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

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Jack Rose just unveiled more than 20 new fall cocktails last week.
Jack Rose just unveiled more than 20 new fall cocktails last week.
Jack Rose/official photo

13 Fall Cocktails to Try Right Now

Bring on the spice and steam

by Tierney Plumb Updated
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Jack Rose just unveiled more than 20 new fall cocktails last week.
| Jack Rose/official photo
by Tierney Plumb Updated

As the leaves fall and the weather cools, D.C. bars have been rolling out comforting cocktails engineered to warm up guests. The drinks below are worth a taste because they’re new, they’re presented creatively, or they celebrate fall flavors by packing in ingredients like pumpkin puree or dehydrated fruits and cinnamon.

For our guide to D.C.’s hottest new bars, check out this list.

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No Holier Temple at Jug & Table

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Adams Morgan’s resident wine bar has a wine-forward cocktail for the fall. It’s made with Humbolt Redwood Rye, moscato, and Reagan’s orange bitters ($13). A staff favorite also just joined the lineup: a $6 “Teeny Tini” shot-sized martini made with Civic Vodka or Brooklyn Gin and Oscar 687 Vermouth.

2446 18th St NW 1st floor, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-7663
(202) 232-7663
No Holier Temple at Jug & Table
Jug & Table/official photo

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Bonfires, Uggs, and Flannels at Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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This destination whiskey bar also knows how to work with vodka. This seasonal elixir comes with Lapsang Souchong Belvedere, amaro montenegro, arbol chile, orange, lemon, whey, and firewater bitters ($14).

2007 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 588-7388
(202) 588-7388
Bonfires, Uggs, and Flannels at Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Jack Rose/official photo

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Tall, Dark and Frothy at Service Bar DC

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The postage stamp-sized bar in Shaw that just turned 3 perks up regulars with a cold concoction of coffee, coconut, Brugal XV rum, armagnac, and bitters ($15).

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 462-7232
(202) 462-7232
Tall, Dark and Frothy at Service Bar DC
@dd_mcc/Service Bar

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Pumpkin Spice at El Techo

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Shaw’s newly enclosed rooftop respite warms up guests with a hot mug of fresh pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and cream, all spiked with tequila or mezcal ($12).

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 836-4270
(202) 836-4270
Pumpkin Spice at El Techo
El Techo/official photo

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Hendricks Spicy Gimlet at HopScotch Bar & Grill

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Bloomingdale’s board game bar puts a spicy spin on a gimlet ($12). Another playful take on a classic is its potent Black Russian that’s served without cream.

1837 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 853-9115
(202) 853-9115
Hendricks Spicy Gimlet at HopScotch Bar & Grill
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

El Bastardo at The Royal

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A riff on a Suffering Bastard comes with Colombian rum, gin, ancho chile-infused maple, Colombian herb guascas tincture, and bitters, garnished with cured and smoked apricot that’s akin to vegan candied bacon ($13).

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-7777
(202) 332-7777
El Bastardo at The Royal
The Royal/official photo

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Carbonated Old Fashioned at Last Call

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Mixtress Gina Chersevani’s new dive-ish bar in the Union Market district makes a carbonated Old Fashioned on draft for just $6. Her bubbly spin on the classic is inspired by the ‘50s trend of adding club soda.

1301 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Carbonated Old Fashioned at Last Call
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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Sour De La Paz at Bourbon Steak

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The decade-old, ritzy lounge tucked inside the Four Seasons serves a Sour De La Paz featuring Singani 63, Bolivian Tannat, yellow chartreuse, lemon, ginger, and peach bitters ($18).

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Sour De La Paz at Bourbon Steak
Bourbon Steak/official photo

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Tyranny at Allegory

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The dark, signless bar hidden off Eaton DC’s lobby serves a garnish-heavy elixir packed with Don Q Anejo, Batavia Arrack, Aperol, maraschino, absinthe, grapefruit, and lime ($16). The popular order doubles as a scorpion bowl that serves four to six ($60).

1201 K St NW #1, Washington, DC 20005
Tyranny at Allegory
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

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Barrel-Aged Cognac at Kingbird

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The Watergate hotel’s new barrel-aged cocktail program requires a month of prep work. The time-intensive cognac variety is a blend of Martell VSOP Red Barrel, walnut liqueur, Nola Coffee liqueur, and chocolate bitters.

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(866) 709-6910
(866) 709-6910
Barrel-Aged Cognac at Kingbird
Kingbird/official photo

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Endless Summer at POV

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The W’s rooftop bar clearly wants summer to stay put, having just released this elixir with Martell Blue Swift, St. Germain, lemon, and tiki bitters.

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 661-2400
(202) 661-2400
Endless Summer at POV
POV/official photo

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Imli at Punjab Grill

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The detail-oriented cocktail program at downtown’s elaborate Indian restaurant slings a cool glass of Espolon Reposado tequila, Old Forester bourbon, Grand Marnier, tamarindo, persimmon, and cinnamon ($15).

427 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 813-3004
(202) 813-3004
Imli at Punjab Grill
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

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Cielo Rojo at Mi Vida Restaurante

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The modern Mexican eatery’s seasonal margarita, designed for sipping while overlooking fall foliage across the Potomac, features Chamucos Blanco, spicy pasilla-infused cranberry, lime, and chile salt ($14).

