It isn’t New York Fashion Week without a little hint of Kendall Jenner. Though the supermodel has been noticeably absent at the biggest style event of the season, her 818 tequila brand made a tasty and Instagram-worthy appearance.
On Friday, Feb. 10, Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila Espresso Martini Lounge made its debut during NYFW, and I got to experience it firsthand. (Look, there’s me blinking in the back left.) Here’s everything you missed:
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The festivities took place at Dante West Village, the second location of NYC’s iconic landmark restaurant (and 2019’s World’s Best Bar) Dante. The space, which boasts classic vintage vibes (think: black and white photos), is known for its Meditteranean-style dishes and wide range of cocktails, aka the perfect spot for a martini lounge.
Three 818-infused cocktails were served throughout the night — most notably, the espresso martini, which strays from tradition, using tequila instead of vodka. I’m not usually an espresso martini gworl, but the vanilla notes of the 818 Tequila Reposado enhanced the creamy, coffee-forward concoction.
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Outside the espresso martini that kept me awake long past my bedtime, there were two other cocktail offerings: a Runway Paloma (made with 818 Tequila Blanco), which tasted like a traditional, grapefruit-forward paloma; and an NYC Toddy (made with 818 Tequila Añejo), which will warm you from the chest out.
Though the pop-up was a one-day-only event, 818’s tequila-infused version of an espresso martini will be featured at two other NYC locations, American Bar and Little Rebel, through Wednesday, Feb. 15 (the end of NYFW).
Not in the area? Here’s how you can make Kendall Jenner’s 818 Espresso Martini at home.