WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Jul 31, 2012) - Celebrate a civilized summer cocktail with tableside Martinis prepared to your specifications and personalized for you in true British fashion.

Now through August 12th The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC hotel's Lobby Bar will feature four traditional and not so traditional Martinis. The Lobby Bar will be creating a convivial atmosphere where friends old and new will be able to enjoy one of their new expertly crafted cocktails.

The Martini, prepared tableside, is the pure rapture of a marriage between gin and dry vermouth. The result is a crystal clear elixir that combines English gin with the aromatic French vermouth accompanied by the garnish of olives or a lemon peel.

Shaken or stirred? Olive or twist? Straight up or on the rocks? The martini experience is just as much about the occasion and the atmosphere as the drink itself. Pick up a few trade secrets on martini mystique Monday through Saturday from 5:30-6:00 as the luxury hotel's in-house cocktail historian and spirits specialists Shaun Henesy and Sylvia Cho demonstrate how to make a classic martini while recapping the history of each cocktail.

Tableside Martini Menu

London Calling
Boodles London Gin, Courvoisier Cognac, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, sweet vermouth

Vesper
Boodles London Gin, Ketel One Vodka, Lillet Blanc

Martinez
Old Tom Gin, sweet vermouth, Fee Brothers Orange Bitters, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

Martini 2012
Pearl Pomegranate Vodka, Pama Liqueur, POM Pomegranate juice, fresh lemon juice, pama foam

For more information about special events or hotel reservations for The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., please call the hotel directly at (202) 835-0500, a travel professional, or visit http://ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/WashingtonDC/Default.htm.