Tall Cool Ones: TheList’s List Of Beverages

Summer drinking season in the DMV looks a little different than the rest of the year. Wine lists get lighter and colder, spritzes return to every cocktail menu in town, frozen drinks make their comeback, and bartenders start leaning into seasonal ingredients like berries and herbs and tomatoes from local farms. Even beer gardens and breweries shift into warm-weather mode with seasonal pours and outdoor events.

Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up all the can’t-miss cocktails, happy hours and summer sipping events happening around the DMV right now.

- Make a night of it with a show + a great pre or post-theatre cocktail or dinner with our theatre + dining guide (here)
- This week’s list of The List’s favorite food finds is right here
- From cocktail pop-ups and wine tastings to brewery events + summer beverage happenings around the region, we’ve got those covered here
- Looking for outdoor sipping season? Check out our Patio Pleasures + Up On The Roof roundups featuring patios, rooftops, courtyards & outdoor cocktail spots all across the DMV.

So much more glass-raising goodness below:

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Six at Six at Hay-Adams: Six at Six,” a new guided cocktail hour at Off The Record, the hotel’s celebrated bar just steps from Lafayette Square. Designed for guests who enjoy taking a closer look at what’s in the glass, Six at Six offers an intimate, seated experience at The Bench, the bar’s most sought-after seating area. Held from 6-7 pm on the last Tuesday of each month, Six at Six welcomes only six guests for an hour that feels unhurried, interactive, and quietly structured. June 30 – Gin & Jun – a bright, botanical exploration ($80.00 per person); July 28 – Vodka & Bubbles – light, celebratory cocktails that sparkle ($90.00 per person)

Rosé at the Rosewood: Join the Rosewood Hotel in Georgetown for an afternoon of rosé and Champagne, with sweeping views of the Potomac as we celebrate the start of summer and National Rosé Day in style on June 13th. Enjoy wines like 2023 Schramsberg Brut Rosé, California; Champagne Marguet, Shaman 20 Rosé Grand Cru; 2012 Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Rosé; 2024 Clos Cibonne 'Tradition,' Provence. Get tickets here. 

Lulu’s Winegarden World Cup of Wine: World Cup of Wine: Lulu’s Winegarden is hosting a global wine tasting party on June 14 featuring 25+ wines from a dozen wine-producing countries, paired with bottomless breakfast tacos and soccer matches airing throughout the space. The interactive tasting includes walkaround pours, discounted take-home bottles, and two afternoon sessions designed for wine lovers of every level; luluswinegarden.com

Who Has The Best Bubbles?: Nominations are now open for the 5th annual Top 10 Bars and Restaurants for Enjoying Champagne list, spotlighting standout venues across the U.S. that celebrate Champagne through exceptional wine programs, educational experiences, and creative events. Nominations close July 31, with the final honorees announced ahead of Champagne Day on October 23; champagne.fr/en

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Mezcal Mondays: Chef Christian Irabién and beverage director Lou Bernard are launching Humo y Maíz, a new biweekly Monday night series celebrating agave spirits, Mexican street food, and hospitality culture. Held every other Monday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., the experience features rotating mezcal cocktails, tasting flights, specialty food offerings, and guest producers. The inaugural event on June 15 spotlights Mal Bien Mezcal, known for its transparent partnerships with traditional mezcal-making families across Mexico. Designed as a lively, community-focused gathering, Humo y Maíz aims to become a go-to destination for mezcal lovers and industry professionals alike; amparofondita.com

Elegance in a Glass: The Latin American cocktail bar at La Cosecha has unveiled a fresh lineup of signature drinks designed for summer sipping. Highlights include a freezer-cold Mezcal Negroni with Aperol and Campari, a pineapple-kissed Aperol Spritz, a floral Hibiscus Cosmo, a Spicy Cucumber Margarita with serrano heat, and a Gin & Tonic elevated with St-Germain. Whether you're in the mood for something smoky, refreshing, or spirit-forward, the new menu offers a cocktail for every palate; eleganciadc.com

