Alexandria Drinking Spots Share their Favorite Fall Cocktails

We asked six Alexandria restaurants to spill the secrets on their seasonal cocktails

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Fall has arrived and with it, chillier temperatures. It’s time to put away the clear liquors and white wines of summer in favor of darker whiskeys, bourbons and brandies paired with the flavors of apples, pumpkin, citrus and spices like cinnamon, clove and ginger.

We asked six Alexandria establishments known for their cocktails to share their favorite fall recipes for warming up the season.

Try your hand at whipping up one of these cocktails yourself, or if your bartending skills are a little rusty, consider leaving it to the professionals and visit or order a cocktail to go from one of the local restaurants below.

Captain Gregory’s

This dinner and cocktail lounge is located at 804 N. Henry St. in the same building as Elizabeth’s Counter. The indoor space has an intimate, speakeasy feel while the outdoor patio will be a seasonal pop-up. They are currently serving fall and Halloween cocktails which will be rotating to a winter and Christmas theme in November. Captain Gregory’s is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. –  9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Highland Harvest: Smokey, balanced, notes of red apple and ginger, rich honey notes

Recipe:

  • 1 oz Laphroig Scotch
  • 1 oz Laird Apple Brandy
  • .75 oz Honey Syrup (2:1 honey to water)
  • .25 oz Ginger Juice
  • .75 oz Lemon Juice
  • 1 Egg White

Shake all ingredients together vigorously in cocktail shaker, add ice, shake until chilled.  Double strain into chilled coupe.

Up With The Full Moon: Spirit forward dessert sipper with notes of caramel and baking spices.

Recipe:

  • 1.5 oz Old Overholt Bonded Rye
  • .75 oz Amaro Averna
  • .5 oz Espresso
  • .25 oz. Burnt Sugar Syrup (caramelize sugar 1:1 with water, 2 cloves, 2 juniper berries and 1 cinnamon stick)

Stir until chilled, garnish with grated nutmeg.

King & Rye

The newly opened restaurant serves Southern-inspired dishes and a fine collection of whiskey and bourbon. It is located at 480 King St. at the Alexandrian Hotel. The King & Rye will have heated winter wonderland igloos in their courtyard from Dec. 2 – Jan. 30 offering a safe dining experience for guests. King & Rye is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fall Fashioned: Combines the perfect flavors of fall into our favorite classic whiskey cocktail. 

  • 2 oz Old Forester Rye
  • .5 oz House Made Spiced Syrup
  • 3 dashes Cranberry Bitters

Combine rye, syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir for 20 rotations. Pour into a double Old Fashioned glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel. 

Spiced Syrup

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 whole cloves

Bring all ingredients to a boil and let spices steep for 20 minutes. Let syrup cool before using in cocktail.

Hops 'N Shine

This Del Ray restaurant and bar, at 3410 Mount Vernon Ave., is known for its selection of beer and moonshine. Some of its seasonal house made moonshines include pumpkin spice, salted caramel and gingerbread. It boasts a large outdoor dining space with a fire pit and offers a variety of specialty diet menu options. Hops 'N Shine is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. for carryout and delivery).

Not Your Mother’s Hot Cocoa: House made pumpkin spice moonshine, hot chocolate, fresh whip cream and rainbow sprinkles.

Recipe:

  • 1.5 ounces of house made pumpkin spice moonshine (or substitute another moonshine or flavored vodka)
  • 6 ounces of your favorite hot cocoa recipe
  • Fresh whip cream – use a lot!
  • Rainbow sprinkles

Pour the moonshine in first, then the hot cocoa. Make sure to leave enough room to top with whipped cream and sprinkles

The People’s Drug

This former drugstore-turned-cocktail hotspot is known for its unique offering of drinks and gifted bartender Jon Schott. The menu also includes gourmet sandwiches and healthy bowls. Play around with the ingredients of one of Schott’s latest creations or better yet, order one to go to enjoy from the comfort of home! The People’s Drug is located at 103 N Alfred St. and is open from 3 p.m. – 10 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Smoked Cider Margarita

  • Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
  • Caramelized Cider Syrup
  • Pressed Apple Juice
  • Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
  • Apple Bitters
  • Honey Salted Walnut Crumble

River Bend Bistro and Wine Bar

Take in the beautiful fall foliage along Fort Hunt Road while you make your way to River Bend Bistro and Wine Bar, at 7966 Fort Hunt Road in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center. Enjoy comfort foods made from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients while sipping a glass of quality wine or a cocktail. River Bend Bistro and Wine Bar is open Sunday through Thursday from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Apple Cider Margarita

Chill a martini glass. In a tumbler 1/2 filled with ice, mix the following:

  • 3 parts your favorite Tequila
  • 1 part Triple Sec
  • 1/2 Fresh Lime (juiced)
  • 2 part your favorite Apple Cider (we use one from our local farmers market)

Line chilled martini glass with a sugar cinnamon mixture. Cover tumbler with a pint glass and shake for approx. 40 shakes, strain into pre-set martini glass and garnish with an apple slice.

Vola's Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

One of Alexandria's most popular restaurant destinations is Alexandria Restaurant Partner's Vola's Dockside Grill. With a large number of seating right along the water, it offers magnificent views of the boat dock and the Potomac River. Enjoy a wide-variety of seafood dishes, tacos from Riverside Taco Company or unique cocktails from Hi-Tide Lounge. Vola's is currently open 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Sunday. 

Fall Whiskey Sour

  • 1.5 oz Filibuster Whiskey
  • 1 oz Lemon Juice
  • 1 oz Cinnamon Nutmeg Infused Simple Syrup
  • 1 ea Egg White

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