The verdict among DC bartenders is decisive: the drink of the summer is still the martini.
“People are mainlining martinis at noon… knocking them back one after another with dinner and coming in on their birthday and ordering a comically huge version we have,” says Eebee’s Corner Bar owner Emily Brown.
But just because martinis are trendy, doesn’t mean they’re ideal for summer sipping. We asked some DC bartenders for some hot-weather alternatives to close out the season.
Aperol and bubbles from Eebee’s Corner Bar
Brown says Aperol and bubbles are the way to alleviate the summer heat. Eebee’s has been selling lots of its signature Aperol spritzes and Spaghetts, which inject Aperol and lime juice into a bottle of Miller High Life.
All things tomato from Your Only Friend
From sandwiches to cocktails, produce is the champion of summer for this Shaw cocktail bar. “Mid-July to August is all about tomatoes,” co-owner Paul Taylor says. Your Only Friend features a negroni with clarified tomato water and herbaceous, summery aperitifs as well as a daiquiri with a tomato-strawberry cordial.
Bittersweet and tropical from Cana
General Manager and long-time bartender Josue Larin says his summer drink of choice is an Americano. Cana does its own version called the Braziliano with Campari, coffee cacao, coconut water, and mango-infused white port in place of sweet vermouth. “It’s a bittersweet, tropical drink and that for me screams hot weather,” Larin says.
Light and delicious from Service Bar
Co-owner Chat Spangler says there’s nothing better than a “light and delicious” mint julep or Champagne cobbler. Both are served over crushed ice and offer the citrusy, fruity, and refreshing qualities that are perfect for an afternoon outdoors.
