Spring in A Glass: TheListAreYouOnIt.com’s Weekly Roundup of Things to Drink

Spring has sprung—and so have the seasonal sips. As DC shakes off the last of winter, the bar scene is bursting with cocktails that bridge the cozy and the crisp. From herbaceous and floral notes to bright citrus and garden-fresh garnishes, we’re diving into the drinks that are defining the season. Ready to raise a coupe to spring? We are.

Plus, the DMV’s tea scene is steeped in flavor—click here to discover the best spots to sip.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Spring Wine Fling: Spring Wine Fling, presented by Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), returns on the first day of spring, March 20, through March 31. The annual dining promotion, highlighting food and wine pairings at participating restaurants across the DC region, offers a two-course dinner with two glasses of wine for $55 per person. The list of participating locations and their offerings will be available soon at wineflingdc.com. 

Enter the Cherry Blossom Cocktail Competition: Think you know how to make a great cocktail? This is your chance to win. This event is sponsored by OKA BRAND , a family of distinctive Japanese spirits that specialize in unique ingredients and time-honored production methods. OKA blends these traditions with a modern flair across its diverse range of products. Create a cocktail using at least 2oz of Japanese, Oka Brand Spirits or Sakes. The top 3 finalists will be selected and notified by April 2, 2025. Submit here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Waste Free Kombucha: Lutece’s Chef de Cuisine, Bruno Enciso, recently launched a kombucha as part of their non-alcoholic offerings for their Chef’s Table experience — that also reduces waste. Chef Bruno makes kombucha in-house with trimmings from the Pastry Program, like apples or rhubarb. The current offering is a Rhubarb and Hibiscus kombucha. Lutece.com

The Wharf Gets a Whitlow’s: The Wharf is getting a new Whitlow’s on the Water. Just like its sibling on U Street, Whitlow’s at The Wharf will feature live music on an entertainment stage. 949 Wharf Street; whitlow’s

La La La Betty: La Betty is back and reimagined as a Listening Room featuring natural wine, thoughtfully curated music, and globally inspired small plates in a warm and inviting space. Labetty.com

Wednesdays=Jazz+Wine: The St. Regis is now featuring a jazz and wine night where you can enjoy a series of jazz performances and selections from female wine makers. This runs through May 28. 

Spring Has Sprung at 801: 801 has a new cocktail menu. The brand-new cocktail menu is the perfect complement to rooftop season, featuring refreshing, fruit-forward drinks like their signature Crushes and the tropical frozen Coco Cabana. Whether guests are in the mood for something light and citrusy or want to share one of the 32oz Beach Buckets or Mega Cocktails, there’s something for every summer occasion. 801 Florida avenue; 801.com

Mesero, There’s a Grasshopper in My Drink! (Happy Hour Alert): Amparo Fondita has a new expanded happy hour—complete with sopesitas topped with mezcal, flambeed Oaxacan insects, and $5 tacos wrapped in hand-pressed blue corn tortillas. 2002 Pstreet; Amparo Fondita 

This Makes Us Happy (Happy Hour Alert): Motorkat is already feeling the early influence of springtime; longer days, later sunsets, and more happiness. In addition to drink specials that include $5 beers/$7 wines/$8 cocktails, we also offer half priced oysters and 25% off the entire bar menu. 6939 Laurel Road; motorkat.com

Whiskey, Neat: Fairmont has collaborated with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to create the Nearest Green suite. As special amenities, guests will receive a bottle of Nearest Green Tennessee Whiskey, signed by Master Blender Victoria Eady Butler and a signed copy of Love & Whiskey. The inspiration for the suite is the story of Nearest Green, the formerly enslaved African American master distiller who taught his process to Jack Daniel, founder of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Distillery. Nearest Green was hired as the first master distiller for the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey Distillery making him the first African American distiller on record in the United States. 2401 M Street, NW; fairmont-washington-dc.com

Pucker Up (Happy Hour Alert): The team at Amazonia has a new deal called Sour Hour, an exciting new happy hour designed to bring you bold Peruvian flavors, refreshing cocktails, and an inviting atmosphere—all at incredible prices. Whether you're looking to unwind after work, meet up with friends, or start your evening with something special, Sour Hour is the perfect opportunity to indulge in Amazonia’s signature sips and bites without breaking the bank. 920 Blagden Alley NW; causadc.com

