Experiences

Simplicity is said to be the highest form of sophistication. Indeed, only a few have ascended to the 45th floor of the Midtown Tower, Tokyo, to experience the Diamonds are Forever martini—the most expensive cocktail in the world.

To call it a luxury would be an understatement that is nearly as discrete as the drink itself. This crystal-clear blend of chilled Absolut Elyx Vodka and lime juice is accented by nothing less than a one-carat diamond that sparkles at the bottom of the glass.

If you’re in the market for diamonds, you might consider the drink complementary. Make a bold statement while enjoying your cocktail, and have a little fun while acquiring your next investment.

Ritz-Carlton Tokyo: Sparkling Ambiance

You can savor this extravagant martini at the lobby bar of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The Ritz is situated between the 45th and 63rd floors of Tokyo’s Midtown Tower. Like the martini, the Ritz Carlton Tokyo embodies elegance with an opulence that bubbles just beneath the surface.

This refined design marvel is suspended against a spectacular backdrop—it is the tallest hotel in the most populous city in the world. The mixed-use Midtown Tower was constructed alongside five other large structures as part of the Midtown Complex. At nearly 815 feet, the Tower is the tallest building in the complex, and was the tallest building in Tokyo until 2014.

Hotel guests emerge from the Ritz’s 45th floor elevators into the hotel lobby and enjoy silk lounge chairs, shimmering limestone and granite floors, and a warm chestnut-colored Anigre wood interior. The space was designed from top to bottom by Massachusetts designer and Ritz-Carlton design expert Frank Nicholson.

A simple geometric pattern of repeating squares is featured throughout. It creates lines of vision that lead observers’ eyes through the space to expansive windows that frame spectacular views of the surrounding Roppongi district.

If, after an overnight stay, you decide to go one floor up to the Ritz-Carlton Spa, you can take a swim in the 20-meter indoor pool and continue to feast your eyes on the surroundings. The pool provides stunning views of Mount Fuji.

The Martini’s Rise to the Top

The Diamonds are Forever martini was created during Negroni Week 2019. Negroni Week is an annual event during which participating bars around the world pay homage to the Italian gin-based Negroni cocktail. Millions of dollars in charity funds are raised while mixologists flex their creative muscles to concoct their own unique rendition of the drink.

This time around, the Ritz Tokyo bar staff chose to do away with the gin—a characteristic ingredient—in favor of a standout theme featuring vodka instead. Its diamond embellishment was inspired by the James Bond classic, Diamonds are Forever.

Though the 1971 movie follows the most interesting man in the world as he seeks to foil the plans of jewel thieves, Diamonds are Forever is considered by some to be the most mellow Bond movie in the collection. It’s jazz-inspired soundtrack offers an appropriate backdrop to a plotline that was not nearly as action-packed as other Bond films, but was no less thrilling. The film’s quality of grandiosity without ostentatiousness is what sets the Ritz and its famed martini apart.

Most Expensive Cocktail in the World: Holding the Title

The great skyscraper race has been going on for decades, with designers and engineers engaging in a relay of ambitious innovations. This is the stuff that the Pyramids of Giza, the Eiffel Tower, The Midtown Tower, and the Burj Khalifa are made of. One design team basks in the glory of the title until another supersedes it with something even more spectacular to inherit the “Tallest Building” designation.

In much the same way, competition for the title of the World’s Most Expensive Cocktail involves an array of charismatic players, including:

• The Gigi in Mayfair, London: A mixture of 1990 vintage Cristal, 1888 Samalens Vieille Relique Vintage Bas Armagnac brandy, Angostura Bitters, sugar, and a gold leaf, this cocktail was created to honor the singer and actress, Grace Jones and costs up to $13,000 USD.
• Ono Champagne Cocktail, Encore Wynn hotel, Las Vegas: This drink includes the rare 1981 Charles Heidsieck Champagne, Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac, fresh orange juice, Sence rose nectar, apricot, and two ice cubes, and is served up with an 18-carat gold necklace. It runs $10,000 USD.
• Martini on the Rock, Algonquin Hotel, NY: A classic martini with a diamond (albeit a lesser carat rating than the title-holder) at the bottom of the glass.

For as long as the Diamonds Are Forever martini is considered the winner of this passionate competition, it will dazzle many from afar, but only a few up close.

A One-of-a-Kind Experience

You will undoubtedly feel an almost mesmerizing sense of anticipation when your bartender arrives to mix this drink at your tableside. A live band will serenade you with a rendition of Shirley Bassey’s theme song for the classic Bond film, and you will, for a moment, summit the top of the world.

For 2 million yen—just over $18,000 USD–you can enjoy the unrivaled Diamonds are Forever martini. However, money alone will not gain you access. You may need the expertise of a top-notch concierge service to plan your visit and get you to the front of this exclusive line. TTW Corporate Service will do that for you and more. Contact us now to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.