Summertime cocktails

You don’t have to be in the tropics to feel like you’re on a vacation. With a warm winter in the District, the summer is expected to be even warmer than usual. D.C.’s hottest establishments share how to cool off with cocktails.

The key word is, of course, refreshing.

Ben Wiley, the head bartender for chef José Andrés’s America Eats Tavern, located at 405 8th St. NW, said that when it comes to summer cocktails, the classics are a great go-to.

“Summer is the chance to get outside. But especially in D.C.’s hot weather, everyone’s looking to cool off. You want something refreshing that tastes great. Usually that means adding a little bit of effervescence — champagne or soda water.”

A classic Wiley recommends is the rickey, which leaves plenty of room for interpretation. Essentially, a rickey cocktail consists of no more than 2 ounces of bourbon or gin, a healthy amount of citrus, a little sweetener (no more than half an ounce) and some fizz, such as a dry sparkling wine, tonic water or soda.

“Add a little St. Germaine [wildflower liqueur], or do seasonal fruits as garnishes,” he suggests.

Todd Thrasher, bar chef and partner with Restaurant Eve and Society Fair in Alexandria, Va., (110 South Pitt St.) says seasonal and local ingredients excite his guests.

“Right now, people are digging strawberry and rhubarb,” Thrasher said. “As far as sprits, when the weather gets warm, people start asking for rum. You start thinking of the Caribbean.”

If you are entertaining this summer, Thrasher suggests offering up a daiquiri. While most people know it as the frilly, frozen strawberry drink it has become, he says that at its roots, a daiquiri is just “lime juice, a little bit of sugar and rum.” 

“A proper daiquiri? There’s nothing else better than that,” he said.

Samantha Withall, beverage manager at The Hamilton, located at 600 14th St. NW, is also very in tune with seasonal changes.

“Cocktails that are geared toward for the summer are lighter and fruit-based, including things like berries,” she said. “Melon is a nice thing to put into cocktails.”

One of The Hamilton’s specialty cocktails, the Smoked Lemon Sour, combines both savory and sweet, with smoked lemon syrup to give a taste reminiscent of summer BBQs.

“You kind of want to have some grilled salmon with it,” she said, laughing.

Overall, the most important advice about summertime beverages is to drink intelligently, reminds Thrasher.

“Use caution when drinking in the sun,” he says.