The summer solstice is barely in the rear-view mirror, but the heat is already on. When the temperature soars, nothing beats the heat better than a crisp, cool martini. Sure, the classic cocktail can be enjoyed throughout the year, but what about a martini tailor-made for the season?  

Enter Ariel Arce, the New York entrepreneur and the brains behind some wildly successful destinations – Niche Niche, Heroes, and Tokyo Record Bar, to name a few. As Hilton’s partner in its newest StiR Creative Collective project, Leonessa at Conrad New York Downtown, Ariel has shaped a sophisticated cocktail program that pays homage to Italian drinking culture with a flair all her own. 

Inspired by aperitivo hour and the lush citrus trees that adorn the space, Ariel developed a recipe for the perfect summer martini. If a trip to the Big Apple isn’t on the bucket list this summer, she is sharing the recipe for Leonessa’s eponymous martini, a blend of beautiful citrus flavors and Italian spirits that will have you pining for your next trip to Positano.

Photo Credit: Michael Persico Courtesy of Conrad New York Downtown

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