Toki Underground’s Calpina Colada ($12).

Over a Dozen Late Summer Cocktails to Sip Right Now in D.C.

Lots of rum, vodka, and seasonal ingredients are taking center stage in drinks across town

by Tierney Plumb Aug 14, 2018, 2:05pm EDT

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Toki Underground’s Calpina Colada ($12).

| Savor PR/official photo

by Tierney Plumb Aug 14, 2018, 2:05pm EDT

A sea of new and existing D.C. bars recently unveiled a range of refreshing elixirs designed to combat the city’s hottest and stickiest months.

The highlighted drinks below are worth the slurp or splurge, because they’re brand new, have a creative and funky presentation, or they celebrate the tail end of summer via super-seasonal pineapple, rhubarb, and peach flavors. And more bars are hopping on the plastic ban bandwagon via lots of paper and metal straws — with many deleting the sucking vessel altogether.

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.

Note: The featured bars and restaurants are not ranked. The map is arranged geographically from north to south.

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

Piña Colada at Little Havana

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This quintessential summertime staple ($14), comprised of pineapple juice, coconut cream, and aged rum, is served out of a chilled and carved pineapple at this days-old Cuban restaurant in Petworth.

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3704 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

(202) 758-2127

The Mint Lemonade & More at The Green Zone

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This $13 frosty green concoction is the best seller so far at the weeks-old Middle Eastern drinking haven in Adams Morgan. Owner Chris Hassaan Francke tells Eater he estimates more than 1,000 have been made to date behind its colorful bar, with fresh mint, lemon, and vodka (customers can also sub in gin).

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2226 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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The Mint Lemonade & More at The Green Zone.

Malacca (Peach) Iced Tea at Service Bar DC

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This tried-and-true compact cocktail bar’s tall drink of the summer comes stocked with Tanqueray Malacca gin, syrup made from local peaches, rose tea, and lemon ($12).

926-928 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 462-7232

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Malacca (Peach) Iced Tea at Service Bar DC.

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The Vodka at 600T

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Don’t be fooled by the generic names (think: Rye and Champagne) of 600T’s drinks; the subterranean bar put lots of thought into each for its first summer menu in Shaw. The Vodka ($12) is a medley of Wodka vodka, strawberry, chocolate mint, and lime.

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600 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(757) 646-6282

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Southern Butterfly at Gravitas

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The Ivy City newcomer’s decorative seasonal drink ($14) is filled with Vida Mezcal, Altos Reposado, strawberry, rhubarb, walnut orgeat, lime, and magnolia vinegar.

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 763-7942

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Colada Maximus at Doi Moi

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Tiki buff Lukas B. Smith’s first order of business since taking over Doi Moi’s bar program was putting a frozen Cotton & Reed white rum cocktail on the menu, packed with pineapple and galangal spices. At $9, it relatively cheap for D.C. prices. Smith is weeks away from revealing what he’s got in store for downstairs sister spot 2 Birds 1 Stone — including its new name.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 733-5131

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The Steve Banananon at Truxton Inn

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Bar man Brian Nixon just brought back his month-long scavenger hunt, with a dozen D.C. bars in on the action. This $13 conversation starter (Hamilton Jamaican Gold, Giffard Banane du Brésil, and aztec chocolate bitters) comes in a specially-made ceramic political mug. Spot it and others (think: Obamamama) also at Capitol Hill’s Politiki and Dupont Circle’s McClellan’s Retreat.

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251 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 733-4952

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The Steve Banananon can be slurped at three bars throughout D.C.

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Peter’s Rum Punch at Spark at Engine Company 12

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This strong tropical cocktail ($12), an ode to Spark chef Peter Prime, contains not one, but two, rums: Below Deck’s Silver and Spiced labels, mixed with brown sugar simple syrup and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Prime’s playful Caribbean-themed restaurant takes “island time” seriously, slashing the punch’s price in half for happy hour.

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1626 North Capitol St NW, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 299-9128

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Trollop at Chaplin's Restaurant

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This Shaw ramen bar, a popular meeting ground for late-night industry folks, makes a super boozy cocktail featuring Sagamore rye, Martell single distillery cognac, R&W apricot liquor, absinthe, and bitters.

1501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 644-8806

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The Trollop cocktail at Chaplin’s Restaurant.

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Summer Clarity at Blue Duck Tavern

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This simple $18 elixir at the Michelin-starred hotel restaurant could be confused as a “healthy” drink, pairing low-calorie Patron tequila with spa water (which is also infused into its sizable ice cube bobbing inside).

1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037

(202) 419-6755

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Hoffman House Fizz at Morris American Bar

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This glamorous cocktail bar’s August lineup includes one with gin, lemon, orange, maraschino, cream, egg white, and soda ($12). FYI: Weekday happy hour launched for the first time this month, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(833) 366-7747

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Hoffman House Fizz at Morris American Bar.

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Calpina Colada at Toki Underground

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Toki’s hit summertime order ($12) comes with Calpico (a Japanese soft drink), Plantation dark and white rum, pineapple juice, lime, and coconut cream. Toki, whose general manager Olivier Caillabet holds a top degree in primate conservation, deleted plastic draws from the equation this year.

1234 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 388-3086

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WC Mule at Whiskey Charlie

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Moscow mules in copper mugs screams summer, and this rooftop bar pairs its version ($13) with stunning views of the Wharf’s waterfront. The team makes its own strawberry mint shrub for the refreshing drink, which also features vodka and fresh ginger.

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

(202) 488-2500

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Piña Colada at Little Havana

The Mint Lemonade & More at The Green Zone

Malacca (Peach) Iced Tea at Service Bar DC

The Vodka at 600T

Southern Butterfly at Gravitas

Colada Maximus at Doi Moi

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The Steve Banananon at Truxton Inn

Peter’s Rum Punch at Spark at Engine Company 12

Trollop at Chaplin's Restaurant

Summer Clarity at Blue Duck Tavern

Hoffman House Fizz at Morris American Bar

Calpina Colada at Toki Underground

WC Mule at Whiskey Charlie

More in Maps

Piña Colada at Little Havana

The Mint Lemonade & More at The Green Zone

Malacca (Peach) Iced Tea at Service Bar DC

The Vodka at 600T

Southern Butterfly at Gravitas

Colada Maximus at Doi Moi

The Steve Banananon at Truxton Inn

Peter’s Rum Punch at Spark at Engine Company 12

Trollop at Chaplin's Restaurant

Summer Clarity at Blue Duck Tavern

Hoffman House Fizz at Morris American Bar

Calpina Colada at Toki Underground

WC Mule at Whiskey Charlie

Related Maps

All sharing options for: Over a Dozen Late Summer Cocktails to Sip Right Now in D.C.

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