Seasonal Sips: TheListAreYouOnIt.com’s Weekly Roundup of Things to Drink

The winter chill is here, and the drinks are flowing with plenty of festive flavors.  We're diving into DC's buzzing bar scene, where seasonal sips steal the spotlight. From spiced and spirited to rich and cozy, we've got the scoop on winter-inspired cocktails. We’re ready to raise a coup to the season.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

Repeal Day Ball: DC’s Annual Repeal Day Ball heads to Jack Rose Dining Saloon & The Imperial for a two-day event filled with incredible cocktails, live entertainment, and a vibrant celebration of our city’s rich bar culture. On Saturday, December 7, cocktail enthusiasts, barflies, and spirits aficionados will experience an unforgettable night showcasing the talent of the DC Bar Guild's most skilled bartenders and a selection of premium brands. With over 20 bars across Jack Rose and The Imperial, guests will sip and savor from an array of handcrafted cocktails while indulging in a selection of delicious bites from both kitchens. Purchase ticket here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Holiday Drink Passport: Visit Montgomery has introduced the Holiday Drink Tour Passport, accessible through the Visit MoCo Adventure Planner App. The tour features over 20 local establishments offering seasonal beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Participating locations include Fallen Oak Distilling, featuring "The Cranberry Crush Gimlet," and gluten-free options like Silly Yak Beer’s "Tipped Angus" Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout. Visitors can check in at participating locations to be entered into a giveaway, with prizes totaling over $600 in value. The app can be downloaded be searching “visit moco” in the app store. Sign up here. 

Bubbles for the Holidays: Stable DC has decked the halls and is ready to help you celebrate the holidays the Swiss way. They have Bubbles for the Holidays where Joseph Perrier will make your dinner special starting December 6. This prix-fixe menu is $69 per person for a glass of Champagne, a starter, and champagne fondue. stabledc.com

Holidays with a Ponche: Celebrate the holidays in true Caribbean fashion at Cane and St. James. The sister Caribbean restaurants are kicking off the festive season with traditional Trinidadian bites and cocktails all month long.  Available at both restaurants is the sweet yet balanced Ponche de Crème ($16), a Caribbean milk and rum punch crafted with Angostura 7-Year aged Rum, egg yolks, milk, lime zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Angostura bitters. stjames-dc.com

For the Wine Lover (Gift Alert): Crimson Lane has gifts for the wine enthusiast in your life, with gift cards that give access to  Virginia wines crafted by winemaker Dominique Fioresi. 13334 Crimson Lane; crimsonlanevineyards.com

A Cocktail for Cookie Lovers: Bresca’s Lead Bartender, Sara Chaudhuri, just introduced a new "Yes, to All of the Above" cocktail that is one of several new cocktails in her “Iconic 90s Cocktail List” which takes inspiration from iconic movies from the decade. This latest holiday drink references The Parent Trap, and specifically the moment when the twins bond over their shared cookie-enjoying style. The “Yes, to All of the Above” is made with Michter's Rye, washed with brown butter, and rounded out with vanilla flavors in a vermouth blend of Cocchi Torino and Bermutto Sweet. This nostalgic Manhattan-esque sipper is delicate and sophisticated with the addition of umeshu plum, yet playful and nutty from the almond orgeat. 1906 14th street; brescadc.com

A New Press Club: Bar Extraordinaires, Will Patton and Devin Kennedy, are thrilled to announce the opening date for their new cocktail haven, Press Club. Located in the Historic Dupont Circle neighborhood, the new record bar with a 70’s vibe cocktail lounge and the aesthetics of a 90s record shop will open on December 12th (5pm-11pm). The name, an homage to DC + reference to the iconic National Press Club, evokes the pressing of the records to be played and the pressing of ingredients used to craft exquisitely balanced cocktails. 1506 19th street; pressclubdc.com

Winter Wonderland: Ambar Clarendon recently transformed the restaurant’s lower level into a Winter Wonderland. Ambar is introducing new winter cocktails that are perfect for this cozy environment. New libations include the following: Cafe Zagreb, vodka, cold brew, coffee liqueur, tahini whipped cream, and sesame seeds priced at $14; Balkan Hot Toddy, rakia, Johnny Walker Red, lemon juice and honey for $15, Smoked Side Car, plum rakia, maple orange syrup, and lemon Juice, priced at $15 and Marshmallow Martini, vodka, chocolate liqueur, marshmallow and cacao powder for $14. 523 8th Street; ambarrestaurant.com

Dishonesty Listening Bar:  In collaboration with the House of Suntory, Silver Lyan is transforming its luxe, hidden-away, Dishonesty Bar, into a hi-fi listening lounge for the winter season. The intimate experience will run exclusively on Friday and Saturday nights, showcasing cocktails and highballs crafted with rare Japanese spirits, including fan-favorite expressions from Suntory’s Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Hibiki. The evening will also offer light snacks of wasabi nori crisps and jamón Ibérico with crackers—and local DJ Trev Ski, spinning vinyl. 900 F St NW; silverlyan.com 

Getting Cozy: El Mercat Bar de Tapas introduces its latest seasonal offerings, blending winter-inspired flavors with signature creativity. The updated cocktail menu features cozy, spiced drinks alongside refreshing, fruit-forward options. elmercatbardetapas.com
 

On Saturdays, We Drink Wine: Annabelle has a new wine program held on the second Saturday of the month at 12 p.m., to focus on a different wine theme paired with ample, appetizer-size tasting portions, created by the culinary team helmed by James Beard award-winning Executive Chef & Culinary Director Frank Ruta. Purchase tickets here. 

