Ah, the martini, that sophisticated tipple that, paradoxically, can be strong enough to fell a lumberjack. James Bond’s drink of choice – shaken, not stirred. It exudes gentlemanly nonchalance, the sharp V-shape of the glass accentuating the elegance of one’s gestures.
.jpg)
Where and how did the martini originate? There are many theories (and several books) on that subject. If you want to know more about why it became the popular beverage it is today, however, Jay Du, head bartender at the Churchill Bar in the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou can tell you. In fact, he’s a veritable expert on the American treasure, and it’s probably his passion that spawned the Churchill Bar’s all-you-can-drink martini nights, running every day until the end of September.
Eight options are available, varying from classic creations to lighter fruity numbers. Sit at one of the tables and your beverages will arrive in shiny shakers atop stylish silver trays. If you want to give off the devil-may-care machismo of 007, you should be throwing back Vespers. A drink introduced to the world by the Bond novel Casino Royale, the Churchill Bar’s version stays true to the original as described by author Ian Fleming: “Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel,” then serve in a “deep champagne goblet.” The only difference between the Churchill Bar’s rendition and the original is that instead of hard-to-find Kina Lillet, it’s made using Martini vermouth.
If you want a martini that’ll still put hair on your chest but isn’t quite as brutally alcoholic, try the mouthwatering dirty bacon martini. Made using vodka that has been infused with bacon for three days and mixed with the juice of crushed olives, it will have you craving a big British fry-up or a meaty snack.
For those who like their drinks a little sweeter, the lychee, kiwi, mango and apple are all deliciously fruity choices. There’s also a cucumber option for those who want a more vegetal taste. Some of the martinis are mixed with gin, others vodka, depending on what best suits the flavor of the martini. The Churchill Bar has even come up with a version to wake you up if you’re feeling a spot of fatigue: the espresso.
Martini night runs from 5pm to midnight every day in September. For RMB288 (plus the 15 percent service charge), you can imbibe as many martinis as you want – you might even try to ‘make the eight,’ sampling all the different options over the course of the evening. We advise you book a nearby hotel room in advance though!
What: All-you-can-drink martinis for RMB288
When: All September, 5pm-midnight
Where: Churchill Bar, 3/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou, Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城兴安路3号广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店3楼 (3813 6688)
0 User Comments