Our Best Martinis
From Classic Vermouth to Cachaça, we have a martini for you
Martinis are a classic that are here to stay for a reason. While the origin of the martini may be unclear, we know for sure that Lettuce’s creative cocktail masterminds love shaking things up when it comes to making them. Here are some of our favorites to add to your must-try list.
Planning a group outing and looking for more than martinis? Check out our group drinks guide!
Looking for Happy Hour specials near you? View our Happy Hour guide.
Ancient Lore Espresso Martini at Aba – Austin
Beatrix Coffee Roasters Voyager Espresso, Demerara, St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Kastra Elion Vodka, Desert Kaktus Vodka, Espresso Beans, Cocoa Powder
Featuring fresh espresso from Beatrix Coffee Roasters, this cocktail is a caffeinated indulgence you’ll want to savor—the perfect blend of premium sipping vodka distilled from Greek olives picked by hand, melded with sweet demerara, chicory-forward coffee liquor and free-grown prickly pear cactus vodka.
Make a reservation at the Aba location nearest you
Dirty Feta Martini at Aba – Chicago
Kástra Elión, Aba olive brine, Noilly prat, feta
Our take on a classic dirty martini is infused with feta-washed Kastra Elion, an artisanal vodka distilled from hand-selected Greek olives, paired with house-made brine and garnished with Castelvetrano olives artfully stuffed with feta.
Make a reservation Aba – Chicago
Beatrix Espresso Martini at Beatrix
Basic Vodka, Beatrix Coffee Roasters Voyager Espresso, Coffee Liqueur, Licor 43, Demerara
The Espresso Martini at Beatrix features pulls of Voyager Espresso Roast by Beatrix Coffee Roasters, Beatrix’s own in-house coffee line, with tasting notes of rich dark chocolate and almond. Mixed with Licor 43, enjoy notes of vanilla and orange zest, which provide a beautiful, creamy sensation without the addition of dairy.
Make a reservation at the Beatrix location nearest you
Night Owl Martini at Ema Restaurants
Belvedere Single Estate “Lake Bartezek,” St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Demerara
Make a reservation at the Ema location nearest you
Breakfast Martini at Gus’ Sip & Dip
London Dry Gin, Orange Liqueur, Earl Grey Tea, Marmalade, Honey Butter Toast
This fresh take on an old school British-style sip at Lettuce’s newest cocktail hotspot features locally sourced Rare Tea Cellars Earl Grey tea-infused gin, orange liqueur and housemade orange marmalade syrup, and comes garnished with a honey-buttered gluten-free toast point! (Pro-tip: It can also be made spirit-free.)
Learn more about Gus’ Sip & Dip
“La Gilda” Martini at Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Rives Dry Gin, White Vermouth, Orange Bitters, La Gilda Garnish
This one’s for classic martini lovers who enjoy a good garnish. Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba! adds a pintxo (bar snack) to this drink in the form of La Gilda, a famous pintxo from San Sebastian, Spain. Consisting of a gordal olive, piparra pepper and Cantabrian anchovy this pintxo is salty and pickled, the perfect savory bite.
Make a reservation at Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Jasmine Vesper at Miru
Nikka Vodka, Ford’s Gin, Jasmine, Cocchi Americano
Miru’s Jasmine Vesper is a refined twist on a classic, blending Nikka Vodka, Ford’s Gin, Jasmine, and Cocchi Americano for elegant, floral depth.
Black Velvet Martini at Mon Ami Gabi – Lincoln Park
Vodka or Mezcal, Espresso, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Demerara, Crème de Cacao
Mon Ami Gabi uses fresh espresso to keep its Black Velvet Martini from tasting bitter. The Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur is made with cold brew coffee which gives a powerful punch to the clean smoky flavor that comes from the demerara. Choose to mix it up with either vodka or mezcal, for a smokier variation.
Make a reservation at Mon Ami Gabi – Lincoln Park
Vesper Crudité Martini at Mon Ami Gabi – Bethesda
Hendrick’s Gin, Crudité infused Ketel One, Lillet Blanc
A part of Mon Ami Gabi – Bethesda’s new chilled martini program, the Vesper Crudité is served with crisp crudité vegetables like radishes and peppers to complement the crisp sips of the herbaceous and floral martini.
Make a reservation at Mon Ami Gabi – Bethesda
Olive Oil Martini at RPM Seafood and RPM Italian
Infused Ketel One, Thyme, Rosemary, Marinated Olives
This martini is made with premium Ketel One Vodka infused with the 2022 Primolio Giachi first press olive oil imported from Florence. It is then infused with rosemary and thyme and served with a side of marinated Italian olives. Pro tip: Visit RPM Seafood for Happy Hour and sip on $10 classic martinis. View RPM Seafood’s Happy Hour menu here.
