Esquire's Best Martinis in America: 2025 Edition

Esquire, December 2025

Mushroom Martini - The Patterson House

“Not those kinds of mushrooms. Alex McCutchen (beverage director) and Patrick Chabot (bar manager) start by infusing Gray Whale gin with shiitakes, which is genius because Gray Whale already includes California sea kelp in its recipe of botanicals, thus the mushrooms layer umami on top of umami. The earthiness takes off from there: nutty Amontillado sherry, brown-butter Barbadian rum, and Bittermens Scarborough bitters (made from parsley, sage, rosemary and ... you know). The Patterson House is on the top floor of a low-rise, and the city lights twinkle outside as you float among the buildings. Almost like you’re on mushrooms, only better. —R.D.”