Keeping It Wet: TheList’s List of What You’re Drinking

Sweater weather, meet shaker season. As temperatures continue to drop, the DMV’s bars are leaning into winter mode with warming spices and cocktails built for long, cozy nights. We’ve rounded up the most sip-worthy drinks shaking (and stirring) the season.

Going dry this season? We’ve got plenty of ways to whet your appetite.
Craving something snug? Slip into our Underground Bars roundup here.
Love an igloo moment? Duck into these winter activations here.
Looking for this week’s best food? Find it here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Blue Duck Tavern Anniversary:  Blue Duck Tavern will toast 20 years in the nation’s capital as one of the city’s most iconic restaurants in June 2026. To honor this monumental occasion, nationally recognized chefs, who formerly spearheaded Blue Duck Tavern, will return to prepare their signature dishes for a special dinner gathering accompanied by merrymaking over 2006 vintages from Blue Duck Tavern's Sommelier selections. The five-course feast will take place on Wednesday, June 10, with a champagne reception and hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. blueducktavern.com

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

New in Cleveland Park: Cork Wine Bar in Cleveland Park has opened. The wine program will feature a weekly rotation of fifteen wines by-the-glass, beginning with an opening-week selection spanning sparkling, white, red, rosé, orange wine, and cider, alongside a retail selection of approximately 350 bottles available to enjoy on site or take home. 3504 Connecticut Ave NW; corkny.com

Winter Cocktail Flight: As of January 13th, Immigrant Food is offering their new winter cocktail flight. Highlights include their “Coquito” (Dark Carribean Rum, winter spices, Coco Lopez mix, shredded coconut rim), their “Cask & Chamomile” (Bourbon, St. Germain chamomile, honey, mint), and the “Wool and Whiskey” (Scotch, Sweet Vermouth, honey, cinnamon, chocolate, orange bitters). 4245 Fairfax Drive; immigrantfood.com

Marshmallow Fluff Hot Chocolate? Yes, please: SoftSpot’s S’mores Hot Chocolate has been drawing growing attention this winter, with its house-made marshmallow fluff and hand-scooped whipped cream becoming a standout part of the shop's seasonal menu. The drink has picked up strong organic traction on social media after being on the menu for the past few weeks. The chocolate base is made using premium chocolate from Guittard and Barry Callebaut. SoftSpot works with four different chocolate profiles across the program, blended to complement the sweetness and texture of the marshmallow and cream. 13905A Metrotech Drive; softspot.co

A Queen’s Tasting: La Boheme has created a new series called The Show Must Go On: A Queen-Inspired Tasting Experience. Step into the spotlight with a four- or six-course tasting menu inspired by the drama, decadence, and defiance of Queen. Optional wine and cocktail pairings await, each as dazzling as a guitar solo and as layered as a Freddie Mercury lyric. Sip with Killer Queen, toast to Bohemian Rhapsody, and let the flavors crescendo like a rock opera. Book it here. 

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Grape School: Sip Smarter: Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique has started Grape School, a new monthly program designed to make wine education approachable, fun and community-centered. Beginning January 2026, Grape School will take place on the first Monday of every month from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Beauty Champagne & Sugar Boutique. 576 S 23rd Street in Arlington; beautychampagneandsugar.com

This Will Wake You Up (Brunch Alert): Corso Italian in Shirlington just launched a new $29 brunch, now featuring a full Espresso Martini Menu and new bubbly flights. Try different martinis like the Classic – Vodka, espresso, Kahlua, Baileys; Pinkie – Strawberries & Cream Baileys; Tiramisu – Amaretto + ladyfinger; Nutella – Frangelico + hazelnut; Affogato – Classic topped with vanilla gelato. corsoitalian.com

Sisterly Celebration: Sisters Tysons is celebrating its first anniversary with a globally unique cocktail program. The Cocktail Collection: A Thai Culinary Journey takes inspiration from Thailand’s most beloved dishes, offering an approachable yet exciting experience by weaving complex Thai flavors into recognizable classics like highballs, Old Fashioneds, and Negronis. 7735 Capital One Tower Road; .sisterstysons.com

Canned Cocktail Magic: Social Hour Applejack Crisp is a limited-release, ready-to-drink canned cocktail made with Laird's Applejack, sparkling New York apple cider, and a blend of baking spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, and cardamom. The cocktail is described as crisp, cozy, and refreshing, with an ABV of 11.5%. Learn more here.

Kicking Down the Barn Door:  SILO Distillery in Windsor has relaunched under the helm of former head distiller Erin Bell. From spirits to cider, the distillery aims to serve up barn-to-bottle bevs that showcase the best of what local growers have to offer. This includes 100% Vermont-grown corn vodka, russet apples from nearby Keene, New Hampshire, and more. Coming soon are fan-favorite varieties, including Cacao Vodka, made in partnership with Embue cacao of Brattleboro, Lemon Vodka, Maple Manhattan and Aisling tank-aged Wheat Whiskey. silodistillery.com

Cozy Classics: Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro is celebrating the holiday season with a special holiday movie cocktail menu. Inspired by classic holiday movies such as The Grinch, Home Alone, and White Christmas, you can enjoy a selection of $19 themed cocktails alongside festive Christmas decorations throughout the restaurant. Try the Sisters Sisters made with pisco, curacao, fresh lemon juice, vanilla syrup, and egg whites; The Grinch served with Belvedere, fresh pineapple juice, and sour apple schnapps; and more. 709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002; tiffanysbistrobar.com 

This Hour is Happy (Happy Hour Alert): This holiday season, both Cane and St. James are serving up traditional Caribbean food and drink. Starting with Trinidad’s answer to eggnog, Ponche de Crème is a Caribbean milk and rum punch made with Angostura 7-year rum, egg yolks, milk, lime zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and Angostura bitters, which will be available for $16 at both St. James and Cane. What sets this version apart is its bright lift of fresh lime oil, which cuts through the creaminess and gives a signature citrus note not found in American or Latin egg-based holiday punches. 403 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002; cane-dc.com

Vin Voyage: Josephine has a new Vin Voyage Club: two, four, or six bottles of varying sophistication, right at your door. Each month, you’ll take an educational journey through the landscape of France without ever leaving home. Join here. 

Bird is the Word: Service Bar’s Bird Menu takes you on a global journey through imaginative cocktails inspired by avian species and the story of “SB,” a grounded bird in search of flight. Each cocktail was crafted by a member of the Service Bar team, who chose a bird as their muse to guide the drink’s flavor, origin, and narrative. From the Barn Owl’s midnight party to the Penguin’s rescue in an oil spill, the Satanic Nightjar’s survival amid destruction, and the Kiwi’s humble sacrifice, SB’s story is a whimsical migration celebrating curiosity and the bonds that make flight possible — in every sense. 926 U St NW; servicebardc.com