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• This timeless drink has new style and endless versatility

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Bartender Joe Savoie of Boltini mixes up a sexy martini. Photo by James Kyung

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Boltini Lounge »
Address: 211 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 378-8001
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Boltini Lounge, located in downtown Champaign, offers fun food, music and, of course, a mouthwatering selection of martinis. With over 30 martinis on the menu, Boltini Lounge shakes up cocktails from the sweet Chocolate Truffle’tini to the spicy Hot ‘N Dirty martini.

Carrie Bradshaw isn’t the only one guzzling Cosmos faster than she can say “straight up” — most UI students seem to prefer the trademark Sex and the City drink more than any shaken vodka martini. Despite the diverse menu, assistant manager and eight-year bartender James Holland claimed, “The House Cosmopolitan is just the one we get the most orders for.” This traditional recipe is made with Absolute Vodka, lime juice, Cointreau orange liquor, and a splash of cranberry juice. Unless otherwise specified, all of Boltini’s martinis are served straight up.

More adventurous martini lovers might try Stone Cold Blueberries, which are ”hands-down the coolest martini on the menu,” said Holland. This Boltini original recipe is made with Vincent Van Gogh Acai Blueberry Vodka, a fresh squeeze of lemon juice, drunken blueberries (liqeur-soaked blueberries) and a sugar rim. Holland favors this decadent drink “because it comes with a couple blueberries at the bottom of the glass. It’s like a little snack in your drink.”

Newest on the menu at Boltini’s is the Black Cherry Manhattan. A twist on the standard Manhattan, the Black Cherry is made with Jim Beam’s new Red Stag bourbon, Vya sweet vermouth and bitters.

If you want to seem like a martini connoisseur, there are some terms to get acquainted with before you sidle up to the bar and give Holland your order:

Bitters: A bitter additive made from many herbs spices and plants used to flavor cocktails.

Dirty: A little bit of olive brine is added to the concoction.

Dry: A small amount of vermouth is added. As more vermouth is added, the martini becomes “wetter.”

On the Rocks: Served over ice.

Straight Up: Also just “up;” this drink has no ice.

With a twist: A garnish made from the rind of a lemon or lime.

Whether you are in the mood for the old Bradshaw favorite or a sexy new cocktail, Boltini offers a martini to quench any craving.