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When:
April 9, 2018 @ 9:00 PM – April 10, 2018 @ 1:00 AM
2018-04-09T21:00:00-04:00
2018-04-10T01:00:00-04:00
Where:
Royal
501 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
USA
501 Florida Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
USA
Cost:
Free
Contact:
Monday, April 9 is International Gin & Tonic Day, and Royal in LeDroit Park is paying homage to the classic cocktail with decidedly un-classic, creative interpretations at “Tonic-Con,” the latest edition of its monthly “Royal Knights” cocktail pop-up series. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. special guest bartender Nicole Hassoun, gin distiller at Jos. A. Magnus & Co. will collaborate with Royal’s head bartenders Jake Kenny and Alonzo Freeman on a one-night menu of inventive G&Ts, offered at $8 all night.
The Gin & Tonic dates back to the 19th century, when British officers in India looked for palatable ways to fight malaria. Quinine, sourced from the bark of the cinchona tree, served as a main ingredient in tonic water, and was used medicinally. Officers received a daily dose of tonic, but, looking for ways to cut the bitterness, added sugar, lime and gin, creating the first iteration of what we now know as the G&T.
Hassoun, Kenny and Freeman each add their own twists to the traditional two-ingredient drink, such as making house seasonal tonics, molecular tonic ‘pearls,’ using unique local and Spanish-made gins, and even infusing cinchona bark into herbal liqueurs.
Hassoun, who currently serves as gin distiller at DC’s own Jos. A. Magnus & Co.distillery, is a gin enthusiast, having made a name for herself at local gin-centric bars Gin Joint and Wisdom. For Tonic-Con, she will make her own seasonal tonic and bitters, and incorporate Magnus’ own Vigilant dry and navy strength gins, in the following cocktails:
- GETTING FIGGY WITH IT, combining Magnus’ Navy Strength Gin with a house hibiscus-fig tonic, and house smoked lemon bitters.
- BIG TROUBLE, LITTLE DISTRICT, made with Magnus’ District Dry Gin, Calisaya(an Italian herbal liqueur infused with cinchona bark and other botanicals), dry curacao, and lemon, topped with a Capitoline Tiber foam.
In the COLEY FIGHTS MALARIA, Royal’s Jake Kenny makes his own “Tonic Fernet” by infusing Fernet Branca with cinchona bark, combined with Mahon Gin from Spain, and sweet vermouth.
And Royal’s Alonzo Freeman gets molecular with ADRIA’S MIRACLE ELIXIR, made withFords Gin, a house cucumber-rosemary tonic and tonic ‘pearls.’
Other evening specials include $3 canned brews from beer sponsor Atlas Brew Works,$6 “Tonic Fernet” boilermakers and $10 handmade roasted chicken and vegetarian tamales, served until 1a.m.
This is part of The Royal’s monthly “Royal Knights” event series, where on the second Monday of each month, they focus on a new batch of 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.
Next month’s “Royal Knights” will take place on Monday, May 14th, themed “April Showers Bring May Flower {Cocktails}” featuring edible flower-infused syrups, floral spirits and liqueurs, and blossom garnishes.
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. Details for subsequent “Royal Knights” nights will be announced closer to each event. For more information, please visit www.theroyaldc.com or call 202-332-7777.
WHO: Royal
Bar Managers Jake Kenny and Alonzo Freeman
Guest Bartender Nicole Hassoun of Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
WHEN: Monday, April 9, 2018
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
WHERE: Royal
ABOUT ROYAL
Royal is a classic corner neighborhood spot located in Washington, DC’s historic LeDroit Park neighborhood at 501 Florida Avenue, NW. A coffee shop and lunch spot by day, and an intimate bar and casual eatery by night, Royal is a unique all-day destination for morning coffee and breakfast, leisurely lunch, after-work cocktails and simple yet creative, grill-centric fare. Opened in June 2015, Royal bridges the hip Bloomingdale and Shaw neighborhoods and is LeDroit Park’s newest neighborhood joint.
The second project from restaurateur Paul Carlson, along with his family, the quaint split-level, 45-seat gathering place offers a welcoming open bar area, second-floor loft-style dining area and outdoor patio seating. Royal is open seven days a week, Sunday–Monday8am-12am, Tuesday-Thursday 8am-1am, and Friday-Saturday 8am–2am. For more information, please visit www.theroyaldc.com or call 202-332-7777.
