Martini Marathon

On the first Friday of every month, Bar 35, something of a bar goer’s Mecca in Chinatown, is crowded with people from all over the island. Its First Friday event showcases local art, features a decent DJ, plays a movie on its huge projector — and, my personal favorite, includes drink specials. Plus, there always is a comfortable lounging area and a bustling dance floor.

With all of this going on, you can never go wrong at Bar 35. And you can never go wrong with a martini — and Bar 35 offers a few takes on the cocktail. I’ve ranked my top picks below — with the tastiest appearing first.

1. Berry Asian

This drink (pictured above) is the perfect mix of sweet and strong, with lychee juice, sweet and sour, strawberry puree and SKYY raspberry vodka. Drinking this, you continuously will wonder how Bar 35 managed to make SKYY vodka taste this good.

2. Lychee Martini

This is similar to the Berry Asian, sans berries. It’s also much stronger, containing lychee juice and vodka. Maybe it’s that strength that gives the Lychee Martini mass appeal — whether or not you like the taste of lychee.

3. Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This drink comes out looking like a pineapple upside down cake in a martini glass, with red and yellow coloring to it. The taste is sweeter than most martinis at Bar 35, which is why it’s ranked third rather than first; the sweetness can, at times, be a little much. Perhaps it’s the Amaretto or the grenadine that makes this concoction sinfully sweet. If you prefer your drinks stronger, ask the bartender to play up the other ingredients, which include SKYY pineapple vodka and Tuaca.

4. Mama San’s Wish

If you enjoy wine, this martini contains a lot of pinot grigio, giving the cocktail a tart, full-bodied flavor. Other ingredients include SKYY pineapple and passion, and fruit juice; it is similar to sangria, but has a kick from the vodka.

5. Orient Express

I picked this cocktail because it contains ginger syrup and SKYY ginger —and I am a fan of ginger-flavored everything. This tangy martini also features lychee.

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