Manic Monday : Executive Chef George Rodrigues's first solo restaurant in Rockville Town Center opened in the Winter of 2022. El Mercat Bar de Tapas is a restaurant representing Spanish cultural diversity's essence. A concept of simple and delicious food, serving shareable, seasonal, and house-made dishes. The menu allows guests to savor different dishes that will take them through a vibrant Spanish culinary journey with the most exciting flavors of true tapas fare. On Mondays, you can enjoy a BOGO wine deal, order a bottle of wine with dinner and enjoy a second bottle on them. 101 Gibbs St, Rockville, MD; elmercatbardetapas.com

Five Dolla (Happy Hour Alert): Established in 1982, The Madhatter has been a DC staple for more than 40 years. Enjoy classic American fare in a welcoming environment with themes from the original Alice in Wonderland. They also have a deal running on Fridays for $5 martinis from 4-8pm. 1319 Connecticut Ave NW; madhatterdc.com

Tea Time: Zinnia has a new tea time for you to enjoy. The 90-minute experience takes place in either the Main Dining Room at Zinnia or the 1850s-era Parlor original to the house that became Mrs. K's Toll House. here are 12 teas available for selection including black teas (Earl Grey, Darjeeling, English Breakfast), green (Japanese Sencha), white teas, and caffeine-free herbal teas (Peppermint, Roiboos). A three-tiered platter is served with tea sandwiches (smoked salmon, cucumber, Coronation Chicken) along with breads and sweets (Pistachio Madeleines, Croissants, Chocolate Mousse, Lemon tarts). 9201 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring MD; eatzinnia.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

You Wouldn’t Be From Ireland, Would Ya?: Barrel House is launching an exclusive pop-up series featuring themed events. Enjoy immersive experiences with crafted cocktails, seasonal bites, and uniquely curated ambiances—ranging from cozy winter vibes at The Lodge to Irish-inspired celebrations at Shamrock Shack, a tribute to Japan’s cherry blossoms at Sakura, and the enchanting fairy garden escape of Pixie Hollow. 1341 14th St NW; barrelhousedc.com

New IPA in NW: Comet Beer has a new IPA. Comet Rundlauf IPA! At 6% ABV and with tasting notes of tropical fruits, overripe melon, lemon, and lime. 5037 Connecticut Avenue Northwest; CometPingPong.com

Bagels & Booze: Known as DC's cocktail queen with a larger-than-life personality, Gina Chersevani is bringing her bagel-and-booze empire to the Cleveland Park hood this February 2025. They're brewing seriously good Ceremony Coffee from Annapolis, MD, turning your morning caffeine fix into an experience with Bananas Foster Lattes and Lavender Matcha moments that'll change your morning ritual, all for the better. 3501 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008; buffalobergendc.com

It Ain’t Easy Being Green (Happy Hour Alert): The Green Zone is introducing a new happy hour menu. Happy hour will now feature $12 cocktails from 5 - 8 PM Tuesday - Friday, 2 - 8 PM Saturday, and all day on Sunday (starting at 2 PM). This is a change from our current happy hour pricing of $15. 2226 18th Street NW, Washington, DC; thegreenzonedc.com

This Happy Hour Starts at 3 PM (Happy Hour Alert) : Corso Italian in Shirlington has launched a brand new happy hour. Now 3 - 7 PM, seven days a week! (Only at the bar.) Get deals on hh bites, beers, wines and cocktails. 4024 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Virginia 22206; corsoitalian.com

Happy Hour is All Set (Happy Hour Alert): All Set Restaurant and Bar, the contemporary New-England inspired restaurant has extended Happy Hour in the restaurant’s bar and lounge area Mondays through Saturdays from 3PM until close (9PM Monday through Thursday, 10PM Friday & Saturday), and offering Happy Hour throughout the entire restaurant from 3PM to 6PM Mondays through Saturdays. All Set’s updated Happy Hour menu also features specialty cocktail options available for $10, in addition to a selection of classic cocktails available for $7. The bar serves up vodka-based cocktails including The Provincetown with cranberry-infused vodka, cucumber, basil, and mint, and the Boston Tea Party made with tea-infused vodka and lemonade. 8630 Fenton St; allsetrestaurant.com