The summer solstice is barely in the rear-view mirror, but the heat is already on. When the temperature soars, nothing beats the heat better than a crisp, cool martini. Sure, the classic cocktail can be enjoyed throughout the year, but what about a martini tailor-made for the season?
Enter Ariel Arce, the New York entrepreneur and the brains behind some wildly successful destinations - Niche Niche, Heroes, and Tokyo Record Bar, to name a few. As Hilton’s partner in its newest StiR Creative Collective project, Leonessa at Conrad New York Downtown, Ariel has shaped a sophisticated cocktail program that pays homage to Italian drinking culture with a flair all her own.
Inspired by aperitivo hour and the lush citrus trees that adorn the space, Ariel developed a recipe for the perfect summer martini. If a trip to the Big Apple isn’t on the bucket list this summer, she is sharing the recipe for Leonessa’s eponymous martini, a blend of beautiful citrus flavors and Italian spirits that will have you pining for your next trip to Positano.
Leonessa Martini from Conrad New York Downtown
Makes 1 Drink
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Portofino dry gin
- 1 oz. Mancino Secco
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 dash lemon bitters
- Lemon twist and olive garnish
Directions
- Before you build your martini, put your martini glass in the freezer to chill, or fill the glass with ice and water while you make your martini.
- Place all ingredients in a mixing glass.
- Add cubed ice and stir for 30 seconds until the martini is chilled.
- Strain the drink into the chilled martini glass and garnish with lemon twist.
Photo Credit: Michael Persico Courtesy of Conrad New York Downtown