Bar director Rob Krueger is charmed by the idea of a tiny Martini in a mini cocktail glass topped with a huge olive.
“That vision stuck with me,” he said of developing the beverage program at Smith & Mills, which opened its second location in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center in late 2023. He toyed with the concept and landed on a trio of mini Martinis: a Vesper inspired by the popular large-format version from the original location, a smoky mezcal-based interpretation, and, yes, a gin Martini with a giant Spanish olive. The restaurant also serves rounds of mini Espresso Martinis.
“People absolutely love it,” Kruger says. “People love cute stuff.”
Cute may be an understatement. Smaller-format Martinis are popping up on cocktail menus at bars, restaurants, and even homes across the country. The idea is simple: Swap the standard 8-ounce Martini glass for a teenier equivalent — think a coupe, vintage glassware, a Nick and Nora — or any vessel that tempers the volume while still allowing for a garnish.
I was delighted to see a three-way take when I visited Smith & Mills, especially since I’ve been serving what I call “teeny tiny Tinis” in my own home regularly. For me, they’re a way to enjoy a Martini and imbibe less alcohol. For others, like my husband, they’re means of exploring variations of the cocktail instead of just having one. The mini drink fits the bill for various other applications, including educating consumers, viral social media marketing, and lower-ABV nightcaps
