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Whiskey Charlie’s new Flowers on the Roof cocktail takes its name literally.
Whiskey Charlie/official photo

10 Cherry Blossom Cocktails to Sip Right Now

Bartenders are capitalizing on the seasonal craze in D.C.

by Tierney Plumb
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Whiskey Charlie’s new Flowers on the Roof cocktail takes its name literally.
| Whiskey Charlie/official photo
by Tierney Plumb

D.C.’s Cherry Blossom Festival officially kicked off this week, and bars across town are mixing themed cocktails starring Japanese spirits, floral flavors, and Luxardo cherries to honor the short-lived pink buds popping up along the Tidal Basin.

Mixologists are also having fun with flowers’ edible and aesthetic properties. New places to find a flurry of cherry blossom cocktails under one roof include the sleek bar inside Artechouse’s immersive “In Peak Bloom” digital exhibit and La Vie’s new cherry blossom terrace bar overlooking the blooming action below.

Hurry before they’re gone: many of these drinks disappear once cherry blossom season concludes on April 14.

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Toki Highball at Cherry Blossom Pub

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This easy-to-drink elixir at Drink Company’s annual festive pop-up features Toki Whisky, Perrier, grapefruit and elderflower tincture ($11).

1825 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396
Toki Highball
Nicholas Karlin/www.karlinvillondo.com

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Sherry Colada at Estadio

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Barman Adam Bernbach’s cherry blossom creation (available through April 14) integrates Oloroso Sherry, coconut, pineapple, spices, and lime ($10). Another sherry-centric drink is the Txakaletro Slushito with Manzanilla, gin, and pistachio ($10).

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 319-1404
(202) 319-1404
Sherry Colada
Estadio/official photo

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Pop of Pink at Quill at The Jefferson

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The glitzy hotel bar just released a spring-themed cocktail to accompany its new outdoor terrace.

This flute is filled with milk-washed Kaiyo Japanese Whiskey, Lyle’s Golden Syrup, yuzu, and hibiscus ($19), available through June.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300
Pop of Pink
The Jefferson/official photo

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The Empress at the Fairmont

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The hotel bar’s seasonal drink (served through April 14) features white balsamic cherry reduction, Tito’s vodka, aperol, fresh lemon, prosecco, and a Luxardo cherry garnish for $12. For five days starting, Monday, March 25, sister hotel Sofitel will serve a Suntory Toki Whisky cocktail with honey-infused ice cubes at its French brasserie, Opaline.

2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-2400
(202) 429-2400
The Empress
Fairmont/official photo

Sakura Spritz at Bourbon Steak

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Head bartender Sarah Rosner, who’s big on integrating locally-grown herbs and garnishes, makes this cocktail with raw honey syrup, Lindera Farm’s cherry blossom vinegar, yuzu, and Roku gin. It’s topped with Fever Tree soda.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Sakura Spritz
Bourbon Steak/official photo

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Sakura at American Son

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Eaton hotel’s resident restaurant spikes tea time by combining Hendricks Orbium gin, sake, sakura (cherry blossom), and ginger tea. Chef Tim Ma’s menu is also getting in the spring spirit via Madai sea bream crudo with cherry blossom shoyu. Eaton’s two other bars are also ringing in their first cherry blossom season with a Greenhat Gin, sake, cucumber, and lime cocktail at rooftop bar Wild Days and a Civic Vodka and matcha-filled “Wabi Sabi” at the Allegory speakeasy (all $14 each).

 

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 900-8416
(202) 900-8416
Sakura
Eaton/official photo

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Cherroni at Stable DC

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The Swiss restaurant on H Street NE makes a cherry negroni ($11) filled with local and Swiss spirits, including one made in-house by co-owner Silvan Kraemer. The cocktail comes with Green Hat Summer Gin, Cerasum Apertivo, its own Atlas Roeteli Cherry Liquor, and Kina L’Aero d’or Aperitif wine from Switzerland. It’s served through April 14 with a classic block ice cube and garnished with a cherry and orange peel.

1324 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 733-4604
(202) 733-4604
Cherroni
Stable/official photo

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Philosopher’s Walk at The Next Whisky Bar

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The retro whisky bar inside the Watergate hotel stirs Toki Suntory Japanese Whisky, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat syrup, lemon, pink lemon whip, and apple blossom flower. The name doubles a history lesson, referring to the pedestrian path that follows a cherry tree-lined canal between zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Influential 20th-century Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida is said to have walked it for daily meditation.

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 827-1600
(202) 827-1600
Philosopher’s Walk
Watergate/official photo

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Bing and Blossom at Mastro's Steakhouse

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The downtown steakhouse unites Calyx gin, Italicus “Rosolio di Bergamotto” liqueur, and lemon over ice with a splash of Fever-Tree tonic. The drink is garnished with a Luxardo cherry and mint ($19).  

