Tuesday, December 16, 2025 |
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There are several flawless creations: the scissors, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on Fire," a well-made martini. When executed properly, a martini is the perfect libation—a clean, bracing cocktail that's as efficient as it is elegant. For the last few years, we've fanned out across American bars and bistros in search of the very best martinis. This week, we published our list for 2025, which you can find here. Cheers! —Michael Sebastian, editor in chief Plus: |
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It's that time of year: We've spent many glorious evenings sampling the finest versions of one of our favorite cocktails ... and now you can too! And now, The List.
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Let's all relax a little bit about the martini. It deserves our respect, yes—it has served us nobly on thousands of evenings. But it desireth not our piety. It's basically a glass of alcohol, artfully and ever so slightly messed with. That's where the fun comes in, and if you haven't noticed, bartenders across the country are having a blast. We have noticed, and we've worked hard on countless long evenings (and some afternoons too, and also maybe a couple late mornings) drinking many martinis in search of the worthy few. Herewith, we unveil Esquire's Best Martinis in America Right Now. You'll find the classic, perfectly executed, in several establishments around the country. You'll also find one in New York made with za'atar, and one in New Orleans that incorporates a pineapple amaro (and does so ably). We hope our list inspires red-faced debates and spittled diatribes, and maybe a little joy in these joy-challenged times. After all, it's a big country; somebody's gotta drink it. Join us! Try them all! |
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We understand how annoying it is to tell you to buy a straight razor. We're 120 years past the invention of the safety razor and 50 years past the invention of the cartridge razor. So yes, saying you should shave with the thing that's even older—thousands of years old if we're talking about the concept of a knife for shaving—is crazy. But it will, actually, give you the best shave of your life.
In fact, let's divert attention. It's crazier that some men only use electric razors, not beard trimmers but electric razors. Sure, having one in the grooming arsenal makes everyday beard maintenance easier, but unless you are keeping a bit of stubble, it should not be your only shaving tool. If you ever go for a clean shave, a straight razor is the best tool—full stop. They are the best for your face, don't give you as many in-grown hairs, and (unlike the five-bladed cartridge razors) don't get clogged up with hairs after two shaves. |
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"As you wish." In 1987, Rob Reiner's film The Princess Bride immortalized those words as a stand-in for the phrase "I love you." Every time you hear that phrase in the movie, it really means this powerful other thing. It's a code between two people who care deeply for each other—told through the tale of the swashbuckling Wesley and the princess Buttercup—but it's also a secret way of expressing love in the everyday framing device that bookends the story. Reiner thought this was the true point of the movie when he set out to adapt William Goldman's 1973 novel of the same name. "When people say, 'What is the film The Princess Bride about?' I say, 'It's about how a sick boy, who doesn't want to see his grandfather, is brought closer to his grandfather over the sharing of a book,'" Reiner told me in 2003. For the director, stories were a way of uniting people. Film was his way to say "As you wish," like a covert language for delivering comfort and reassurance. |
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