State Of The Cocktail

Bored by last night's State of the Union and looking for something a little more potent?

With crafty cocktails popping up with greater frequency (and mixologists moving all over town), I got to wondering about the state of the cocktail in DC. One thing is certain here, as in other major cities: Interest in the art of the cocktail is hitting a serious high. But are we keeping up with cutting edge trends? And when it comes to what's in our glasses, how far have we come and where are we headed?

For insight, I turned to a trusted source, Komi's Derek Brown, for a check-up on the DC area's cocktail craft.

First up, check out my list of the top cocktail talents shaking up the scene, compiled with input from Brown.

Next, an admission. Brown tells Metrocurean that the best cocktail he had last year was made at PDT in Manhattan. "It's called the Silver Lily and is a riff on the Violet Fizz sans soda — Plymouth Gin, Creme de Violette, Cointreau, egg whites and lemon juice," he says. "As I sipped it, I felt conflicted. I hate to concede the title of best cocktails to New York. I'm only glad I might not have to do the same in 2008."

That's because our cocktail scene is rapidly evolving. One trend to watch this year is the import of rare spirits and mixers, like Curacao from the actual island of Curacao and real Absinthe. "The shift in 2008 will be from mixologist to maitre'd liquorist," Brown says.

At PX and Restaurant Eve, pioneering spirit savant Todd Thrasher and his team, including PX's Clinton Terry, have paved the way for innovation and a guiding from-scratch philosophy. Behind bars all over town, watch for even more housemade ingredients, including sodas, tonics, bitters, vermouth and syrups.

As for a hot cocktail hood? "14th Street is becoming 'cocktail corridor'," Brown says, with nods to his brother, Tom Brown, who's manning the bar at Cork (which opens today!) and Adam Bernbach up the street at Bar Pilar. "Bernbach's Darkside, with Plymouth Gin, Marcarini Chinato Vermouth, Peychaud Bitters and spiced cherries, is going to be a contender for cocktail of the year," Brown says. Meanwhile, his brother has incorporated wine — Cork's focus — into his cocktail list by making Colonial-era influenced sangarees and flips with wine as the base.

"Gin is the new tequila," says Brown. For the best gin and tonic in town, he recommends heading to New Heights where chef/sommelier John Wabeck offers an array of gins matched with boutique tonics.

Who else is breaking new ground? Add on in the comments.

Comments

AKW said…
Do you have any further details on the Cork grand opening tonight? The website is sparse as of right now. Do you think we can just drop in to check out this addition to our neighborhood or do we need reservations? is it an invite thing?
Thanks!
Anonymous said…
Great post, thanks!
Amanda said…
As far as I know, they are officially opening today. They've already done a private preview and mock service. But I'd give a quick call before you head over, just in case.
Anonymous said…
This makes me want to drink. Thanks for all the ideas.
LT said…
There's a great raspberry cocktail at the bar/lounge at Blue Duck Tavern. Mmmm... it tastes like juice.
Hey - I just posted about the lack of fab cocktails in DC the other day...

www.thedistrictdomestic.com

I am excited to check out these recommendations!
Michael said…
I'm glad to see my favorite gin Plymouth mentioned more than once ... two years ago it was scarce behind DC bars.
Anonymous said…
So pray tell, when will Derek be mixing drinks again?
Anonymous said…
After I get done my shift ;)
Anonymous said…
These two really looked like they could use a drink the other night!
Amanda said…
Maybe they should serve alcohol at the State of the Union - take it from Oscars to Emmys for more rabble-rousing.
SeanMike said…
Cool post. You've made me excited about hitting Cork and New Heights. Do you know if the latter has Q tonic?

(And I gave you a link over in the Scofflaw's Den.
Anonymous said…
the pic isn't even from the 2008 state of union...unless ms. pelosi had some sort of quick costume change during a group republican applause.
Amanda said…
You are correct. I made the image the day before. (These things take time!) Pelosi was sporting a different 'do too.
Washington Cube said…
I create my own cocktails in D.C., but the trick is finding a playful bartender and not attempting this during busy work times. Just before Happy Hour. Today I posted about last night's effort: The Britney Spears Highball, Lowball, Screwball, Correctol Cocktail. I was going to call it her car wreck, but news changes by the second on this dervish twirlster.

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