Hot Chocolate, Bourbon, Toddies and More
As much as I’m in denial about the weather, I know winter will be rearing its ugly head all too soon. The thought of another polar vortex literally has me shaking in my boots. As bad that sounds, I recently came across a new winter storm term: bomb cyclone. It sounds like the uglier, scarier, step sister version of the polar vortex. I can’t wait. Like fight or flight, I normally have two responses to the extreme cold: hibernate or down alcoholic drinks to warm up. I’m shooting for the latter this year, so in preparation of the upcoming chilly weather, grab your mittens and head to these bars and restaurants for a warm beverage or two … or three:
Holey Moley: chili pepper and cinnamon spiced hot cocoa (Photo: Poste Modern Brasserie)
Poste Modern Brasserie: Their Winter Lounge, open Thursday-Saturday, features three signature cocktails: The Appleton of My Eye (rum and salted caramel cider), Holey Moley (chili pepper and cinnamon spiced hot cocoa) and a Maple Bourbon Toddy (bourbon, black tea and house made charred cedar bitters).
Co Co Sala: On the menu at this chocolate lounge are signature cocktails including a malted milk martini with Svedka vanilla vodka, Bailey’s Irish Crème and malted chocolate. If you’re not in the mood for an alcoholic beverage, check out their hot chocolate variations — there are six of them (dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate, peanut butter, salted caramel or chipotle).
Bar Charley: Head to the bar for an Irish coffee, made with coffee from local roaster, Zeke’s Coffee, topped with whipped ginger cream and brown sugar.
Tryst: There is no shortage of warm beverages at this Adams Morgan coffeehouse. Sip on non-alcoholic drinks such as lavender hot chocolate and Masala chai. Seasonal specials currently include a pumpkin spiced latte and the salted caramel affogato. For those looking for a cocktail, try the honey bourbon chai (bourbon, honey, hot vanilla chai and whipped cream) or a classic hot toddy (bourbon, honey, Earl Grey tea and Lemon) from the Fall Warmers menu.
Bourbon Steak: This restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown has plenty of hot drinks on the menu. Favorites include the hot “buttered” rum (Mount Gay, Meyers, vanilla bean, ginger and allspice served with dulce de leche foam) and the Bourbon Steak Hot Chocolate (Valrhona chocolate, tres leches and spiced Chantilly cream).
Hank’s Oyster Bar: At the Old Town location, you’ll find drinks from their special fall cocktail list such as Let Teddy Win with hot apple cider, rum and a cinnamon sugar rim. From the H.O.T. Favorites menu, try the Hot Pursuit 12 with Bowman Brothers bourbon, lime, mint and IPA syrup.
A native of Northern Virginia, Lanna is a full-time marketing professional. Outside her cube, she can be found roaming D.C. for the perfect brunch spots, discovering new restaurants and trying to recreate all of her mom’s recipes. When she’s not out finding new ways to expand her waistline, you can catch her at her favorite spin studio attempting to offset her foodie appetite.
