Sip Into Summer: The DMV’s Best Warm-Weather Cocktails
Summer’s here, and the DMV’s bars are raising the bar, literally. Think crisp spritzes, herb-packed coolers and icy cocktails made for sunny days and sultry nights. We’ve rounded up the most refreshing summer sips shaking things up this season.
Thirsty for more? Don’t miss our Patio Pleasure & our Up On The Roof guides for the best al fresco food + drink.
And since it’s Pride Month, be sure to check out our Pride roundup to toast with purpose.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Global Bites Fest: Join Global Bites, Rockville’s city-wide celebration of food, culture, and community from June 1-14, 2025. Dine at any of the Rockville restaurants (must be in city limits; excludes national chains) listed below and after indulging, upload an image of your receipt to the Global Bites submission form to be entered for a chance to win one of three VISA gift cards ($50, $100, $200) to fund your next restaurant outing. Get tickets here.
Virginia Wine Festival: Saturday, May 31 (4–9 PM) & Sunday, June 1 (12–5 PM), 2025. Taste the best of Virginia wine at the Commonwealth’s premier wine event, featuring over 200 wines from 30+ top wineries, live music, gourmet food, and artisan shopping—all just steps from the Silver Line Metro. This year’s festival is made even more exceptional with the participation of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, curating elevated culinary offerings that perfectly complement the region’s finest wines. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just in it for a good time, this is your ultimate weekend to sip, savor, and celebrate. Tickets are available here.
SommCon: SommCon, the leading conference for wine and spirits education, is making its highly anticipated return to the East Coast with the SommCon DC Summit, taking place June 2-3, 2025, in partnership with The SOMM Journal. Each day of the SommCon DC Summit features two wine-tasting seminars and a curated wine-paired lunch. Sessions offered on June 2 differ from those offered on June 3 and attendees have the option to attend one or both days of the summit.
Early Mountain Wine Dinner at Vermilion: Vermillion has a new wine series on June 5th where you will be celebrating the best of Virginia wine with one of the region’s most exciting winemakers. Tickets here.
Maryland, Crafted: The eighth annual Maryland Crafted: Centreville (formerly known as DrinkMaryland) is back on Saturday, June 7 from 12–5 PM, bringing a day full of local flavor, artisan vibes, and Eastern Shore charm to Lawyers Row and Broadway. Hosted by the Town of Centreville and the Maryland Wineries Association, this free community event showcases 40+ local vendors, including top Maryland wineries, breweries, distilleries, meaderies, and artisan makers. Festivalgoers 21+ can purchase tasting passes ($25 in advance / $30 day-of) to sip their way through the state’s best craft beverages—with food trucks and live music keeping the party going. marylandcrafted.com
St Bernardus Collab at Churchkey: Join ChurchKey on Thursday, June 12th, as we welcome our friends Marco Passarella, Marketing Manager for St. Bernardus, and Marcus Englet, Head of Export for Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan. On this night, we will celebrate the release of Kombine, a Helles Lager collaboration between St. Bernardus and Weihenstephan, plus pour 6 more drafts from the breweries. This special collaboration was the first lager brewed at St. Bernardus. It’s an unfiltered Helles Lager that uses Weihenstephan’s yeast and a blend of hops from St. Bernadus and Weihenstephan.
