TikTok’s “Savory” Martini Trend Must Be Stopped

I'll admit I don't drink alcohol very often. While I do like to imbibe once every few weeks, it's typically one glass of Chardonnay or a good ol' French 75 (yes, I am like the other girls). My current drinking habits starkly contrast with those of my early 20s, when I would take shots of Fireball and wash them down with an Angry Orchard or scoop a Solo cup into a cooler of mysterious and lukewarm “hunch punch” at a frat party.

Now that I'm in my 30s, I like to think of my tastes as more refined. Wine bars and tapas restaurants with craft cocktails are more my style, and now that I'm grown and not a broke college student, I'm happy to shell out a bit for an elevated drinking experience. It wasn't until recently, however, that I discovered the wonder of an ice-cold martini.

Trying a martini for the first time opened up an entire new world of possibility. Being partial to gin, it was an instant fit. Not only is it delicious, but — let's be honest — people look fancy and grown-up while drinking one. There are also so many different varieties to try. The espresso martini has undeniably become a popular choice, enjoyed during many a girl's night out. During my daily scrolls on TikTok, I've seen plenty of tributes to this marvelous yet intense combination of caffeine and liquor. After a while, though, I also started to notice a shift in martini culture.

The classic cocktail used to be enjoyed as one of two versions: straight-up gin and vermouth, or “dirty” with the inclusion of olive brine. The espresso martini made the drink a unique and, arguably, more accessible option for people who needed a little pizazz in their alcohol. Things were all fine and dandy, and then TikTok came along. All of a sudden, “savory” martinis were born. As someone who prefers savory rather than sweet, my interest was piqued. There couldn't be any harm in adding a creative twist to an old favorite, right?

Wrong.

As more people caught on to this trend, things began getting a little out of hand. First, I came across a Caesar salad-flavored variation. While I personally love a Caesar salad, I have never thought to myself, “You know what would be fun? Drinking this salad.” Plus, I'd imagine that if you walked up to a bartender and asked them for one, they would be incredulous. Isn't a dirty martini enough? Now, you want the taste of sardines and Dijon mustard in your beverage? Blasphemy, honestly.

You may hope the insanity ends there, as did I, but it was only just beginning. Countless creators started experimenting with the most ridiculous flavors — an everything bagel martini, anyone? Do you want some feta cheese in your glass? Make it stop!

The most egregious example quite literally made me close the app and take a deep breath: a triple dipper martini. Yes, someone actually made a cocktail harnessing the flavors of Chili's popular appetizer. Not only that, they used the restaurant's mozzarella sticks as a garnish. As one comment on the video said, “I fear we've lost the plot.”

It may sound slightly dramatic, but I truly think the desire to go viral and stand out on social media has left a stain on the martini community. Normally I'm not a purist when it comes to ordering a tasty bev at a bar, but it seems we've gone too far with these outlandish martini iterations. Look at it this way: would you seriously hit up your favorite local happy hour and order a round of “kimchitinis”? I think not.

Maybe we can make a collective decision to leave this all behind. What happened to sipping on a refreshing gin and tonic? Or nursing an Old Fashioned, if dark liquor is your jam? Hell, even drinking a Cosmo would be a better alternative if you still want to carry around a martini glass. On behalf of the mixologists of the world, I submit that we should close the chapter on the outrageous TikTok concoctions and go back to the basics. If you find yourself tempted to whip up a Wingstop martini . . . please don't.

Lexi Inks is a lifestyle journalist based in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to her contributions at PS, she is a staff writer on Bustle's Sex & Relationships vertical and a lifestyle news writer for The List.