12 Seasonal Cocktails to Sip This Spring

Lots of rum, amaro, and pomegranate star in drinks across town

by Tierney Plumb Apr 3, 2019, 1:13pm EDT

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La Mexicana at Buena Vida Clarendon.

| Buena Vida/official photo

by Tierney Plumb Apr 3, 2019, 1:13pm EDT

As patios and rooftops begin to open up for the spring, a gamut of local bars and restaurants have begun serving cocktails full of rum, amaro, and seasonal fruits and veggies.

This list highlights drinks that are super new, have a creative presentation, or feature light flavors — like ginger and pomegranate — that are designed for warmer weather.

For our guide to D.C.’s hottest new bars, check out this list. And for a broader view of the drinking landscape, click this list of essential bars. For time-sensitive cherry blossom drinks, go here.

Don’t see a personal favorite on the list? Sound off in the comments or shoot us an email (dc@eater.com).

Prince of Pankot at La Pop

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Lined with leather-bound books and Afghan rugs, the new cocktail bar underneath Lapis Afghan Bistro kicked off cocktail service in February. Spring picks (dropping Thursday, April 4) include a tiki-style drink with curried London dry gin, pomegranate liqueur, lime, ginger, and orgeat ($13).

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1847 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 999-6216

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U.R.R. at The Gibson

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The decade-old U Street speakeasy fills this seasonal flute with Plantation 3 Star Rum, Don Ciccio and Figli rhubarb amaro, sparkling wine, and ginger for a little kick.

2009 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 232-2156

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The Zombie at Service Bar DC

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Use both hands to hoist Service Bar’s potent ode to the islands. It’s packed with 15-year rum, Jamaican rum, Menehune Pineapple overproof rum, falernum, absinthe, green Chartreuse, Combier D’Orange, Luxardo Maraschino, grenadine, fresh pineapple, lime, grapefruit juices, and angostura ($21; a supersized group guzzling order runs $64).

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 462-7232

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Black Star Sapphire at Bresca

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This intricate drink, one of the Michelin-rated restaurant’s new Auroral Borealis-themed offerings, is inspired by the starry reflection when light hits a sapphire. It’s got Cocchi Americano, Amaro Braulio, Combier triple sec, byrrh, sapphire blend bitters, and Indian tonic ($15). A fancy orange swath is the garnish.

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1906 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 518-7926

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Our Place In the Sun at Doi Moi

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Hank’s Cocktail Bar alum Jess Weinstein consulted on new spring cocktails at this sleek day-to-night Logan Circle eatery, integrating ingredients chef Johanna Hellrigl uses across the reinvented Southeast Asian menu. This $15 collab comes with Hennessy Cognac, 12-year Highland Park Scotch, passion fruit, orgeat made from wok-toasted cashews, Ardbeg scotch, and banana chip.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 733-5131

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Let’s Go To Vegas! at McClellan's Retreat

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The Dupont Circle watering hole just released a new lineup themed around tax return splurges. This Sin City drink, served chilled, comes with Hendrick’s Orbium, Hayman’s Sloe Gin, house-made mango vinegar, and simple syrup ($13).

2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 265-6270

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Let’s Go To Vegas! at McClellan’s Retreat

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Zephyr at Zeppelin

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The nucleus of Shaw’s new two-story sushi, karaoke, and yakitori bar is a rare highball machine built into the laser-cut steel bar that’s responsible for making many cocktails ($8 to $14). The machine’s magnetic agitators constantly swirl the liquid in the keg to produce a balanced drink. This electric-colored option comes with Haku Vodka, Pimms, pandan (a tropical herb), cucumber, ginger, lime, and baller bubbles.

1544 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 506-1068

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The Pimm Rose at Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill-Georgetown

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The stone-lined Georgetown respite along the banks of the C&O Canal mixes Pimm’s, Rujero Singani, elderflower liqueur, and rose syrup ($11).

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in Canal Square, 1054 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 470-6606

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The Pimm Rose at Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill-Georgetown

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Spring Old Fashioned at RPM Italian

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High West Double Rye, orange Demerara sugar, and birch bark bitters swirl around in this potent high ball at downtown’s Italian mainstay ($15). And a new trio of spritzes ripe for sipping on its spacious 60-seat patio — simply dubbed “R”, “P”, and “M” — are filled with co-founder and TV personality Giuliana Rancic’s favorite prosecco.

650 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 204-4480

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Dracula’s Breakfast at Mirabelle

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The reinvented French stunner’s frothy new cocktail is modeled after a Ramos Gin Fizz (but a little fruitier). It’s got Sipsmith London Dry Gin, Campari, blood orange, Count Chocula cream, egg white, and soda water ($19). Lead bartender Zach Faden also just released an effervescent vodka cocktail on draft, called Ticket to Ride.

900 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 506-3833

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What’s Up, Doc? at The Smith

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This crisp cocktail, served at the American brasserie’s dual D.C. locations, is centered around fresh vegetable flavors made with aquavit, carrot-ginger-tarragon shrub, tangerine, lemon, and dill ($13.50).

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 868-4900

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La Mexicana at Buena Vida Restaurant Clarendon

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The restaurant group behind Ambar just unveiled this towering Mexican food complex across the street, and the second-story Buena Vida restaurant has a rolling cocktail cart. This sweet-and-sour concoction has Oaxacan rum, soursop purée, lemon, agave nectar, pomegranate seeds ($11).