Bottoms Up: Avocadotini at Arkos (+ video)
Avocados are perfect for salads, guacamole or as a spread, but what about used as a martini ingredient?
It might not sound like the two belong together, but Arkos Mojo Grill and Martini Bar in Lexington has found a way to mix the two into an extremely tasty mix.
“People come in and try it and they wish they could take home a gallon of it,” general manager Ray Martinez said. “We love introducing people to a different atmosphere as well as a new taste.”
Martinez, who has been with Arkos for close to two years, has seen the restaurant grow in popularity exponentially in due part to their creative drinks and fresh food.
The Avocadotini blends fresh ingredients into a very refreshing drink that Martinez describes as “almost like a smoothie.”
After putting fresh lime, orange, avocado and a little bit of basil in a glass, the ingredients are then muddled to release some of their flavor into the drink.
After the muddling process, mango rum, Cointreau, agave nectar and a splash of orange juice is poured on top and then shaken into a mixture with avocado color.
Finally, the drink is double strained into the martini glass and garnished with a small orange wedge.
“It’s a citrus flavored cocktail and the avocado gives it a great consistency. It’s refreshing and people might get turned off from the idea of an avocado in their cocktail, but once they try it, they have to come back for it.”
The cocktail costs $8, but the flavor of the drink makes this a must-try.
“We have a fantastic fresh food menu and there’s nothing like it around Lexington. The Avocadotini goes great with our Tuna Tartare,” Martinez said.
Arkos, which just celebrated its two-year anniversary, is located in the shoppes near the Flight Deck, and even though they are a little tucked away from the main road, it is a strength rather than a weakness thanks to their outside seating and a rooftop bar.
All in all, this restaurant is sure to be mainstay in Lexington thanks to their drink menu and unique food.
Aaron Ransdell
More Bottoms Up
Lynchburg Lemonade at Moosehead Saloon
Blue Lagoon Fish Bowl at Lattitude 22
Mango Madness at Private Property
The Elder Rye at Mr. Friendly’s
Do you have a drink that sets the bar high? Let us know at statefeatures@thestate.com
This story was originally published May 12, 2015 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Bottoms Up: Avocadotini at Arkos (+ video)."