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12 Winter-Ready Cocktails to Try Right Now in D.C.

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The Smoked Old Fashioned at Quadrant Bar & Lounge
Photo: Ritz-Carlton

D.C.’s Top Cocktails, Winter 2018

The single best drinks around

by Tierney Plumb Updated
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The Smoked Old Fashioned at Quadrant Bar & Lounge
| Photo: Ritz-Carlton
by Tierney Plumb Updated

There are endless options around town when it comes to scoring refreshing cocktails.

These dozen or so drinks stand out of the pack because they are either brand new, have a funky presentation (think: collectible bar ware), or the starring ingredients may just be the new trend to taste before anyone else.

For our guide to D.C.’s hottest new bars, check out this list. For a broader view of the drinking landscape, check out this list of essential bars.

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Becky Just Got Her Hair Did at Hank's Cocktail Bar

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Hank’s beverage director Jess Weinstein has concocted a drink that combines both summer and winter vibes. There’s Absolut elyx, lemon, pumpkin seed and nuts, nutmeg, cinnamon, and egg white.

819 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 290-1808
(202) 290-1808
Becky Just Got Her Hair Did cocktail at Hank’s Cocktail Bar.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Also featured in:

Bunny Slopes at Hazel

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The comforting cocktail, great for guzzling while watching the Winter Olympics, is made with fluffy coconut eggnog, sherry, C&R Despacchino, and a coconut flake rim ($13). 

808 V St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-4980
(202) 847-4980
Bunny Slopes
Photo: Hazel

Also featured in:

Opus 9, No. 2 at Nocturne

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This Shaw newcomer, tucked below its sibling Sugar Shack, pushes a cocktail-tasting format (with a late-night a la carte option coming soon). This bright idea includes mezcal, avocado suze, honey, and lime.

1932 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Opus 9, No. 2 at Nocturne.
Photo: Nocturne

Sake at 600t

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The new-ish subterranean cocktail lair, hidden from the hubbub of Florida Avenue NW, has a list of straightforward cocktails that pair well with the bar’s unpretentious wood cabin atmosphere. The simply-named Sake ($12) includes lemon, Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo sake, plum wine, brut, Cynar, and Copertino Italian red wine.

600 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Sake at 600t.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Your Number at Left Door

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This sexy, secretive, and unmarked spot slings gems like this one, featuring Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, Sfumato Amaro, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Underberg, and cacao ($16).

1345 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 734-8576
(202) 734-8576
Your Number cocktail at Left Door.
Photo: Mickey Perrigo

Also featured in:

Call of the Siren at Siren

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The Robert Wiedmaier restaurant’s namesake cocktail is served with rosemary and basil-infused vodka, a splash of cava, lime juice, lavender syrup, and cucumber ($14). Also spot the drink on its new Sunday buffet brunch menu.

1515 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 521-7171
(202) 521-7171
Call of the Siren cocktail at Siren.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Does Ginger Make This Healthy? at the Fairmont

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Head to the recently-modernized hotel bar for a high ball will High West “Campfire” Whiskey, ginger honey syrup sourced from its rooftop bees, lemon, angostura bitters, and an orange peel ($16).

 

2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-2400
(202) 429-2400
Does Ginger Make This Healthy?
Photo: Diana Bulger

The Smoked Old Fashioned at Quadrant Bar & Lounge

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This theatrical drink hits all the senses, made with handmade cherry bitters, Knob Creek Bourbon, and a smoked orange peel with a brandy cherry garnish. The dramatic prep work includes igniting a cedar plank and extinguishing the flame by placing the glass over it, allowing the glass to fill with smoke and absorb the taste.

1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 835-0500
(202) 835-0500
The Smoked Old Fashioned
Photo: Ritz-Carlton

Also featured in:

Apple Cobbler at Bourbon Steak

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Head bartender Torrence Swain’s seasonal smash includes Rujero Signani, Laird’s applejack, apple butter syrup, and fresh lemon juice, served in a copper julep with an apple slice.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Apple Cobbler cocktail at Bourbon Steak.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Also featured in:

Ginger Blossom at Karma Modern Indian

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The new Mount Vernon Triangle eatery, which gives a portion of diners’ tabs back to charity, makes a dainty concoction of Cazadores Reposado, St. George Absinthe, Domaine de Canton, and Peychaund Bitters.

611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-0393
(202) 898-0393
Ginger Blossom cocktail at Karma Modern Indian.
Photo by Joy Asico

Also featured in:

Gin & Tonic at Del Mar

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The Spanish know their gin and tonics and this Wharf newcomer is no exception--serving up a trio of types mixed by impeccably-dressed bartenders. The Estrellas version comes with Tanqueray n.10, ginger, lime, tonic water, star anise, and cardamom ($15). The classic is $10 at happy hour.

