Martini Crawl

The Review went to every (well, almost every) bar in Hanover one evening in search of the best signature martini.

Everyone from James Bond to your grandmother enjoys a good ol’ martini. Among the traditions of martinis, there is great variety to be found. There are martini purists, there are those who like ‘em dirty, and there are those (philistines) who consider a Cosmopolitan to be their favorite martini. We reviewed the bars of Hanover with a personal preference for a dirty martini, though we did our utmost to keep an open mind. 

Sawtooth Kitchen, Bar, and Stage: the Apricot Zing

Rating: 8/10

We and Sawtooth have been through a lot together. We stuck with them through their early days as a restaurant and now enjoy the flourishing atmosphere they’ve created throughout their brief time as an establishment. The bartenders huddled together to form what they consider their signature martini. We were presented with a beautifully orange martini in a coupe glass. The bartender called it “The Apricot Zing”—a creation of her own inspiration. Sweet from the apricot cordial and balanced out by the Lemon Absolut, the Apricot Zing was pleasant and went down smoothly as a first drink of the evening. For their strong efforts in mixology, collaboration, and overall positive atmosphere, we give Sawtooth Kitchen, Bar, and Stage an 8/10. 

Dunk’s Sports Grill: the Espresso Martini

Rating: 6.75/10

Dunk’s is not known for its fineries, but it is certainly known for its staples. When we inquired about the best martini they could make, we were soon met with a full Martini glass of vodka, Kahlua, and cold brew. Dunk’s espresso martini is fittingly simple for the sports bar. The martini was well shaken, as evidenced by the foam on top, and the espresso bean garnish could have tricked us into thinking in a more sophisticated establishment in White River Junction. The drink tasted a bit like something we could make for ourselves, but the lively culture of Dunk’s is always worth the bar tab. As a reliable spot to get an espresso martini, we bestow upon Dunk’s Sports Grill a 6.75. 

Han Fusion: the Lychee Martini

Rating: 8.5/10

When we saw the bartender at Han Fusion open a fresh can of lychee, we knew we were in luck. Once the bottle of Grey Goose was uncapped, we knew we were in heaven. Full to the brim with just the right (not too little, not too much) amount of lychee and priced at an economical ten dollars, Han Fusion’s Lychee Martini is sure to have you coming back for more. We happily took note of the ice flecks adorning one glass—a surefire sign of a martini made with care. Sitting at the bar of Han Fusion is a bit of a surreal experience. Everyone you know enters the restaurant, yet you socialize with absolutely no one. Couple this insular atmosphere with the lack of cell service in Han Fusion, and we were suddenly an island adrift in a sea of lychee martini. However, we’re not complaining. The martini was delicious, and we consumed it with haste. However, the service was slow … that’s what we get for trying to compete with a never-ending series of squawking sorority girls ordering scorpion bowls. For its hidden gem of a martini, Han Fusion receives an 8.5 out of 10 rating. 

Murphy’s on the Green: the Vesper Martini

Rating: 9.5/10 

The Friday night atmosphere of Murphy’s always fills us with the sense of camaraderie and healthy competition that only herds of Tuck students can engender. When we asked Murphy’s for their best martini, we received the ideal combination of simplicity and spin. The Vesper Martini—vodka, gin, and Lillet (a white aperitif wine) with a lemon twist—was the highlight of the night, and conversation with the friendly bartender sealed the deal. While continuing to chat with the bartender, we broached the conversation of Mezcal, and before we knew it we were trying one of the bartender’s favorites: mezcal, chartreuse, and aperol with a hint of lime juice. We also received water, a necessary addition to our night considering we were now on drink five after an hour of bar hopping. Murphy’s, the only restaurant that enticed us to order an extra drink and provide pleasant conversation, earned not only our respect but our admiration. We award Murphy’s a 9.5. 

Pine: the Classic 

Rating: 5/10

For New York City natives who find themselves homesick in Hanover, Pine is an excellent place to cure the blues. All you need to do is order an $18 drink, and you’ll feel right at home. To be fair, Pine does boast the best cocktail menu in Hanover, so the prices aren’t entirely unjustified. Unfortunately, the most expensive martini in town was not the best. In fact, it was rather disappointing. Other restaurants enthusiastically responded to our request with creativity and passion, but the staff at Pine, unsurprisingly, asserted that their best martini was a classic Tito’s martini. The drink itself was fine, albeit something that can easily be made at home. It could have been colder, and no ice flecks were present in our glasses. Pine servers are always accommodating and polite, a quality that certainly does not go unnoticed, but that will never remedy an utterly mid-tier drink. While we recognize that the restaurant was busy, due to Pine’s lack of creativity, temperature of the beverage, and our own high expectations, we have to give Pine a 5/10. We’re not mad, just disappointed.