Fans of Washington, D.C.’s established cocktail scene is about to get an indulgent “jolt” of transition to the cold months with drink and food pairings that are turning up the heat on creativity and potency. During D.C. Cocktail Week, a collaboration between the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), association sponsors and local restaurants, bars and cocktail lounges, decadent libations will be paired with tasty bites at tempting prices.
Restaurants and bars in the D.C. local market have long-known that outstanding beer, wine and cocktail programs can be centerpieces of a socially-oriented restaurant experience and lead to consistent, steady after-work and late-night business. During D.C. Cocktail Week, November 13-19, 2017, cocktails will be the focus of this celebration of the area’s best adult drinks, showcasing bitters, aperitifs, trendy flavors, fresh juices, spices, the finest spirits and more.
Here is a sampling of some of what is being offered during D.C. Cocktail Week, powered by RAMW.
Gin
Indique is offering a Gin + Garam Masala Tonic as its featured drink. Garam masala is a traditional mixture of spices that are popular in South Asian countries, including India and Pakistan. This drink is sure to elevate the temperature (literally, if you follow tradition) and prepare the body for the upcoming winter season.
Indique, 3512 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20008
Mezcal and Tequila
In the spotlight at Graffiato is the Im-pear-ative cocktail—a heavenly blend of Joven Mezcal, pear, lime, and cinnamon. The pairing here at the Mike Isabella restaurant is with agnolotti pasta, traditional pasta dough filled with mascarpone and roasted squash, mixed with fall spices and brown butter served with fresh sage, cippolini onions and roasted hazelnuts. $20.
Graffiato, 707 6th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20001
Quarter + Glory’s Sundown is the featured cocktail there. It’s made with Cotton & Reed Despaccino, Tequila Blanco, pineapple, cinnamon, triple sec, finished off with a float of Montenegro Amaro. The pairing is Sundown + Chicken Sliders. $15.
Quarter + Glory, 2017 14th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20009
Pisco
A drink to pique one’s interest is definitely the Roasted Beet & Rosemary Chilcano from Nazca Mochica restaurant. It’s described as an “autumn, Peruvian cocktail chilcano made with fresh rosemary and roasted beet house-infused pisco, blended with lime juice and simple syrup, and topped with ginger beer. “The pairing with yucca fries and huancaina sauce is a tempting, deelish, Peruvian touch.$15.
Nazca Mochica, 1633 P Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20036
Rum
District Distilling is featuring its U Street Groves cocktail, a mix of Buzzard Point Colonial Style White Rum, Pur-Likor Elderflower, apple cider, fresh lemon and clove syrup. The pairing with Coq Au Vin warms the soul: chicken leg braised with red wine, house-made garganelli, bacon lardons, pearl onions and beech mushrooms. $25
District Distilling, 1414 U Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20009
Whiskey
At DBGB D.C., the cocktail in the spotlight is a Manhattan Twist, a joyful alternative to the classic, mixed with Rittenhouse rye, Pierre Ferrand cognac, Montenegro, Amargo-Vallet, a bar spoon of cardamaro, a wine-based digestif amaro with blessed thistle and other herbs, as well as cardoon, and a dash of mole bitters. The Manhattan Twist is paired with a shrimp cocktail and traditional, brandy-based French cocktail sauce. $20.
DBGB D.C. Kitchen and Bar, 931 H Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20001
As RAMMYS Cocktail Program of the Year, the Kapnos team has been certainly “Living the Dream.” Now the cocktail with the same name is being featured during D.C. Cocktail Week. It’s an inventive “light autumn twist on a classic Pimms Cup.” The libation mixes Redemption Rye, Domaine de Canton, Pimms, Allspice Dram, sherry, angostura bitters, lemon and cucumber. The pairing with Bifteki—spiced beef and lamb over spetsofai with labne and grilled flatbread—is available during Happy Hour only. $12.00.
Kapnos, 2201 14th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20009
For a complete listing, visit the D.C. Cocktail Week website here.