Warm drinks to chase away the cold at D.C. bars
These establishments have some warm drinks sure to chase away the winter cold – and, perhaps, the blues.
Bourbon Steak
Purists will appreciate the Maple Toddy, a fresh, simple approach to the seasonal treat: House-made maple butter and full-bodied Bernheim wheat whiskey combine sweetly with aromatic old-fashioned bitters in the modern-looking latte glass. $16.
The Gibson
The Uncle Simon is one of the more unusual hot drinks served locally. The liquid is rich with Jamaican rum and Drambuie, but the mug arrives with a freshly whipped head of tobacco scented chocolate granache. Sipping rum through a rich layer of warm chocolate icing is as odd and satisfying as it sounds. $16.
Poste Moderne Brasserie
Buttered Rum on Fire tastes like one of the best such drinks in the city, but, surprise: There’s actually no rum in it. The primary ingredient is Novo Fogo cachaca, a Brazilian spirit made from sugarcane and aged in bourbon barrels for two years. The resulting mellow flavor, with a touch of spice, makes it the perfect foil for Poste’s house-made butter, spiked with pink peppercorns and brown sugar. $11.
Proof
The two hot drinks on Proof’s menu have a cute date-night conceit: Each is served in a thermos that contains enough for two people and is left on the bar so you can pour your own. The more unique of the options is the Talking Dog Toddy; its woody, bittersweet taste comes from fruity verbena tea, Cynar artichoke liqueur and sweet, smooth Whistlepig rye whiskey. $18.
Room 11
Owner and bartender Dan Searing models his mulled wine after the traditional Swedish version, called glogg. He adds cinnamon, clove and ginger to red wine, plus a bit of black cardamom for a fuller, smokier flavor. (There’s also a slug of vodka for good measure.) Glogg simmers in a pot behind the bar from Friday to Sunday; for the full Swedish effect, bundle up in a fleece blanket (from Ikea, of course) and enjoy your warm drink next to the firepit on Room 11′s patio. $6.
Tabard Inn
The Rainy Day Toddy, Tabard head mixologist Chantal Tseng’s fun take on the usual hot drink, adds fruity Rooibos tea to the typical blend of whiskey and spices; honey, apple brandy and a hint of orange add to the distinctly malty flavor. $11.
Tryst Coffeehouse and Bar
The spiked coffee drinks at Tryst in Adams Morgan make the competition look positively pedestrian. The best, though, doesn’t star coffee, but Tryst’s own vanilla chai tea. With a kick coming from coffee liqueur and some sweetness from dark rum, the creamy, pleasantly spiced Voodoo Lady is a winner. $8.
