We may not wear a tux and save the world, and we may not look like Sean Connery when we walk into a bar, but we do love a good martini just as much as Bond himself.
So of course we’ve always got our eye on Brisbane’s best bars and their most extravagant martini offerings. Whilst the classic gin and vermouth, garnished with an olive, is always a favourite, we’re never opposed to trying new twists, like the Pavlova Martini, or even the Breakfast Martini!
Here's where to find the best martinis in Brisbane.
John Mills Himself
On the top of the cocktail list, right where it belongs, John Mills Himself makes a classic extra dry martini with West Winds Sabre gin, Castagna dry vermouth, and a single green olive. Shaken or stirred.
Riverbar and Kitchen
Putting an Australian twist on the classic, Riverbar has their signature Pavlova Martini with West Winds gin, strawberry, vanilla, lemon, egg whites and passionfruit.
Gerard's Bar
Doing the classic justice, Gerard’s Bar offers the “Your Friend, Martini” using Beefeater 24 Gin, elderflower, and vermouth. We'll take 007.
Loft
Taking pride in their cocktail list of classics with a twist, Loft features the Lillypilly martini, with Mt Tambourine lillypilly gin, Lillet Blanc and cucumber.
Eleven
The only thing better than a martini is a martini with a view! Enjoy Eleven’s classic martini with Chilled Bombay Sapphire and Noilly Prat dry vermouth while admiring Brisbane from eleven floors up.
Manhattan Line
America is all about going big or going home, so it’s not surprising that Manhattan Line is putting a big twist on the classic with their Breakfast Martini. It tastes just like breakfast, except boozy, with Tanqueray, Cointreau Marmalade and lemon.
Maker
Maker takes on the classic drink with a twist. Think a nitrogen-chilled martini with house-infused vermouth!
Blackbird Bar and Grill
If you’re after a fruitier version of the classic, Blackbird's Molls Martini is a shaken mix of Belvedere, Joseph Cartron Elderflower Liqueur, passionfruit, apple juice, sugar, served up with a vanilla sugar rim and a side of sparkling wine. If you’re looking for a martini that’s a little more out of the box, their Mandarin Cheesecake Martini has Belvedere, Mandarin Napoleon, mascarpone cheese, vanilla sugar and mandarin juice, served with fresh mandarin. We say take a risk.
Love getting amongst it at Brisbane's best bars as much as we do? Check out our article Brisbane's Best New Secret Bars!
Image credit: GQ