Supra Sodas: DC’s Georgian favorite has introduced Supra Sodas, a new lineup of all-natural house sodas inspired by Georgia’s iconic Lagidze Waters. Available now, the handcrafted flavors include Tarragon, Cherry, Orange, Grape Saperavi, Chocolate, and Cream Soda, each made in-house and served for $7.00. Guests can also add a house spirit to create their own Georgian-inspired cocktail. The launch is the latest tribute to Georgia’s rich culinary traditions from owner Jonathan Nelms, who developed the recipes after studying the famed sodas during a recent trip to the country; supradc.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Dog Haus: Celebrate National Bourbon Day with Dog Haus’ lineup of bourbon-forward cocktails, crafted to pair with its signature smashburgers, wings, and game-day favorites. Available at participating Biergarten locations, the cocktail program offers an elevated way to toast the holiday; doghaus.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Kinfolk: Kinfolk is pouring Angel's Envy all day on June 14, with neat pours for $15.00 and handcrafted Angel’s Envy Old Fashioneds for $18.00. It’s a simple, classic way to celebrate National Bourbon Day at The Wharf; kinfolk-dc.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Barbouzard: Raise a glass with the Sanaa’s Carousel, a spirit-forward cocktail featuring Edmond’s Vanilla Bourbon, Hennessy VS, apricot, Benedictine, and aromatic bitters—a sophisticated sip for bourbon enthusiasts; barbouzard.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Bar Betsie: Bourbon lovers can order the Frontera, a complex blend of Rieger’s K.C. Bourbon, PX sherry, Campari, lemon, and chocolate absinthe that balances richness with bright citrus notes; barbetsiedc.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Jane Jane: The playful Should We Be Bad? cocktail combines bourbon, cold brew, NOLA coffee liqueur, velvet falernum, and orange bitters for a bold, coffee-kissed bourbon drink worthy of the occasion; janejanedc.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Service Bar: One of DC’s top cocktail destinations is celebrating with the Surprise Surprise, a bourbon-based cocktail featuring Spanish brandy, hazelnut, apricot, Cointreau, and clarified lemon; servicebardc.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Mélange: Chef Elias Taddesse’s Shaw hotspot is serving the Golden Pressi, a tropical bourbon cocktail made with apple brandy, coconut rum, demerara, and mole bitters; melangefoods.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen + Bar: Sip on the Friar Tuck’s Fix, a refreshing mix of bonded bourbon, Benedictine, mango, ginger, honey, lemon, and a red wine float; mattandtonysva.com

(Bourbon Day Alert) Primrose: The French-inspired neighborhood favorite is featuring the Big Apple, Lil’ Torino, a bourbon cocktail blended with vermouth di Torino, Capitoline Rouge, and smoked cherry bitters; primrosedc.com

Decant in Alexandria: The beloved wine boutique has officially opened its second location in Old Town Alexandria, bringing its approachable, hospitality-driven wine experience across the Potomac. The new shop features a warm, cellar-inspired design and a thoughtfully curated selection of organic wines from small producers, creating a welcoming destination for wine lovers of all levels. They've has also launched its Summer Wine Pack 2026, a curated collection of Mediterranean-inspired wines and spritzes perfect for warm-weather gatherings. Available now for $79.00, the bundle includes Portuguese white wine, ready-to-drink Venetian spritzes, and a chilled summer red, offering an easy introduction to the boutique's signature style of accessible, high-quality wine discovery; dcanterwines.com

New at NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese: NUE has expanded its cocktail menu with two new seasonal creations: the Amber Skies, made with clarified Vietnamese coffee, Licor 43, and coffee vodka, and the Garden in the Sky, a floral blend of fig and laurel gin, rice, coconut, and pear. Inspired by the work of Vietnamese artist Lê Phổ, the cocktail program showcases Southeast Asian flavors through inventive presentations and ingredient-driven drinks, alongside a robust selection of spirit-free options; nuevietnamese.com

Love a Longer Happy Hour (Happy Hour Alert): Following the success of its spring Martini Hour, Minetta Tavern is extending the experience with new late-night hours beginning June 7. Guests can enjoy $10 classic martinis, burgers, and bar bites from 10–11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, in addition to the existing 4:30–6:30 p.m. happy hour. Highlights include the popular martini-and-burger pairings featuring Le Petite Burger or the Petite Black Label Burger, both served with pommes frites, making it an ideal stop for a nightcap in Union Market; minettatavern.com

