There really isn’t a bad time for cocktails, is there? During the holidays, though, an ordinary libation feels all the more festive.
This season, diners at Chicago restaurant Adalina can enjoy a truly festive cocktail, thanks to a collaboration between Adalina and jewelry brand Marrow Fine.
Imagine sitting down to a beautiful dinner, and the person across from you orders the Marrow Martini, created—with mezcal and smoked flavors of heirloom tomato and lemon basil—by Adalina’s Colin Hofer, winner of Michelin Guide’s Sommelier of the Year in 2022. We love a creative spin on a classic drink, especially at the hands of a true professional.
The martini arrives, looking positively exquisite, with a surprise twist—not from a fruit peel, but from a glittering 9 ct. diamond tennis necklace crafted by Marrow Fine (now the Marrow Martini moniker makes sense). “The inspiration for this cocktail was to capture Marrow’s bespoke and heirloom energy, creating something truly one-of-a-kind,” Hofer said in a statement.
This drink will set you back $13,000—you get to keep the diamond necklace—but it can’t be beat for those seeking a special dining experience.
“So far one customer has ordered the Marrow Martini,” Jillian Sassone, founder of Marrow Fine, tells JCK. “He said he wanted to make his wife’s birthday extra memorable and surprised her by ordering it on their date night.”
Describing how the martini is crafted, Hofer said: “I started with a rare gem, Clase Azul mezcal from San Luis Potosi, known for its incredible smoky and herbal notes. I wanted to enhance these flavors by incorporating garden elements that would resonate with mezcal’s unique profile. That’s why I chose clarified heirloom tomato water and lemon basil olive oil.
“To make the experience even more special, I decided to smoke the entire cocktail in a cloche. This step not only emphasizes the uniqueness of the drink but also amplifies the mezcal’s natural smokiness, turning it into something truly unforgettable.”
Equally unforgettable (and much longer-lasting) is the cocktail’s other ingredient: Marrow’s necklace, which is concocted from 14k yellow gold and 150 delicious diamonds.
For those who won’t be getting to Chicago this holiday season but want to give a loved one an unforgettable experience, Sassone offers this advice (and plenty of other jewels): “It’s important to give yourself enough time, especially if you’re looking to make a gift extra meaningful this year. A great way to do this is with personalization.
“Whether you’re choosing to create a piece completely from scratch, engrave a heartfelt message, or select from our collection of personalized-ready designs, each choice really allows you to infuse the gift with sentiment and thoughtfulness that you won’t find on a shelf anywhere else.”
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