Meet the Elizabeth Taylor Chocolate Martini, A Decadent Tribute with Purpose
A new indulgent creation has just arrived at the Tryst Hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: the Elizabeth Taylor Chocolate Martini. Inspired by a spontaneous cocktail brewed by Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson on the set of Giant in 1955, this decadent drink is now making waves—not only for its rich flavour but also for its philanthropic heart. For every cocktail sold, £0.75 (around $1) goes directly to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF).
From Set Mischief to Cocktail Menu
The origins of this sweet treat are simple and charming: while filming Giant, Taylor and Hudson mixed vodka, Kahlúa, and chocolate syrup in a curious moment of fun, and created what would later be dubbed the chocolate martini. At Tryst Hotel, bartenders now shake up a refined version using Tito’s Vodka, Kahlúa, and chocolate syrup served over ice, resulting in a velvety, dessert-style cocktail priced at about £7.50 ($10). Tristan Schukraft, Founder of Tryst Hospitality, puts it perfectly:
“This cocktail is more than just a toast—it’s a tribute.”
Elizabeth Taylor’s Legacy, Opulence Meets Advocacy
Elizabeth Taylor was not just a screen legend, she built a staggering fortune, estimated at £450 million ($600 million) at the time of her death in 2011. Her groundbreaking roles in films such as Cleopatra (1963), for which she was the first actress ever to earn £750,000 ($1 million), and award-winning performances in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) secured her place in Hollywood history. Her entrepreneurial savvy shone through her “White Diamonds” perfume, which generated over £750 million ($1 billion) in sales by 2011.
This glamorous cocktail is an echo of that legacy: rich, luxurious, and symbolic of Taylor’s larger-than-life presence, yet grounded in her unwavering commitment to HIV/AIDS activism.
A Cocktail That Gives Back
Beyond nostalgia and opulence, the Elizabeth Taylor Chocolate Martini serves a higher purpose. In collaboration with ETAF, co-founded by Taylor in 1991, the initiative contributes financial support for HIV/AIDS research and awareness with each glass sold. The drink is served in Tryst Hotel’s LGBT-friendly bar in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica, a fitting setting where Taylor’s advocacy continues to find resonance.
A Sip of Glamour with a Cause
The Elizabeth Taylor Chocolate Martini isn’t just another cocktail, it’s a sensory experience laced with Hollywood glamour, a taste of philanthropic purpose, and a tribute to a legendary icon. Its debut is both a nod to Old Hollywood’s indulgent charm and a celebration of Taylor’s enduring legacy in activism and luxury.