Where to Get Caffeinated in DC with a Boozy Twist
The first few weeks of work post-holiday season are kind of the worst: no more days off, no more leftover cookies in the office kitchen. How is one to get through the day? Fear not—the National Coffee Association feels your pain, and is encouraging everyone to help them celebrate National Coffee Break Day.
Fortunately there’s no shortage of great spots to grab a neighborhood cup or ultra hip pour-over—coffee culture in DC has had a major renaissance in the last few years. You can check out local favorites like Bloomingdales’ Big Bear Cafe, Dupont’s Filter, U Street’s The Wydown, or Shaw’s double whammy of La Colombe and brand-new Compass Coffee.
To celebrate coffee break Drink Nation-style, you can BYOF (bring your own flask) to your favorite cafe, or get fancy with one of these coffee-inspired libations.
Slipstream
Brand new Logan-circle cafe is the best of both worlds, serving up single-origin and custom blend coffees by day and swanky cocktails by night. Grab a seat at their walnut bar and enjoy all the good things in their Empire State of Grind bourbon cocktail made with coffee-infused vermouth and chocolate bitters. (333 14th St. NW; 202-450-2216)
Kapnos
Known as much for their delicious Greek tapas as for their inventive cocktail program, Kapnos has the perfect cuppa for a cold winter night. Their spiked coffee is made with becherovka liqueur, cinnamon, fennel, ginger and anise whipped cream. (2201 14th St. NW; 202-234-5000)
Mockingbird Hill
This Shaw hotspot takes its coffee as seriously as it’s signature sherries. Choose from the Black Flag Toddy (brandy, PX sherry, bitter lemon, Ethiopian coffee, shaved coffee bean and charred lemon and cherry flag), the El Cafecito (Oloroso sherry, iced coffee, Cointreau, orange bitters and egg white), or keep it simple with the Spanish Bomb (shot of sherry dropped into draft coffee). (1843 7th St. NW; 202-316-9396)
Churchkey
If beer is more your style than cocktails, we’ve got suggestions for that too. Head to the 14th Street beer emporium to sip on the rare (and adorably-named) Beer Geek Brunch Weasel from Mikkeller Brewing. This brew uses ground coffee berries sourced from Vietnam and packs a robust espresso and chocolate flavor. (1337 14th St. NW; 202-567-2576)
Brookland Pint
Sister bar to Columbia Height’s beer heaven Meridian Pint, Brookland Pint is the place to order Ballast Point Brewing Co.’s Victory at Sea, a 10% ABV Imperial Porter brewed with San Diego’s Caffe Calabria cold-brew and sweetened with vanilla. We approve of this for breakfast, coffee break, brunch, lunch, dessert or any meal in between. (716 Monroe St. NE; 202-758-2757)
Jackpot
What’s that you say? 10% ABV not enough for you? Head to this relaxed Chinatown dive for Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Stout, a knockout at 14% ABV and brewed with Intelligentsia coffee. After being aged in bourbon barrels for eight months, this ultra-rich brew is loaded with flavors of coffee, bourbon, vanilla, oak and chocolate. You could have it for breakfast, but you’re not going anywhere after. (726 7th St. NW; 202-628-5225)
Tryst
Can’t decide yet? Head to longtime Adam’s Morgan favorite hangout for coffee and eats. They’ll dress up most coffee drinks with any spirit they have at the bar on request. (2459 18th St. NW, 202-232-5500)
Photo via Tryst