Make a reservation at RPM Seafood or RPM Italian
Tini for Two at RPM Steak
Dirty, Espresso or Lemon Drop
During happy hour (Monday – Friday, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM), snag a seat at RPM Steak’s show-stopping bar and order the Tini for Two for $18, available in Dirty, Espresso or Lemon Drop fashion. Pile on even more fun by ordering the Petite Ember-Roasted Seafood Tower complete with wild blue prawns, manilla clams, oysters and Maryland Blue Crab for $35, plus select other bar snacks starting at $10. Available at the bar only. View RPM Steak’s Proper Bar Happy Hour menu
Make a reservation at RPM Steak
Classic Martini at Shaw’s Crab House
Grey Goose Vodka or Beefeater Gin, Carpano Bianco Vermouth, Olives or Lemon Peel
This classic cocktail allows you to personalize your martini to suit your tastes.
Make a reservation at Shaw’s Crab House – Chicago
Make a reservation at Shaw’s Crab House – Schaumburg
Try it at home! Our bartenders share Shaw’s martini recipes for you to try. Give the Shaw’s Classic Martini or Shaw’s Espresso Martini a shake at home.
Tropical Dreams Martini at Summer House
Sunny Vodka, Pamplemousse Liqueur, Habanero Honey
This martini is an irresistible journey to paradise. The blend of bittersweet pamplemousse liqueur, coupled with a fiery habanero kick, promises to transport your taste buds on a distinctive and flavorful adventure.
Make a reservation at the Summer House location nearest you
Don’t miss Martini Hour at Summer House, Mondays – Fridays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM (at the bar only)!
Kyushu Cosmo at Sushi-san – River North & Lincoln Park
Akae Shochu, Vodka, Cointreau Noir, lime, cranberry
This cocktail shakes up tradition by swapping vodka for shochu, infusing the classic cosmo with Japanese ingredients.
Saketini at Sushi-san – River North & Lincoln Park
Junmai Ginjo, vodka, cucumber, Bermutto, bergamot
Featuring Junmai Ginjo sake and Japanese sake vermouth, this refreshing and modern spin on the martini is a must-order at Sushi-san.
Make a reservation at the Sushi-san location nearest you
Nama Stay Right Here at Ramen-san (All locations)
Iwai Mars Whisky, Mr. Black, Cold Brew, and Vanilla
Sip on an espresso martini, Ramen-san style. Made with Iwai Mars Whisky, Mr. Black, Cold Brew, and Vanilla, this martini will give you life!
Make a reservation at the Ramen-san location nearest you
Olive Oil Martini at The Oakville Grill & Cellar
Infused Ketel One, Meyer Lemon, Rosemary, Thyme, Marinated Olives
Ketel One Vodka is infused with olive oil, rosemary and thyme and served with a side of marinated olives.
Make a reservation at The Oakville Grill & Cellar
Tre Martini at Bar Tre Dita and Tre Dita
Piucinque Italian gin, Contratto bianco, Lorenzo inga gavi di gavi grappa, lemon
Tre Dita, Italian for “three fingers”—a nod to the precise thickness of an authentic Bistecca All Fiorentina steak—is a love letter to Italy. Bar Tre Dita’s signature Tre, is an Italian spin on a martini that features, fittingly, three parts: Italian gin, bianca vermouth and grappa, a palate-pleasing brandy.
Make a reservation at Bar Tre Dita
Enjoy this Tuscan tipple at home with the recipe for the Tre Martini.
Wild Raspberry Cosmo at Wildfire – Oak Brook, Lincolnshire, Schaumburg, Glenview, Eden Prairie, MN and Tysons, VA
New Amsterdam Red Berry Vodka, Dekuyper Triple Sec, Cranberry, Raspberry Syrup
Along with its Espresso Tini, Wildfire offers two fruit-forward twists on the classic Cosmo with its Wild Raspberry Cosmo and the Mango Tini, made with Pinnacle vodka, mango liqueur and purée, and cranberry and pineapple juices.
Make a reservation at the Wildfire location nearest you.
Bellinitini at Di Pescara
Peach Liqueur, Peach Purée, Moscato
The Bellinitini was made for peach lovers. Each sip is packed with the aroma and sweet juiciness of peaches.
Make a reservation at Di Pescara
Crisp vodka meets floral lavender, bright Bergamotto Rosolio and fresh lemon in this light, aromatic cocktail—like a summer breeze through Tuscany.
Cafe Espresso at Antico Posto
Basic Vodka, Galliano Espresso Liqueur, Demerara, Cocoa
It’s always time for a martini at Antico Posto, especially when you can choose between the Fields of Tuscany with lavender cordial, Bergamotto Rosolio and lemon or Cafe Espresso with Galliano espresso liqueur and cocoa (or try one of each)! Sip alongside a brick oven pizza or house-made pasta on the terrace all summer long.
