Polls getting you down? Whip up a low-cal Detox, courtesy of Todd Thrasher at PX in Old Town Alexandria, or head out on the town for a bender than won’t require two aspirins in the morning.
Trip: Firefly, 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, b/t N & O Sts. (202-861-1310).
Sip: For ladies making babies, the gin and tonic (Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. tonic syrup and gin soda) is zero proof.
Tip: New bar manager Jon Harris just introduced booze-inspired nonalcoholic sodas, cocktails, and a nightly punchbowl.
Trip: Hank’s Oyster Bar, 633 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, b/t 6th & 7th Sts. (202-733-1971).
Sip: Squeezed Melons (honeydew and cantaloupe water, cinnamon, mint, and vodka or gin).
Tip: Resident mixtress Gina Chersevani is the pirate queen of the 100-calorie craft cocktail in D.C. (She designed the offerings at PS 7’s.)
Trip: J&G Steakhouse, 515 15th St. NW, at Pennsylvania Ave., inside the W (202-661-2440).
Sip: Choose (if you must) between the cucumber martini (Bluecoat gin, cucumber, mint) and grapefruit gimlet (Charbay ruby red grapefruit vodka, lime juice, agave).
Tip: Drink in the view of the U.S. Treasury from the dining room.
Trip: Lincoln Restaurant, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, b/t L & M Sts. (202-386-9200).
Sip: A vivid, if earthy, Gettysburg Address (Square One Botanical vodka, açai, beet puree, ginger, lemon).
Tip: Four score and seven beers ago …
Trip: Ripple, 3417 Connecticut Ave. NW, b/t Ordway & Macomb Sts. (202-244-7995).
Sip: Bar manager Josh Berner’s Caprese Salad (olive oil-washed vodka, basil-tomato water, and thyme tincture) is so popular, he’s been teaching classes on how to make it and other “washed” infusions.
Tip: Pair with composed seasonal plates like spiced leg of venison with beet stems, apple tahini, crispy ham, and cumin yogurt.
Trip: Quench, 9712 Traville Gateway Dr., at Shady Grove Rd., Rockville (301-424-8650).
Sip: Look beyond the label and pick one of the regretfully named Skinniez, like the Ginger Rogers (Hendrick’s gin, ginger, lime) or Dooley Noted (Shochu, mint, cucumber water).
Tip: Polish off an order — or two — of Cracky Snack (popcorn, peanuts, and curry caramel).
Trip: Ris, 2275 L St. NW, at 23rd St. (202-730-2500).
Sip: Bloody Wasabi (vodka, cucumber, tomato juice, wasabi) or add vodka to the cucumber-cantaloupe lemonade.
Tip: Join chef Riz Lacoste, unofficial ambassador to Allthingsinmoderationistan, for her daily power walk.
The fiscal year may be over, but someone’s still watching your bottom line.
Photo: Courtesy of Lincoln Restaurant