791 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 525-1402
(202) 525-1402
Gin and tonic
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Garam Masala Gin & Tonic at Rasa

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This gin and tonic comes on draft and is the most inexpensive cocktail on this list ($7.50). Patrons at the month-old Indian fast-casual eatery can skip the booze via a young coconut, branded in the Rasa logo, for $5.

1247 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 804-5678
(202) 804-5678
Assorted food and drinks at Rasa.
Photo: Rasa

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Becky Just Got Her Hair Did at Hank's Cocktail Bar

819 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011

Hank’s beverage director Jess Weinstein has concocted a drink that combines both summer and winter vibes. There’s Absolut elyx, lemon, pumpkin seed and nuts, nutmeg, cinnamon, and egg white.

819 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 290-1808
(202) 290-1808
Becky Just Got Her Hair Did cocktail at Hank’s Cocktail Bar.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Bunny Slopes at Hazel

808 V St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The comforting cocktail, great for guzzling while watching the Winter Olympics, is made with fluffy coconut eggnog, sherry, C&R Despacchino, and a coconut flake rim ($13). 

808 V St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-4980
(202) 847-4980
Bunny Slopes
Photo: Hazel

Opus 9, No. 2 at Nocturne

1932 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This Shaw newcomer, tucked below its sibling Sugar Shack, pushes a cocktail-tasting format (with a late-night a la carte option coming soon). This bright idea includes mezcal, avocado suze, honey, and lime.

1932 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Opus 9, No. 2 at Nocturne.
Photo: Nocturne

Sake at 600t

600 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The new-ish subterranean cocktail lair, hidden from the hubbub of Florida Avenue NW, has a list of straightforward cocktails that pair well with the bar’s unpretentious wood cabin atmosphere. The simply-named Sake ($12) includes lemon, Hakutsuru Junmai Ginjo sake, plum wine, brut, Cynar, and Copertino Italian red wine.

600 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Sake at 600t.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Your Number at Left Door

1345 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009

This sexy, secretive, and unmarked spot slings gems like this one, featuring Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, Sfumato Amaro, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Underberg, and cacao ($16).

1345 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 734-8576
(202) 734-8576
Your Number cocktail at Left Door.
Photo: Mickey Perrigo

Call of the Siren at Siren

1515 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

The Robert Wiedmaier restaurant’s namesake cocktail is served with rosemary and basil-infused vodka, a splash of cava, lime juice, lavender syrup, and cucumber ($14). Also spot the drink on its new Sunday buffet brunch menu.

1515 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 521-7171
(202) 521-7171
Call of the Siren cocktail at Siren.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Does Ginger Make This Healthy? at the Fairmont

2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037

Head to the recently-modernized hotel bar for a high ball will High West “Campfire” Whiskey, ginger honey syrup sourced from its rooftop bees, lemon, angostura bitters, and an orange peel ($16).

 

2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-2400
(202) 429-2400
Does Ginger Make This Healthy?
Photo: Diana Bulger

The Smoked Old Fashioned at Quadrant Bar & Lounge

1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037

This theatrical drink hits all the senses, made with handmade cherry bitters, Knob Creek Bourbon, and a smoked orange peel with a brandy cherry garnish. The dramatic prep work includes igniting a cedar plank and extinguishing the flame by placing the glass over it, allowing the glass to fill with smoke and absorb the taste.

1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 835-0500
(202) 835-0500
The Smoked Old Fashioned
Photo: Ritz-Carlton

Apple Cobbler at Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Head bartender Torrence Swain’s seasonal smash includes Rujero Signani, Laird’s applejack, apple butter syrup, and fresh lemon juice, served in a copper julep with an apple slice.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Apple Cobbler cocktail at Bourbon Steak.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Ginger Blossom at Karma Modern Indian

611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The new Mount Vernon Triangle eatery, which gives a portion of diners’ tabs back to charity, makes a dainty concoction of Cazadores Reposado, St. George Absinthe, Domaine de Canton, and Peychaund Bitters.

611 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-0393
(202) 898-0393
Ginger Blossom cocktail at Karma Modern Indian.
Photo by Joy Asico

Gin & Tonic at Del Mar

791 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024

The Spanish know their gin and tonics and this Wharf newcomer is no exception--serving up a trio of types mixed by impeccably-dressed bartenders. The Estrellas version comes with Tanqueray n.10, ginger, lime, tonic water, star anise, and cardamom ($15). The classic is $10 at happy hour.

791 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 525-1402
(202) 525-1402
Gin and tonic
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Garam Masala Gin & Tonic at Rasa

1247 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This gin and tonic comes on draft and is the most inexpensive cocktail on this list ($7.50). Patrons at the month-old Indian fast-casual eatery can skip the booze via a young coconut, branded in the Rasa logo, for $5.

1247 First St SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 804-5678
(202) 804-5678
Assorted food and drinks at Rasa.
Photo: Rasa

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