Capitol File / Martini and Rossi Andy Warhol party

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October 31, 2008

Capitol File [magazine] / Martini and Rossi Andy Warhol party

Several years before the Factory and his iconic paintings of Campbell's soup cans and Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol designed advertisements for Martini and Rossi. The 1950s advertisements are back this year, giving a retro cool feel to the liquor company and redefining vermouth aperitifs in the U.S.

To celebrate, Martini and Rossi are throwing factory parties in major cities across the country, and Wednesday night the company held one at the Renaissance M Street Hotel. Co-hosted by Capitol File, the party presented six cocktails, all of which feature vermouth, a fortified wine flavored with herbs and spices. Warhol's four advertisements hung around the room, and servers dressed in Warhol-era styles passed cocktails.

My favorite, the Bohemian Cocktail, features Rosso vermouth, orange juice, cranberry juice and grenadine. The electric orange beverage is subtly sweet and light.

The Velvet Edie, named for Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick, contains Bianco vermouth, lemon juice, simple syrup, raspberries and mint leaves. A lovely mix of flavors, the muddled raspberries provided a summery touch. I also liked the Celebrity Crush, a smooth combination of Rosso vermouth, cranberry juice, simple syrup, raspberries and rosemary needles.

To nosh on, Chef John Therres served up tuna tartare on won ton chips, crabcake sliders and shrimp and cheddar grits.

The cocktails and bar snacks will be available this fall during happy hour from 4 to 8 p.m. at the trendy M Bar, located in the hotel, 1143 New Hampshire Ave., N.W.

Check next Friday's Blade for an article on fall cocktails and where to find some of the most creative glasses around the city.

Posted by Amy Cavanaugh, News Reporter | Oct. 31 at 2:33 PM | acavanaugh@washblade.com

Courtesy of FGPR