I love summer. I also love Rosé wine. So a rose garden is kind of a dream come true for me. In DC, several new Rosé gardens have opened up, one of which is at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C. The restaurant’s popular fine dining restaurant, Westend Bistro, will convert their outdoor patio into a rose garden every Friday evening, from May 5th onwards. The rose garden will feature a special menu, which I had the pleasure of sampling on opening night.
The Rosé Garden Menu
While there is a list of roses by the glass, as well as a lovely sparkling Rosé flight, the beverage menu goes way beyond just Rosé wine. The restaurant’s resident mixologist has come up with a series of Rosé-inspired cocktails, all of which are quintessential spring beverages.
The Cocktails
My favorite cocktail at the Ritz Rosé Garden was the ‘Rosie’s 75, a twist on the classic French 75. Made with lavender infused gin, St. Germain, lemon sherbert (which is actually just muddles lemon peel, not sorbet) and sparkling wine, it is super refreshing. I may be biased because I love sparkling wine, but it is a great cocktail to kick off your evening.
More Rosé Cocktails
Another one I enjoyed immensely was the Petals and Peaches. Not too sweet, with just the right amount of tartness, this cocktail is made with Lillet Rosé, Giffard Crème de Peche, grapefruit juice, grapefruit bitters and sparkling rosé. Adorned with a flower, it is tastes just as good as it looks.
Finally, if you want something really cool and crisp get the Pimms and Proper, which is served over ice and features Pimms No. 1, sparkling wine, ginger syrup, orange sherbert, fresh lemon juice, and cucumber water. The cucumber water has a cooling effect, and the drink is very smooth and easy to imbibe.
The Food
Of course, it’s not all about drinks at this Rosé garden; there is a menu of snacks created by Chef Alvin Dela Cruz to enhance your Westend rose garden experience. My favorite was the baked goat cheese, which comes with warm figs and a pile of crunchy crostini for dipping. It comes in a beautiful glassware with a lid and is optimal for sharing with your friends.
The Verdict
Check out West End’s Rosé garden this Friday from 4:30-7pm, before everyone else hears about it and it becomes impossible to get a seat on their cozy patio!
Ritz Carlton Washington, DC, 1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC, Website
These cocktails look amazing. I feel like visiting DC only to try this place out. The pics are beautiful.
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