SMYAL for Pride (Pride Alert): Pride Month begins with a June 1 launch party celebrating a month-long partnership with Rhode Island Spirits benefiting SMYAL. Guests can enjoy specialty cocktails like Forager’s Gimlets and CBW Espresso Martinis, plus music, entertainment, photo opportunities, and guest bartending from Rhode Island Spirits founder Andrea Palagi. A portion of proceeds from featured cocktails sold throughout June will support SMYAL’s work empowering LGBTQ+ youth; fountaininndc.com

Rainbow Cakes (Pride Alert): Throughout June, Unconventional Diner is partnering with Whitman-Walker to support LGBTQ+ communities. A portion of proceeds from every Cantina Mule and slice of Rainbow Layer Cake sold during Pride Month will benefit the DC-based nonprofit, which provides healthcare, advocacy, education, and support services for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities; fountaininndc.com

Yas Queens, No Kings (Pride Alert): This June, Jane Jane is marking both Pride Month and America’s 250th anniversary with “No Kings, Yas Queens!,” a month-long celebration of independence, self-expression, and community. Expect festive décor, weekly queer industry nights, guest bartenders, and a special post-Pride Parade gathering, all wrapped in the bar’s signature playful spirit. The celebration also includes to-go cocktails during the Pride Parade and support for queer-led charitable initiatives throughout the month; janejanedc.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Rosé All Day, Yay: Just in time for patio season, Chef Spike Gjerde and Wine Director Eliza Perkins have unveiled a new rosé-focused wine program at the Harbor Point bistro. The list features 17 rosés from across France, with an emphasis on organic and biodynamic producers, available by the glass and bottle. Standout pours include Commanderie de la Bargemone from Provence, Domaine de Fontsainte “Gris des Gris,” and Domaine des Vieux Pruniers Sancerre; lajeteebaltimore.com

Culinary Cocktail Collection: This summer, Royal Restaurant is blurring the line between kitchen and bar with a new Culinary Cocktail Collection from Head Bartender Joyce Clark. Inspired by favorite menu items, the playful lineup includes a Bananas Foster French Toast Daiquiri, a Jalapeño Cornbread Martini, and a Butter Lettuce Salad Martini featuring shrimp-infused vodka, herbs, and radish foam. Drawing on her culinary and pastry background, Clark brings chef-driven techniques to each drink, creating cocktails designed to be every bit as thoughtful as a plated dish; royalrestaurantva.com

New Orleans Coffee in Maryland: PJ's Coffee has opened a new location at 1703 Ritchie Station Court, Suite 100.The café sits in the Ritchie Station shopping center near Exit 13 off Interstate 495, close to Dave & Buster's, and offers a convenient drive-thru for commuters, students and nearby residents. Guests can enjoy PJ’s signature powdered-sugar-dusted beignets, seasonal Mardi Gras favorites such as the Frozen King Cake, Purple Energy and Carnival Latte, and staples including the Vienna Cold Creme and hot Café Au Lait.  pjscoffee.com

If I Ever Get Out Of Here: Kathmandu is a Himalayan-inspired cocktail bar from restaurateur Dipesh Acharya that blends the energy of Nepal’s capital with DC’s evolving nightlife scene.Head Bartender José Cox, the concept highlights house-made cordials, infusions, and ingredients sourced directly from Nepal, with signature drinks like a clarified Mango Lassi cocktail, a spiced Himalayan Old Fashioned, and a Timur Collins. Chef Shiva Nepal's focused menu of elevated Nepali tapas complements the bar. 1342 U Street NW; kathmandu-dc.com

Forget Breakfast, Cocktails at Tiffany’s: Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro recently introduced a wide selection of spring-inspired cocktails. Cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy playful drinks such as the Lion’s Bite stirred with cognac, strawberry, almond syrup, Campari, and San Pellegrino Limonata; the Galata Sunset made with vodka, mastiha (a traditional Greek liqueur made from mastic trees grown on the island of Chios), cucumber, basil, fresh lemon orange blossom, and prosecco; and the Summer Light crafted with chamomile bourbon, Heering cherry liqueur, fresh lime, and ginger beer. 709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002; .tiffanysbistrobar.com