Though it may take a special occasion to throw down for one of the restaurant’s famous tasting menus (which ring in at $75 for seven courses and $95 for 10), a drink in the polished bar is a relatively budget-friendly way to get a taste of the good life on any day.  A multiple wine-pairing program makes it easy to sample vino from Italy, California and South Africa over a lingering meal, and at just $19, the entree/dessert combos from the bar lunch menu (available Monday-Friday, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM) leave spare change for a power cocktail or two.

The Fitzgerald Crawford is a favorite seasonal sip; it combines house-infused cinnamon and clove cognac with Honeycrisp apple shrub in hot water, all topped with cinnamon-and-orange foam, torched like crème brulée for a carmelized effect. Just pace yourself on this one--it’s deceivingly smooth. Lighterweights would be well-advised to try the Mattie Lynn, which is a sweet concoction of peach blossom tea, lavender syrup, pomegranate liqueur and Hangar One vodka, all garnished with lemon-lavender pate de fruit.

In the mood for something more bold? The Il Precopio martini is a macho mix of bourbon, spiced syrup and tobacco-smoked cherries. We also loved the wintry touch of a Campari-soaked marshmallow in the Tentare Feito, which combines bourbon with orange, lemon and basil. One of the best parts are the steel spoon straws that come standard in every drink--all the better for stirring and sipping.

With a total of nine intriguing cocktails on the winter drink menu (PDF), you’ll need to go back at least once. Just remember to stay hydrated now that the filtered water is free!

427 11th St. NW; 202-546-0088