According to the IWSR global trends report, mixologists are highlighting creative new twists on old-fashioned cocktails, particularly the martini. What ingredient—once frowned upon—is being added to new wave martinis?

B.

Yes, good old headache-inducing monosodium glutamate (MSG)—once the bane of low-end Chinese restaurants—has resurfaced as a creative martini ingredient. The MSG is often added to the drink via an MSG-spiked olive brine. A sodium salt of glutamic acid, MSG is said to give the cocktail a blast of umami and sharpen the sensory impact of the drink. We bet.