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By DCist contributor Rachel Mastandrea
Dish of the week: The Hot Toddy
Where to find it: Service Bar, Takoda, Denson Liquor Bar, Provision 14, Boundary Stone
Baby, it’s cold outside! But don’t let the winter weather keep you from going out. Celebrate the season and warm up with a hot toddy. The drink is most commonly comprised of a liquor (usually whiskey, bourbon, or brandy), lemon, honey or sugar, hot water, and a tea bag, though many leave out the tea. It’s a drink for those who want to be able to taste their liquor. Some even say that a hot toddy wards off the common cold, which at least one scientific study bears out.
The classic is a soothing, boozy cocktail, but some versions up the ante by playing with different herbs, mixers, and liquors. With National Hot Toddy Day coming up on Jan. 11, these are five favorite spots in D.C. serving up some of the hot drink.
As the saying goes, if it aint broke, don’t fix it! There are a few spots around the city where you can enjoy the classic with little tinkering. Denson Liquor Bar (600 F St., NW) is a cozy, dimly-lit cocktail bar below Fuel Pizza near the Verizon Center. They’re offering a traditional toddy with scotch, Irish whiskey, becherovka (herbal bitters), honey, and lemon. Have a seat at one of their leather booths and settle in for the night. Or, head over to Boundary Stone (116 Rhode Island Ave., NW) in Bloomingdale for their traditional and premium toddy made with their hand-selected Woodford Reserve—a small batch, artisanal made bourbon.
For those wanting to try a slightly jazzed-up version of the drink, check out Takoda (715 Florida Ave. NW). They’re crafting theirs with a cinnamon brown sugar syrup and Earl Grey tea. Sip it in the main dining room or on the year-round (heated) rooftop with its panoramic view of Florida Ave. & U St.
And finally, the most adventurous folks will want to stop by Service Bar (928 U St. NW) for the rotating selection of complex, delicious takes on the toddy. One, the Almond, is offered daily. It’s comprised of roasted almond tea, Spanish brandy, Don Ciccio Nocino (a walnut liqueur), and Carpano Antica vermouth. There are three others that rotate through the menu, depending on the day, including the Saffron (saffron water, honey, Rhum JM VO, and clarified lime); Cardamom (cardamom infused evaporated milk, and bourbon); and Citrus (citrus burst tea, Crown Royal Rye, clarified lemon, honey, and lavender). Provision 14 (2100 14th St. NW) has a distinctive toddy too, made with pumpkin spice Oolong tea, honey, lemon, bourbon, and apple cider.
