The martini cocktail—typically four parts gin to one part vermouth—is a Western staple; from the three-martini lunches enjoyed by American businessmen through the 1970s to the “Shaken, not stirred” vodka martinis enjoyed by James Bond, the cocktail has a long and storied association with men of influence.
The world’s most expensive martini, however, has a little something for the ladies.
Offered by the Blue Bar at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City, the Martini on the Rock is served in a crystal glass on a silver platter. The Grey Goose martini’s price wasn’t determined by the quality of alcohol in the mixed drink, but by one very special ingredient—a diamond engagement ring.
The drink is listed at $10,000, but its actual price is determined by the ring. A visit with a private jeweler allows the customer to choose the perfect ring for the occasion. As such, the hotel requires a 72-hour advance notice to serve the most expensive martini.
