never let the iconic beverage fade away. Since 2010, Village Martini & Wine Bar has made its name by providing a vast variety of the sacred libation. The Chagrin Falls bar offers 10 martinis, including ones that incorporate pomegranate, champagne, whiskey and even Greek flavors, such as clamato juice and pepperoncini brine.

So why the comeback? Many bartenders believe younger drinkers are consuming less but expecting more depth and intrigue — a perfect environment for this slow-sipping legacy cocktail to thrive. 

“If you go back 10 years or so, drinking culture was different,” says Tanner Kendall, general manager of Cent’ Anni. “It was more about the party. Now, people are more inclined to want to try something new to experience recipes and flavors as they do, like in a nice restaurant.”

Five to Try

(Courtesy Billy's A Cappelli Martini Bar)

Billy’s A Cappelli Martini Bar
A menu devoted to more than 40 martinis in unexpected flavors ranges from creamy, chocolatey, sour and botanical, including a popular cookies and cream martini ($12) and a light lavender martini ($13). 7338 Industrial Park Blvd., Mentor, billysacappellimartinibar.com

Oak & Olive
At an unsuspecting pizza and pasta shop, find a bold espresso martini flight ($35), featuring your pick from sweet sips like salted caramel espresso, chocolate espresso, tiramisu espresso and Cafe Tequila espresso. 1846 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, oakandolive.xyz 

(Courtesy Vault)

Vault
The cocktail lounge inside the Metropolitan at the 9 hotel offers a P*rn Star Martini ($24) for special occasions, featuring Patron Reposado Barrel Select Tequila, passion fruit puree, lime and a rich vanilla syrup coupled with both passion fruit boba and a champagne sidecar. 2017 E. Ninth St., Cleveland, vault9cle.com

(Courtesy Rood)

Rood
Couple a slice of designer pie (think maple miso or chocolate tahini, $7) with an Oi Boy ($14), a dirty martini made with a signature Korean-inspired cucumber brine, a choice or gin or vodka, sake vermouth and an optional gochugaru tincture. 17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood, eatatrood.com

(Courtesy Verbena Free Spirited)

Verbena Free Spirited
Enjoy the sensation of a cocktail without the booze. This intimate Hingetown locale sells zero-proof dupes to take home in both individual and retail bottle sizes. Sip on the Dirty Bianco Martini ($11), made with Roots Divino Bianco and pickle brine.1434 W. 29th St., Cleveland, verbenafreespirited.com

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