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Brine
Brine
R. Lopez

Drink Up in D.C. With These Perfect Punches

Drink from a bowl or just get a glass

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Brine
| R. Lopez

There's a communal feel to sipping on a glass of punch. It is in many ways the original party drink, and bars have begun to rediscover the art of crafting a great punch. It's also an ideal option for happy hours and lazy afternoons.

The specifics are up for interpretation. Punches tend to be rum-based, but there are plenty of drinks based on whiskey and even gin. But true punches follow a standard ratio of ingredients. It's usually one part sour, two parts sweet, and three parts booze. It's not uncommon for bars to craft punches in batches, with recipes changing depending on everything from the weather or the bartender's taste. The result is a smooth cocktail that's balanced in flavor and has just the right amount of bite.

From swank cocktail bars to neighborhood hangouts, here are a dozen area spots to settle in with a cup or bowl of a great punch this summer.

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2 Birds 1 Stone

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Head to this cocktail bar beneath Doi Moi and sip on the $10 punch du jour which, naturally, rotates each day according to the whims of the bar staff.

Alfie's

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Alfie's serves up a rotating patio punch for $5 to wash down the kitchen's sweat-enducing Thai cuisine. It makes a limited amount each day though, so arrive early for the best chance at a glass or two.

All Set Restaurant & Bar

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Guests who stop in during happy hour can score some New England vibes and $7 glasses of house punch. The special menu is available from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 3 p.m. to close on Sunday.

The punch at this seafood restaurant in Mosaic Distrcit changes daily but the formula sticks to the traditional combination of sweet, sour, and booze. It sells for $9 for a four ounce serving.

Hank's Oyster Bar

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This neighborhood seafood spot mixes up a daily punch during happy hour for $5. Swing by Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 3 p.m. until close.

Lincoln

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The $49 Emancipation Punch No. 6 here is truly a group affair. The recipe is packed with Pimms, Greenhat seasonal gin, green tea, cucumber syrup, lemon sour, and lavender bitters.

Mulebone

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The Southern-inspired drink list here currently features two seasonal punches for $10 per glass and $45 for a pitcher. Or come for brunch and take advantage of bottomless punch for $12. The bourbon punch has peach, mint and lemon juice. The bar's bubble punch mixes white rum, Batavia arrak, pineapple, lemon, and a sparkling wine float.

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

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Check out the chalkboard for the daily punch option. At $6 a pop, it's worth a roll of the dice to taste what the bar has concocted.

On the list of "Thallytails" is a daily punch for $12. It's mixed in small batches so when it's gone, it's gone.

The Columbia Room

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The outdoor punch garden is just one section of this upscale cocktail bar. The expertly-crafted punches are between $14 and $15 and range from whiskey-focused, to gin-based, and everything in between.

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The Fainting Goat

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Punches are a relatively affordable option at this socialable watering hole, with four seasonal options on the menu at $9 each. Among the choices is the fruity and refreshing Cara Cara punch, which blends Irish whiskey, oranges, and hibiscus.

2 Birds 1 Stone

Head to this cocktail bar beneath Doi Moi and sip on the $10 punch du jour which, naturally, rotates each day according to the whims of the bar staff.

Alfie's

Alfie's serves up a rotating patio punch for $5 to wash down the kitchen's sweat-enducing Thai cuisine. It makes a limited amount each day though, so arrive early for the best chance at a glass or two.

All Set Restaurant & Bar

Guests who stop in during happy hour can score some New England vibes and $7 glasses of house punch. The special menu is available from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 3 p.m. to close on Sunday.

Brine

The punch at this seafood restaurant in Mosaic Distrcit changes daily but the formula sticks to the traditional combination of sweet, sour, and booze. It sells for $9 for a four ounce serving.

Hank's Oyster Bar

This neighborhood seafood spot mixes up a daily punch during happy hour for $5. Swing by Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 3 p.m. until close.

Lincoln

The $49 Emancipation Punch No. 6 here is truly a group affair. The recipe is packed with Pimms, Greenhat seasonal gin, green tea, cucumber syrup, lemon sour, and lavender bitters.

Mulebone

The Southern-inspired drink list here currently features two seasonal punches for $10 per glass and $45 for a pitcher. Or come for brunch and take advantage of bottomless punch for $12. The bourbon punch has peach, mint and lemon juice. The bar's bubble punch mixes white rum, Batavia arrak, pineapple, lemon, and a sparkling wine float.

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

Check out the chalkboard for the daily punch option. At $6 a pop, it's worth a roll of the dice to taste what the bar has concocted.

Thally

On the list of "Thallytails" is a daily punch for $12. It's mixed in small batches so when it's gone, it's gone.

The Columbia Room

The outdoor punch garden is just one section of this upscale cocktail bar. The expertly-crafted punches are between $14 and $15 and range from whiskey-focused, to gin-based, and everything in between.

Official

The Fainting Goat

Punches are a relatively affordable option at this socialable watering hole, with four seasonal options on the menu at $9 each. Among the choices is the fruity and refreshing Cara Cara punch, which blends Irish whiskey, oranges, and hibiscus.

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