Nine months into a global pandemic, the easiest home “cocktail” is arguably whiskey in a glass, ice optional. It’s a 10-second adult beverage — one that requires no fresh juices or syrups but that leaves much to be desired in flavor and complexity.

For something more sophisticated with just as little effort and a lot more dignity, consider a locally made ready-to-drink cocktail. If you’re not sure of your options, we’re here to help. Grab some ice and pour one of these small-batch, local products:

Tenth Ward Distilling Company
55 E Patrick St., Frederick

This woman-founded Frederick distillery has made a name locally for its distinct products, which include an absinthe and a smoked-corn white whiskey. That kind of out-of-the-box thinking inspired its newly launched canned cocktails, featuring twists on two classics. The corpse reviver (a best-seller in the distillery’s tasting room), is made with Tenth Ward’s absinthe and Genever style gin, along with chai-vanilla simple syrup, lemon, and lavender bitters.

“I’m hoping that you get to drink something that’s delicious and also adventurous,” says founder Monica Pearce.

The smoked whiskey sour is made from Tenth Ward’s smoked corn whiskey with additions of lemon, honey, ginger and bitters. Pearce foresees rolling out more choices, like a margarita or a seasonal mule, when warmer weather returns.

Pearce is reluctant to call the canned cocktails a pandemic pivot. She sees the new offerings as a small business reacting to the wants and needs of customers, she says. Packs of the canned cocktails are available for purchase (MSRP $16 for four) at various D.C. shops, including Sherry’s Fine Wine and Spirits, Schneider’s of Capitol Hill, and Wardman Wines.

Republic Restoratives
1369 New York Ave. NE

This Ivy City distillery, also female owned, launched its first ready-to-drink cocktail in fall 2019. The American Trilogy is a barrel-aged blend of of rye whiskey, apple brandy, demerara sugar and orange bitters. Owner Pia Carusone says it already had steady sales, but only really took off once the pandemic hit.

“We wanted to keep developing along that route because people were so excited about it,” Carusone says. “Having anything new to offer people is important right now. We’re all kind of limited in what we can do and shop for.”

Recent ready-to-drink additions at Republic Restoratives are both booze-forward, ideal for sipping on cold evenings. The black Manhattan spends two-to-four weeks inside a barrel with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Averna amaro. There’s also the boulevardier (Carusone calls it a personal favorite), a full-bodied cocktail with equal parts bourbon, vermouth, and amaro from neighboring Don Ciccio & Figli.

“We stick to the classics. We think those are the best and there’s no reason to go far beyond. We take precision super seriously, and that’s what shines through in these cocktails,” Carusone says.

Bottles are $39 for 750 ml each, available for pickup at the distillery or via online order.

Don Ciccio & Figli
1907 Fairview Ave. NE

Known for producing more than a dozen Italian-inspired liqueurs, Ivy City’s Don Ciccio & Figli entered the bottled cocktail market in summer 2020, helping take the mystery out of mixing up these bitter recipes. Their Perla cocktails include a classic negroni as well as a white (“bianco”) rendition, ideal for year-round sipping. The walnut old fashioned and cherry manhattan proved popular in the tasting room and will take the chill out of the winter months. There’s a canned spritz too, just waiting to be chilled and cracked open for brunch.

“They were very popular at the bar before we had to shut down,” says owner Francesco Amodeo of developing the Perla lineup. “It was a very easy decision to essentially bottle what we were already seeing people enjoy the most.”

Since the pandemic, Don Ciccio has also released a 15-product “Discovery Kit,” allowing for an at-home tasting room experience, complete with an online video to walk them through the process.

Perla cocktail prices range from $25 to $52 dollars and can be purchased online for on-site pickup, home delivery or shipping.