Seasonal Sipping

Photo: Arrayan Wines from Trade Winds Specialty

No surprise at the unique libations coming out of DC Area distilleries, bars, and restaurants

Arrayan Wines from Trade Winds
What do you want to drink this summer or any season? Wines from Spain, specifically from the winery of Arrayan. Located in a nature reserve in central Spain between Toledo and Madrid and protected by the Gredos and Guadarrama mountain ranges. These wines represent the terroir and the area where they come from. In addition, they have focused on revitalizing older (almost extinct) varietals like Albillo real which makes them pioneers. Helmed by winemaker, Maite Sanchez, she may not have a very large production in terms of the number of bottles, but there is an extensive range in the offers. Visit TradeWinds.com for where to pick up your own bottle.

Capitol Hill Fight Club
Capitol Hill’s Fight Club is offering happy hour which features a menu centered around boozy punches on draft from beverage director Mackenzie Conway in addition to select wines by the glass and beer served in a solo cup. Cocktails include the Im-Polite-Castro with bourbon, pineapple, falernum, lemon, simple, and bitters; the Sadboyz Tea featuring vodka, early grey and passion fruit teas, mint syrup, and light bubbles, and more. 623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; 202.733.1384; fightclubdc.com

NEW:  Catoctin Creek
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co., The Virginia Rye Whisky ℠, WAS excited to partner with GWAR to release their infamous Ragnarök Rye this past February. Aged in charred new white oak, then sugar maple and cherrywood, each bottle of Catoctin Creek’s 92-proof intergalactic rye whisky comes with a cast-metal collectible bottle topper featuring each of the five members of GWAR: Blóthar the Berserker; Balsac the Jaws of Death; Jizmak da Gusha; Beefcake the Mighty; and Pustulus Maximus. 120 W Main Street, Purcellville, VA; 540.751.8404; catoctincreekdistilling.com

Dawson’s 
Dawson’s has introduced a new wine club with specially curated wines from around the world.  Choose from a 4 bottle or 2 bottle package.  Wines are selected each month with a special theme based on region, varietal, growing method, or season.  All members will have access to live and recorded wine videos featuring the selected wines. 225 N. Washington Street, Rockville, MD; 240.428.1386; dawsonsmarket.com

El Techo
El Techo has released its new spring/summer cocktail menu with offerings including Mango Margarita with lime, lemongrass, fresh mango, Monte Alba tequila, and Patron Citronge; the Floradora featuring lime, mint, raspberries, simple syrup, Hayman’s gin, and egg whites; and La Diabla made with lime, cranberry, fresh pineapple, simple syrup, and Wodka vodka, and more. 606 Florida Avenue NW; 202.836.4270; eltechodc.com

Guinness
Guinness has released Salt & Lime Ale, an American-brewed experimental beer from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, in places where you can buy beer across the DMV. The beer is expertly balanced with key lime puree and sea salt from the mouth of the Chesapeake. At a 5% ABV, it is a pale yellow ale with forward notes of lime peel, biscuit and light salt. The beer will be sold in six packs of 12 ounce cans for a suggested retail price of $10.99. 5001 Washington Boulevard; guinnessbrewerybaltimore.com

Opaline Bar & Brasserie 
Opaline is now offering afternoon tea in the privacy of a guest room or suite. Executive Chef Kevin Lalli and his team are preparing French afternoon tea for sweet and savory lovers of all ages. Offerings include blueberry scones with lemon curd, French macarons, mini Madeleines, and more. 806 15th Street NW; 202.730.8800; opalinedc.com

Republic Restoratives
Republic Restoratives is offering many cocktail kits. They are featuring a Mint Julep Cocktail Kit with homemade mint simple syrup and the canvas Lewis Ice Bag. Other kits include the American 46 Cocktail Kit, and the Civic Vodka + Gordy's Bloody Mary Mix kit. 1369 New York Avenue NE; 202.733.3996; republicrestorativesbottleshop.square.site

Wigle Whisky
Wigle Whisky has brought back the Eau de Pickle, (pronounced “Oh de Pickle”), which was awarded the National Innovation Award by the American Craft Spirits Association in 2019. This year's limited release is wrapped in an illustrative label with a King Kong-esque Pickle at the Point. This label by the talented Pittsburgh artist Matthew Buchholz, owner of Alternate Histories. 2401 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA; 412.224.2827; wiglewhiskey.com