By Olivia Cuccaro
Mandarin Oriental #177 Martini
- 3 oz Nolet’s Reserve Gin
- ¼ oz Lillet
- ½ oz Ketel One Vodka
- Lemon zest
To create our cocktail of the week, pour Nolet’s Reserve Gin into a mixing glass and add ice. Blend Lillet and Ketel One vodka in an atomizer and spray the inside of an Aphrodite coupe. Stir gin 10 times and strain into coupe. Garnish with lemon zest and serve.
This month, Massachusetts’ historic capital is paying homage to the great American cocktail – the martini. Through April 29, Mandarin Oriental, Boston is hosting its MOtini Pop-Up Lounge in the hotel’s lobby, featuring handcrafted martinis to enjoy before dinner or as a New England nightcap. Created with Nolet’s Reserve Gin, the #177 Martini has notes of spicy saffron, rose petals and herbaceous verbena botanicals. Founded in 1691, Royal Nolet Distillery is the oldest distillery in Holland, releasing only 500 bottles of the Reserve Gin worldwide each year. The extravagant cocktail is served in an Aphrodite coupe, hand-painted with 24K hammered gold and accompanied by tableside cocktail service, priced at $135.
“It’s more than a cocktail,” said Kaitlin McKenna, mixologist at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, in speaking to Elite Traveler. “Being able to connect and interact tableside, while engaging the senses, provides guests with a luxurious and elevated experience.”
The MOtini Pop-Up Lounge is also offering a selection of seasonal small plates to complement the exclusive martinis. Dishes include kombu cured tuna crudo with a wakame seaweed salad and bonito ponzu, crispy pork belly glazed with Korean peppers and cucumber kimchi, shucked New England oysters with red wine mignonette, shrimp cocktail and fried olives served with a creamy blue cheese dressing, and an assortment of petit fours from Pastry Chef Robert Differ.
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In addition to the #177 Martini, the pop-up is serving signature martinis like the Sandalwood Fire with Knob Creek rye whiskey, Azure Nights with Smith & Cross Jamaican rum and Vetiver Poivre with Żubrówka vodka.
Seating only 25, the intimate lounge is decorated with works by award-winning local artist, Mark Cooper. Enclosed by blonde wood-paneled walls, the upscale setting features a fireplace for a cozy drink with a date, or can accommodate larger groups for your own MOtini party.
Mandarin Oriental, Boston is located at 776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199. For more information, please visit mandarinoriental.com.
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