Schilling Alexandr 10th anniversary Tap Takeover at Churchkey: On Friday, June 13th, ChurchKey will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Schilling Beer Company’s Alexandr Czech-style Pilsner! To honor this brewery and their flagship beer, we’ll pour a total of 21 drafts! Jeff Cozzens, Co-Founder, and John Lenzini, President & Head Brewer, will be in attendance for this special event, which is the largest Schilling tap takeover ever held. There is no admission fee for this event. All featured beers will be available a la carte.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Super Summer Supra: Supra has a new Summer Tasting Menu with a Georgian wine pairing experience. This new offer, developed in partnership with Georgian Wine House, will be available Sunday to Thursday at dinner service throughout the month of June. This Supra, which means “celebratory feast,” is priced at $55 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) for dinner and an additional $40 per person for the featured wine pairings, curated to perfect this Georgian culinary adventure. 1205 11th Street NW; supradc.com
Art-Filled Watering Hole: Reynold’s is an intimate, art-covered cocktail bar elevated by intricately crafted cocktails and impeccably prepared bar snacks. Highlights from Casamara’s creative and equally sun-kissed cocktail menu include the Pepperoncini-tini, a playful twist on a dirty martini featuring Grey Goose vodka and pepperoncini brine, accompanied by a feta-stuffed olive; and the Donatella’s Kiss, pairing Espolòn reposado tequila with the kick of Italian Calabrian chili and warm floral briskness of Ginger of the Indies, all sweetened with a touch of honey. reynoldsbardc.com
Creamy Mocktails Are a Trend?: Paraíso’s creamy mocktails include the Horchata Agua Fresca (almond milk, rice, cloves, vanilla and cinnamon), the La Colada (colada mix and piña), and the Matcha Fresa (matcha, strawberry, and your choice of milk). Break up your week with Wine Wednesdays at Paraíso! Every Wednesday night, Paraíso offers Half-Price Select Wine Bottles, including Orin Swift Machete Blend, Voces Viajero Cabernet Sauvignon, and assorted Monte Xanic wines, which is one of Mexico’s largest vineyards and exporters! Champagne lovers can also enjoy half-price bottles of Moet Chandon, Piper Heidsick, and Veuve Cliquot. 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE; Paraiso.com
Tokyo in Tysons: A new restaurant has opened in Tysons called the Naisho Room. Naisho (meaning “secret” in Japanese) is both the name and the ethos of this dimly lit, design-driven space. With just a few nights of service each week, and reservations reviewed one by one, The Naisho Room is already one of the hardest seats to secure in the DC area. Those who make it inside are rewarded with skyline views, immersive ambiance, a bar program built around rare Japanese spirits, and artful bites from Wren’s Executive Sushi Chef, Hobin Kim.1825 Capital One Dr, Tysons, VA 22102; Instagram
Love is Love: U Street wine bar Lulu’s Winegarden is celebrating World Pride DC and Pride Month, introducing a “Love is Love at Lulu’s” drink menu filled with colorful cocktails and charitable Cava through June 30. And drinkers can sip for a cause, as the U Street wine garden is donating $1 from each Pride drink sold to the Human Rights Campaign. Lulu’s Winegarden has created three special pride cocktails (each $16): the crushable “Dancing Queen” (vodka, house blueberry lemonade and club soda); the purple-hued “Taste the Rainbow” (a creative riff on a classic Aviation with gin, creme de violette, fresh raspberry and lime, garnished with a rainbow candy belt); and the tropical “Come to My Window” (a strawberry-coconut daiquiri with white rum, coconut liqueur, strawberry and fresh lime, with a coconut-dusted rim).1940 11th Street NW; luluswinegarden.com
Mah Jongg Players Alert: JOY by Seven Reasons invites you to come play the classic Chinese game over bites and specialty cocktails inspired by the game. Highlights from the menu include the “BIRDBAM” ($15) (Aperol, Lillet Rose, Sparkling Wine, Strawberries, Oranges), The “GREEN DRAGON” ($14) (Vodka, Lillet Blanc, Olives), and the “JOKER” ($12) (NA - Passion Fruit, Lime, Rosemary, Indian Long Pepper). Led by instructor Caryn Fagan, this experience is available on select Mondays, starting at 6 pm. You can also rent the Mah Jogg set if they’re familiar with the game. 5471 Wisconsin Ave, Chevy Chase; joy.com