A Toast to Staying Toasty: Park Hyatt has debuted its Fire Garden. The newly created outdoor oasis is reflective of a sunken garden with this Zen-like space which is ideal for unwinding with family and friends to enjoy the crisp temperatures offset by the working firepits and cozy blankets provided on the terrace. The Fire Garden is open seven days a week, from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. (weather permitting). Seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. o keep one’s spirits warm, guests can savor handcrafted winter cocktails that will be available exclusively at the Fire Garden. Choices include the Gingerbread Martini with vanilla vodka, Irish cream and ginger; Chai White Russian with chair spiced cream, spiced rum and cinnamon, and Hot Toddy with cognac, rooftop honey, lemon and cloves. 24th and M Streets, NW; hyatt.com

Calico x CampStock Fire Pit Pop Up:  Calico is partnering with WhistlePig Whiskey and Solo Stove to offer a tabletop firepit experience this Fall and Winter. The firepit experience includes campfire inspired cocktails and smores kits on their heated patio. The experience is available every Thursday - Sunday for $25 per person. To make a reservation, click here. 

Beer Academy(Gift Alert): This holiday season, give the beer enthusiast in your life an experience they’ll never forget: access to the ChurchKey Beer Academy. Led by NRG Partner & Beverage Director Greg Engert, this membership delivers an exclusive journey into the world of rare and classic brews. Churchkey Beer Academy
 

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Local Brews, Terminal 2/Gate B: Atlas Brew Works is coming to the DC airport. Located along the B Gates in Terminal 2, the forthcoming location is perfect for beer aficionados looking to imbibe before their flights out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Regulars will find comfort in the brewery’s six core beers including Silent Neighbor, which recently won a bronze medal at the 2024 US Open Beer Championship, in addition to two rotating seasonal drafts. You will be able to purchase post-security six packs to-go, bringing Atlas’ award-winning beer with them to their final destinations. atlasbrewworks.com

Golden Hour (Happy Hour Alert): Golden Hour at a.kitchen+bar DC which will run 4-5PM every Tuesday-Saturday offering unique drink and snack pairings served only during this special service hour. The menu will change over time allowing for new, exciting bites and sips to try throughout the year. See below for the Golden Hour menu launching this weekend. 1010 New Hampshire Avenue; akitchenandbardc.com

He is the Walrus: Chef Ashish Alfred has redefined The Walrus with a unique fusion of coastal American cuisine, tequila innovation, and refined interior. The culinary innovation extends to the bar, with over 40 premium tequilas, ten signature cocktails, and zero-proof options, including an espresso martini reinvented with Cazadores Café tequila. A margarita selection features smoky, spicy, and exotic flavors, crowned by a Grand Marnier foam-topped classic. 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy; walrusoysterandale.com

Coffee Collab for Veterans: Truluck’s salutes those who have served and sacrificed so much, and they recognize that for many veterans, the fight continues long after they’ve returned home. To support these heroes year-round on their journey to healing, Truluck’s has teamed up with two amazing partners, and invite guests to sip, savor, and show their solidarity. For every cup of French press coffee ($6.75) or Espresso Martini ($19.50) sold in any Truluck’s location, $1 of the proceeds will go back to the PTSD Foundation of America, helping provide crucial services to veterans and their families suffering from the effects of combat-related post-traumatic stress. 700 K St NW; trulucks.com

Bones and Bourbon: Blue Duck Tavern has introduced a new distinctive pairing opportunity for whiskey aficionados. To complement Chef de Cuisine Andrew Cleverdon’s signature Wood Oven-Roasted Bone Marrow with Onion Bordelaise, Pink Peppercorn, and Caraway Crumble, you can choose a two-ounce pour from one of three featured pairings: Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Bourbon Whiskey for $20, MB Roland, Dark Fired Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, for $24, and Espy House, Washington's Reserve Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey for $32. The marrow is sourced from Creekstone, Kansas, and is priced at $32 per serving with a portion size of three split roasted bones. This unique pairing option is available nightly in Blue Duck Tavern’s Lounge exclusively through the end of the year. Park Hyatt Washington D.C., at the corner of 24 and M Streets, NW, blueducktavern.com