July 2018 Cocktail Events Round-Up

We are at the start of another month, and so I offer you this list of July 2018 cocktail events in D.C.  Of course, July means hot weather (i.e. frozen drinks) and Independence Day in the District.  Note that these two things can be profitably combined:

Getting close to fireworks time. Happy 4th! (Mezcal, green Chartreuse, raspberries, watermelon, lime juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and blue decorator sugar on the rim.) . . . #cocktails #mezcal #chartreuse #raspberries #watermelons #redwhiteandblue #4thofjuly #happy4th #mixology #homebartender #homebartending #sparklers #fireworks

A post shared by Geoffrey Wyatt (@capitalcocktails) on Jul 4, 2017 at 3:06pm PDT

July also provides several opportunities to celebrate cocktails and spirits at home, bringing us National Anisette Day (July 2), National Piña Colada Day (July 10 – see recipe here), National Mojito Day (July 11), National Grand Marnier Day (July 14), National Daiquiri Day (July 19 – see my recipe for a blood orange daiquiri here), National Tequila Day (July 24 – try Ted’s Tequila Cocktail if you haven’t already), and National Scotch Day (July 27).

But if you want to escape the comfortable air conditioning of your house this month, here’s what’s happening around town:

Class:  “Project Bitters” at Reliable Tavern.  Santa Teresa 1796, maker of Venezuelan Rum, is hosting a bitters-making class at Reliable Tavern.  Learn about the history of bitters, Venezuelan chocolate, and Venezuelan rum, all while making Venezuelan chocolate bitters that you can take home and use in your mixological creations.  Tickets are free; more information here.  3655 Georgia Avenue N.W.; July 1 from 2 to 5 p.m.

“Speakeasies and Craft Cocktail Tour of the Capitol” by D.C. Urban Adventures.  Become a tourist in your own town and take one of Urban Adventures’s tours of the District, this one focused on its craft cocktail scene.  The tour promises to take you to some of best bars in town to sample the cocktails; to teach you about the history of speakeasies in the District and how to craft cocktails of your own; and to show you where to find some of the best hidden bars in Penn Quarter and Chinatown.  Tickets are $32 and up and available here (at the discounted $32 price) or here (not discounted, but more options).  All month; start times are 7:30 and 8 p.m.

“Boom with a View”:  Fourth of July at the W Hotel.  If you are looking for a rooftop from which to observe the fireworks while sipping “signature cocktails,” you could do worse than the annual celebration on the POV Terrace at the old Hotel Washington.  The event promises “vibrant beats,” “passed bites” and food stations, and to make you pay for it – tickets are $275 and available here.  515 15th Street N.W.; July 4 at 6:30 p.m.

The “Major Bars mini-series” at barmini.  Starting this month, barmini is bringing in a guest bartender for a one-night-only cocktail flight experience from some of the best bars in the world.  The series opens on July 7, with senior bartender Giannis Sitanos of the world-famous American Bar in London.  The series continues on July 28, with Aaron Diaz of the acclaimed Carnaval in Lima, Peru.  Both nights feature a flight of four cocktails and a menu signed by the guest bartender.  Tickets are $125 and available here.  501 9th Street N.W.; July 7 and 28 at 5:30, 8, and 10:15 p.m.

Cocktail and Wine Tasting:  “Sizzling Summer Cocktails, Cool Northwestern Wines” at I Ricchi.  Enjoy craft cocktails and northwestern wines along with food pairings at the West End’s I Ricchi.  The event promises a “new take on your favorite cocktails,” including variations of the Negroni and two whiskey cocktails.  Tickets are $59 and available here.  1220 19th Street N.W.; July 10 at 6 p.m.

Cocktail Class:  Cocktails with Indian Flair at Pansaari.  Pansaari offers to help you “[p]ut some spice in ya life!  Or at least in your next cocktail.”  Its mixology course will guide you in the use of spices in your cocktail creations and teach you how to make three cocktails using Indian spices and mixers.  Tickets are $55 and available here.  1603 17th Street N.W.; July 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Cocktail Class:  “(Ver)mouth Watering Drinks” at Via Umbria.  This month, Via Umbria aims to expand your knowledge of vermouth and how to use it to good effect in your cocktails.  Promising an evening of “sugar, spice, and cocktails blended with ice,” Via Umbria offers to teach you how to make the Agavoni, Martinez, and Blood and Sand cocktails – which are “sure to invigorate any summer bash!”  Tickets are $38.50 and available here.  1525 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.; July 25 at 7:30 p.m.

That’s it for July.  As always, please send me any events you’d like to see featured here!