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Epicurious

Sakura Martini

3.5

(3)

Threequarter image of a clear cocktail in a coupe glass with a white flower garnish floating up top
Photo by Lizzie Munro

This is the house Martini at Bar Goto, a New York cocktail bar owned by bartender Kenta Goto, who was born in Tokyo. The drink, which has the novel garnish of a cherry blossom, was the first Goto created for the bar. “That’s one thing I always, always wanted to do—use the cherry blossom,” said Goto. “Everyone loves cherry blossoms. That’s the national flower of Japan, too.” That blossom, as well as the addition of sake and maraschino liqueur to the usual gin, result in a very delicate Martini. Salted cherry blossoms (the salt is a preservative) can be purchased at large scale Japanese grocery stores or on Amazon.

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