The “Marrow Martini” includes a 14-karat yellow gold tennis necklace with 150 diamonds totaling 9 carats, served with a smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini. (Photo credit: Jamie Campanelli)
San Diego—Fine jewelry brand Marrow Fine has collaborated with famed Chicago restaurant Adalina on the most expensive martini in the United States, according to the companies.
On Adalina’s menu is the $13,000 “Marrow Martini,” a smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini served with a diamond tennis necklace.
The tennis necklace by Marrow Fine features 150 diamonds totaling 9 carats set in 14-karat yellow gold, designed to be worn while sipping on a martini at Adalina ($13,000). (Photo credit: Jamie Campanelli)
For the “Marrow Fine x Adalina” collaboration, each company contributed an item from their industry.
Jillian Sassone, the founder and creative director of Marrow Fine, designed the necklace—a 14-karat yellow gold tennis necklace with 150 diamonds totaling 9 carats.
She said she chose a tennis necklace for the collaboration because “martinis are just like the tennis necklace, a classic!”
For the martini, the restaurant tapped its general manager, sommelier and wine director, Colin Hofer, to create a cocktail.
Hofer, who was named “Sommelier of the Year” by Michelin Guide in 2022, crafted a smoked heirloom tomato mezcal martini made with Clase Azul mezcal from San Luis Potosí, clarified heirloom tomato water, and lemon basil olive oil that is then smoked in a cloche.
“The inspiration for this cocktail was to capture Marrow Fine’s bespoke and heirloom energy, creating something truly one-of-a-kind,” said Hofer.
The $13,000 cocktail is made with Clase Azul mezcal, clarified heirloom tomato water, and lemon basil olive oil, and smoked in a cloche. (Photo credit: Jamie Campanelli)
While this one-of-a-kind martini has just been released, other unique martinis appear to be on the rise as well. The wet martini at Eel Bar in New York City’s Lower East Side neighborhood has become popular within the last few months, with the New York Times featuring the drink yesterday.
Unlike the well-known dry martini, its opposition is a cocktail with “too much” vermouth, and it has a niche audience appreciating the drink despite mixologists calling it a sloppily made martini.
The cocktail is akin to a “vermut preparado,” meaning “prepared vermouth” in English, a drink from the Basque Country on the north coast of Spain.
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The Marrow Fine x Adalina collaboration came about after the jewelry brand, known for its signature stacking rings and bespoke heirloom designs, opened a Chicago showroom last fall on the ground floor of the 9 West Walton building where Adalina is also located.
“Adalina was a natural choice to partner with, not only because of its proximity, but also because of their world-class menu from Top Chef [contestant] Soo Ahn,” said Sassone.
“Each time I have visited Adalina, I’m blown away by every dish but also by the palpable energy and excitement in the restaurant. The $13,000 Marrow martini is a fun collaboration between our brands and an extension of that excitement. And I suspect it will make for a few very memorable evenings.”
The Marrow Martini debuted on Adalina’s menu last week.
It will be available indefinitely and can only be purchased at the restaurant, which is located at 912 N State St. in Chicago.
Marrow Fine’s Chicago showroom can be found at 9 W Walton St. The brand also has a flagship in San Diego and an additional location in Newport Beach, California.