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 516-4656
(202) 516-4656
Cielo Rojo at Mi Vida Restaurante
Darlin Kulla/Mi Vida

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No Holier Temple at Jug & Table

2446 18th St NW 1st floor, Washington, DC 20009

Adams Morgan’s resident wine bar has a wine-forward cocktail for the fall. It’s made with Humbolt Redwood Rye, moscato, and Reagan’s orange bitters ($13). A staff favorite also just joined the lineup: a $6 “Teeny Tini” shot-sized martini made with Civic Vodka or Brooklyn Gin and Oscar 687 Vermouth.

2446 18th St NW 1st floor, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-7663
(202) 232-7663
No Holier Temple at Jug & Table
Jug & Table/official photo

Bonfires, Uggs, and Flannels at Jack Rose Dining Saloon

2007 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

This destination whiskey bar also knows how to work with vodka. This seasonal elixir comes with Lapsang Souchong Belvedere, amaro montenegro, arbol chile, orange, lemon, whey, and firewater bitters ($14).

2007 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 588-7388
(202) 588-7388
Bonfires, Uggs, and Flannels at Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Jack Rose/official photo

Tall, Dark and Frothy at Service Bar DC

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The postage stamp-sized bar in Shaw that just turned 3 perks up regulars with a cold concoction of coffee, coconut, Brugal XV rum, armagnac, and bitters ($15).

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 462-7232
(202) 462-7232
Tall, Dark and Frothy at Service Bar DC
@dd_mcc/Service Bar

Pumpkin Spice at El Techo

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Shaw’s newly enclosed rooftop respite warms up guests with a hot mug of fresh pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and cream, all spiked with tequila or mezcal ($12).

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 836-4270
(202) 836-4270
Pumpkin Spice at El Techo
El Techo/official photo

Hendricks Spicy Gimlet at HopScotch Bar & Grill

1837 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Bloomingdale’s board game bar puts a spicy spin on a gimlet ($12). Another playful take on a classic is its potent Black Russian that’s served without cream.

1837 1st St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 853-9115
(202) 853-9115
Hendricks Spicy Gimlet at HopScotch Bar & Grill
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

El Bastardo at The Royal

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

A riff on a Suffering Bastard comes with Colombian rum, gin, ancho chile-infused maple, Colombian herb guascas tincture, and bitters, garnished with cured and smoked apricot that’s akin to vegan candied bacon ($13).

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 332-7777
(202) 332-7777
El Bastardo at The Royal
The Royal/official photo

Carbonated Old Fashioned at Last Call

1301 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Mixtress Gina Chersevani’s new dive-ish bar in the Union Market district makes a carbonated Old Fashioned on draft for just $6. Her bubbly spin on the classic is inspired by the ‘50s trend of adding club soda.

1301 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Carbonated Old Fashioned at Last Call
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

Sour De La Paz at Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

The decade-old, ritzy lounge tucked inside the Four Seasons serves a Sour De La Paz featuring Singani 63, Bolivian Tannat, yellow chartreuse, lemon, ginger, and peach bitters ($18).

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Sour De La Paz at Bourbon Steak
Bourbon Steak/official photo

Tyranny at Allegory

1201 K St NW #1, Washington, DC 20005

The dark, signless bar hidden off Eaton DC’s lobby serves a garnish-heavy elixir packed with Don Q Anejo, Batavia Arrack, Aperol, maraschino, absinthe, grapefruit, and lime ($16). The popular order doubles as a scorpion bowl that serves four to six ($60).

1201 K St NW #1, Washington, DC 20005
Tyranny at Allegory
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Barrel-Aged Cognac at Kingbird

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

The Watergate hotel’s new barrel-aged cocktail program requires a month of prep work. The time-intensive cognac variety is a blend of Martell VSOP Red Barrel, walnut liqueur, Nola Coffee liqueur, and chocolate bitters.

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(866) 709-6910
(866) 709-6910
Barrel-Aged Cognac at Kingbird
Kingbird/official photo

Endless Summer at POV

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

The W’s rooftop bar clearly wants summer to stay put, having just released this elixir with Martell Blue Swift, St. Germain, lemon, and tiki bitters.

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 661-2400
(202) 661-2400
Endless Summer at POV
POV/official photo

Imli at Punjab Grill

427 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

The detail-oriented cocktail program at downtown’s elaborate Indian restaurant slings a cool glass of Espolon Reposado tequila, Old Forester bourbon, Grand Marnier, tamarindo, persimmon, and cinnamon ($15).

427 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 813-3004
(202) 813-3004
Imli at Punjab Grill
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Cielo Rojo at Mi Vida Restaurante

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024

The modern Mexican eatery’s seasonal margarita, designed for sipping while overlooking fall foliage across the Potomac, features Chamucos Blanco, spicy pasilla-infused cranberry, lime, and chile salt ($14).

98 District Square SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 516-4656
(202) 516-4656
Cielo Rojo at Mi Vida Restaurante
Darlin Kulla/Mi Vida

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