600 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-1500
(202) 347-1500
Bing and Blossom
Mastro/official photo

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Flowers on the Roof at Whiskey Charlie

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Inspired by the bar’s scenic waterfront location at the Canopy Hotel, this refreshing cocktail features D.C.’s Green Hat gin and Lillet Blanc, garnished with berries and rosemary. It’s available at the Wharf from March 20 through April 14 ($14).

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 488-2500
(202) 488-2500
Flowers of the Roof
Whiskey Charlie/official photo

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Toki Highball at Cherry Blossom Pub

1825 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This easy-to-drink elixir at Drink Company’s annual festive pop-up features Toki Whisky, Perrier, grapefruit and elderflower tincture ($11).

1825 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396
Toki Highball
Nicholas Karlin/www.karlinvillondo.com

Sherry Colada at Estadio

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Barman Adam Bernbach’s cherry blossom creation (available through April 14) integrates Oloroso Sherry, coconut, pineapple, spices, and lime ($10). Another sherry-centric drink is the Txakaletro Slushito with Manzanilla, gin, and pistachio ($10).

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 319-1404
(202) 319-1404
Sherry Colada
Estadio/official photo

Pop of Pink at Quill at The Jefferson

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The glitzy hotel bar just released a spring-themed cocktail to accompany its new outdoor terrace.

This flute is filled with milk-washed Kaiyo Japanese Whiskey, Lyle’s Golden Syrup, yuzu, and hibiscus ($19), available through June.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300
Pop of Pink
The Jefferson/official photo

The Empress at the Fairmont

2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037

The hotel bar’s seasonal drink (served through April 14) features white balsamic cherry reduction, Tito’s vodka, aperol, fresh lemon, prosecco, and a Luxardo cherry garnish for $12. For five days starting, Monday, March 25, sister hotel Sofitel will serve a Suntory Toki Whisky cocktail with honey-infused ice cubes at its French brasserie, Opaline.

2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-2400
(202) 429-2400
The Empress
Fairmont/official photo

Sakura Spritz at Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Head bartender Sarah Rosner, who’s big on integrating locally-grown herbs and garnishes, makes this cocktail with raw honey syrup, Lindera Farm’s cherry blossom vinegar, yuzu, and Roku gin. It’s topped with Fever Tree soda.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Sakura Spritz
Bourbon Steak/official photo

Sakura at American Son

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Eaton hotel’s resident restaurant spikes tea time by combining Hendricks Orbium gin, sake, sakura (cherry blossom), and ginger tea. Chef Tim Ma’s menu is also getting in the spring spirit via Madai sea bream crudo with cherry blossom shoyu. Eaton’s two other bars are also ringing in their first cherry blossom season with a Greenhat Gin, sake, cucumber, and lime cocktail at rooftop bar Wild Days and a Civic Vodka and matcha-filled “Wabi Sabi” at the Allegory speakeasy (all $14 each).

 

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 900-8416
(202) 900-8416
Sakura
Eaton/official photo

Cherroni at Stable DC

1324 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

The Swiss restaurant on H Street NE makes a cherry negroni ($11) filled with local and Swiss spirits, including one made in-house by co-owner Silvan Kraemer. The cocktail comes with Green Hat Summer Gin, Cerasum Apertivo, its own Atlas Roeteli Cherry Liquor, and Kina L’Aero d’or Aperitif wine from Switzerland. It’s served through April 14 with a classic block ice cube and garnished with a cherry and orange peel.

1324 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 733-4604
(202) 733-4604
Cherroni
Stable/official photo

Philosopher’s Walk at The Next Whisky Bar

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

The retro whisky bar inside the Watergate hotel stirs Toki Suntory Japanese Whisky, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Matcha Green Tea Kit Kat syrup, lemon, pink lemon whip, and apple blossom flower. The name doubles a history lesson, referring to the pedestrian path that follows a cherry tree-lined canal between zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto. Influential 20th-century Japanese philosopher Kitaro Nishida is said to have walked it for daily meditation.

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 827-1600
(202) 827-1600
Philosopher’s Walk
Watergate/official photo

Bing and Blossom at Mastro's Steakhouse

600 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

The downtown steakhouse unites Calyx gin, Italicus “Rosolio di Bergamotto” liqueur, and lemon over ice with a splash of Fever-Tree tonic. The drink is garnished with a Luxardo cherry and mint ($19).  

600 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-1500
(202) 347-1500
Bing and Blossom
Mastro/official photo

Flowers on the Roof at Whiskey Charlie

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Inspired by the bar’s scenic waterfront location at the Canopy Hotel, this refreshing cocktail features D.C.’s Green Hat gin and Lillet Blanc, garnished with berries and rosemary. It’s available at the Wharf from March 20 through April 14 ($14).

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 488-2500
(202) 488-2500
Flowers of the Roof
Whiskey Charlie/official photo

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