Champagne Campaign (Happy Hour Alert): Indulge in the new happy hour menu at Cordelia Fishbar, Sunday-Thursday at the bar from 4-6pm and every night from 10pm until close. Enjoy $9 specialty cocktails including “Dead in the Water” made with Miller High Life, absinthe, rum, lime and simple syrup. Feeling fancy? Opt for a discounted bottle of champagne and pair with half off oysters and raw bar platters. 550 Morse St NE; Cordelia.com
Thursdays Look Happy (Happy Hour Alert): Enjoy all day happy hour in the MayBar Lounge at Joon on Thursdays beginning at 11:30am! Highlights include $10 cocktails such as the Tequila Rose, made with tequila, grapefruit, rosewater, and fresh lime juice, and the Vodka Albaloo made with vodka and Joon’s signature sour cherry cordial. $5 beers and $8 glasses of wine are also available along with $5 off mazzeh plates. 8045 Leesburg Pike suite 120; eatjoon.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Summer Sipping in South Asia: Tapori is ready to combat upcoming seasonal hot temps with his new late Spring/Summer cocktails. You can enjoy frozen cocktails like his spirit-forward and tropical Kerala Cooler, made with Smith & Cross Rum, Iichiko Shochu, Jackfruit Cordial Campari, Orange, Maraschino, and Kashmiri Chili or his Pom Star Soda, made with Mcclintock Organic Epiphany Vodka, Star Anise, Carbonation. 600 H Street NE; taporidc.com
Tableside Kakigori Cocktails, Yes Please: Celebrate summer in the District at Moonraker, the Japanese-inspired rooftop bar and lounge located atop Pendry Washington, D.C. - The Wharf, with the all-new weekend series Suntory Daytime Socials. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, you can enjoy summer spins from live DJs featuring blends of Japanese city pop, nu-disco and chill jazz funk, and cool down with Moonraker’s new tableside Kakigori Cocktails, a Japanese shaved ice treat spiked with Suntory Japanese spirits. The menu currently features three $40kakigori cocktails, each of which is made and served tableside by Moonraker’s staff exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays. 655 Water Street; Moonraker.com
Cocktails in the Lobby: Tory Pratt, founder of DC based Pratt Standard Cocktail Company, is eager to bring unique recipes to Lobby Bar’s cocktail and martini program. The House Dirty Martini uses caper brine for a unique twist, while the Specialty Dirty Martini features an olive oil wash and oyster brine. The Earl Grey Arnold Palmer uses Bulleit Bourbon, Pratt Standard’s ‘ Earl Grey Vanilla Syrup’ and lemon. A variety of other cocktails, wines and beers round out the beverage options. 224 7th Street; Lobbybar
Rose (Garden) All Day: Enjoy waterfront views with rosé in hand at The Grill’s new Rose Garden. The patio will be decked out for spring and summer with a new floral backdrop for the perfect setting to sip on rosé and watch the boats pass by on The Wharf. They offer 5oz, 7oz and 8oz pours, and their nonalcoholic spritz is perfect for those seeking a fun and refreshing mocktail. 99 Market Square; The grill.com
Caribbean Heat Gets Cool (Happy Hour Alert): St. James has a new happy hour. For happy hour, you can enjoy specialty cocktails such as the Dark & Stormy ($10) made with rum, lime, and ginger beer, and the Smokin’ Mirror ($10) served with mezcal, Lillet Blanc, and Luxardo Bitter Bianco. Rail spirits with mixers are available for $9 and select wines are also available for $9. 2017 14th St. NW; stjames-dc.com
Tulum-Inspired Oasis (Happy Hour Alert): Perched atop Hotel Nell, Treehouse is an outdoor, Tulum-inspired oasis serving up handcrafted cocktails, elevated bites, and more. They have happy hour deals available all day Monday, and Tuesday - Friday from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. The deals include $8 Classic Margaritas, and more. 411 New York Ave NE; hotelnelldc.com
Shake It Up, St Regis Style: The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has launched a private cocktail classes led by the St. Regis Bar’s expert bartenders. As a nod to the Kentucky Derby, the inaugural class will invite budding mixologists to learn how to make the bar’s spin on the Mint Julep. marriott.com
