Italy’s Palazzo Avino Has 100 Different Types of Martinis, and Every One Is Worth a Try

As if anyone needed a reason to book a trip to the Amalfi Coast, Palazzo Avino, one of the most striking hotels in the region, gives you 100 reasons. “The Pink Palace,” as it’s affectionately called due to its distinctive sunset hue, offers striking views from its outdoor patio overlooking the Mediterranean. But it’s the hotel’s menu of 100 different types of martinis that really draws people in.

The hotel seamlessly blends the sophistication of its aristocratic past with contemporary charm, offering understated extravagance in each of its 43 rooms. It’s a hotel where the details deliver, including its polished marble floors, grand lounges bathed in light thanks to its picture windows and glass ceilings, and panoramic terraces. Still, the most dazzling feature of all is the hotel’s extraordinary Lobster & Martini Bar.

Located on its main terrace, the four-seat bar opens just as the sun begins to dip behind the craggy coastline at 6 p.m. each night. Here, guests can pore over the menu of dozens of different kinds of martinis, meticulously crafted by the hotel’s mixologist, Salvatore Anastasio. There’s no need to rush, as Anastasio and his team want to ensure you get exactly what you’re after, whether it’s a gin, vodka, or even a tequila-based martini. 

“The idea was to create something playful and unexpected, yet perfectly in tune with the elegance of the setting,” Attila Avino, co-owner and director of sales and marketing of Palazzo Avino, shared with Food & Wine. “A collection of 100 martinis invites guests to keep discovering something new, no matter how many times they return.” 

On a warm evening, Anastasio walked us through the menu, which ranges from timeless classics (make it as dry or as dirty as you want) to wildly inventive creations bursting with Amalfi Coast flavors.

Our personalized trip through Anastasio’s martini creations began perfectly on-brand with the Pink Martini. Crafted from fresh lemon, fragrant rose and lychee liqueurs, premium vodka, and lemon essence, this cocktail not only matches the hotel’s iconic color but also embodies its sweet and vibrant spirit. 

Next, we sipped on the striking Macchia Mediterranea, a martini as vividly blue as the Mediterranean sky above us. Infused with zesty lemon, rosemary syrup, Italicus liqueur, an herbaceous pino mugo, and Marconi 42 gin, the drink is a true sensory experience.

Finally, we finish things off with a drink as local as they get: the Ravello Lemon Drop. Made with Amalfi lemons plucked directly from trees surrounding Palazzo Avino, Tanqueray 10, lemon juice, house-made limoncello, and house-made lemon syrup, drinking it is akin to taking a sip of summer sunshine. 

“The Lemon Drop Martini is a personal go-to,” Avino said. “Mariella (her sister and co-owner) adores the Lychee Martini, floral and refined, much like her.” 

As delightful as the martinis are, the hotel’s culinary offerings extend far beyond the bar. Rossellinis, Palazzo Avino’s Michelin-starred restaurant, elevates traditional southern Italian cuisine, serving handmade pasta, freshly caught seafood, and local vegetables carefully paired with wines to match.

Those seeking a more laid-back atmosphere can find just that at the hotel’s casual terrace lounge, Terrazza Maraviglia, where more pastas, crudo, and artisanal cheeses are always on the menu. But for a full moment of relaxed zen, guests at the hotel can head down to Palazzo Avino’s exclusive private beach club. Located just a short shuttle ride away, this waterside hideaway offers wood-fired pizzas, more seafood and pasta, and perhaps the perfect Aperol Spritz with a view. 

Yes, Palazzo Avino’s lavish suites and their spectacular views certainly shine. But it’s the personalized care, from ensuring you have the perfect martini for you, the right pasta, and a world-class view at every turn, that makes it unforgettable. 

Palazzo Avino is more than a hotel. It’s a feeling of joy, beauty, and belonging,” Avino said. “And enjoying a martini while gazing at the sea? That’s pure magic.”