501 Florida Ave, NW
From a press release:
“Paying homage to one of the most iconic bartending films – “Cocktail” – The Royal in LeDroit Park is flashing back to the 1980s for the latest installment of its monthly “Royal Knights” spirits exploration series, complete with the decade’s most infamous drinks – sans Tom Cruise but with plenty of flair. On Monday, December 12, guest bartenders Will Alvarez and Jake Kenny of renowned cocktail bar Columbia Room, along with The Royal’s former beverage director Horus Alvarez, who is returning to DC for just one night, will shake up their own spins on charmingly tacky film-inspired drinks of the 80s from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
“Cocktail” has inspired a generation of professional bartenders for the last 30 years. And “Royal Knights” will resurrect this bygone era, as Will Alvarez, Jake Kenny and Horus Alvarez take guests back in time to the age of flair bartending. The menu features eight cocktails (all $8), inspired by everything from the first drink Cruise is asked to make (the Cuba Libre), Cruise’s go-to hangover cure (the Red Eye), Tiki culture, and of course, many of the decade’s infamous cocktails such as the Sex On The Beach, Long Island Iced Tea, Appletini and Midori Sour.
Will and Jake, who bartend at the award-winning Columbia Room, have collaborated on the following cocktails:
WHAT’S A CUBA LIBRE?
Cola Syrup, Bittercube Trinity Bitters, Dry Sparkling Wine
THE RED EYE
Fords Gin, Heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract, Orange Blossom Water, Egg White, Rich Simple Syrup, Lemon, Lime, Sparkling Mineral Water
WORKERS AND HUSTLERS
El Dorado 5-Year Rum, Laphroaig 10-year, Orgeat, Lemon, Rich Simple Syrup, Bittercube Bolivar Bitters
3 TOED SLOTH
Marie Duffau Armagnac, De Montal VS Armagnac, Williams & Humbert Oloroso Sherry, Rich Simple Syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters, Angostura Bitters
And Horus, who is returning to DC for one night from his new bar home at The Eddy in Providence, RI, has created the following drinks:
IN MEMORY OF THE LONG ISLAND
Fidencio Mezcal, Rujero Singani, El Dorado Dark Rum, Maison Rouge VS, Citrus, Bittercube Jamaican Bitters
SEX ON WHAT BEACH?
Ford’s Gin, Peach Puree, Apple Juice, Cranberry Bitters
APPLETINIS & DREAMS
Copper & Kings Apple Brandy, American Spiked Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice, Lemon, Egg White, Bittermen’s Winter Melon Bitters
‘DINGALING’ MY FERNET
Fernet Francisco, Sparkling Wine, Ginger
The Royal will also air the film ‘Cocktail’ throughout the night on the bar’s projector screen.
This is part of The Royal’s monthly “Royal Knights” spirits exploration series, which shines the spotlight on craft spirits, lesser-known liqueurs, and the creative people who make them, hosting guest-bartenders from around the country and introducing guests to creative new brands in the booze industry.
The Royal’s monthly “Royal Knights” industry nights are free and open to the public, running from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the second Monday of every month.”
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