It’s that time of the year in our nation’s capital. The tidal basin turns pink with the blooms of the Cherry Blossoms. Thousands of tourists from near and afar have descended upon Washington, DC to celebrate the short yet lively pink invasion of our city. The cherry blossoms transcend beyond the National Mall; they are reincarnated in many menus, cocktails, and experiences across the city. Here are a few of my favorites:
Drink
This season sparks the creativity of many local restaurants when it comes to Cherry Blossom inspired cocktails. As you enter Park Hyatt Washington, DC, you will notice the cherry blossom motif etched on its lobby walls. Move further into the Blue Duck Tavern bar and order the Park Bloom: a marriage of Japanese whiskey, cherry blossom Infused Laphroaig, orange juice, and cherry liqueur.
After an afternoon walking along the National Mall, rest your feet at Nopa Kitchen+Bar with their Cherry Blossom cocktail: a simple yet luxurious mix of aged rum and cherry puree, topped with prosecco. Perhaps you want to escape the crowds in downtown DC and head to Kyirisan for a glass of “Thank You, Mr. Ozaki.” Named for the Mayor that sent DC the Cherry Trees in 1912, this pink-hued cocktail is an updated play on the Negroni Sbagliato. The cocktail contains the sugar cane spirit Batavia Arrak, instead of gin, and the slightly bitter aperitif Cocchi Rosso lending an intense balance. Kanpai!
Eat
High tea is a luxurious treat during cherry blossom season as many of the luxury hotels merge the theme with their offerings. A favorite is the Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea at Willard Intercontinental. Some menu highlights include teriyaki-cured salmon tea sandwiches, strawberry & sesame shortbread kukki and matcha green tea scones.
Another luxury property with a beautiful tea service is the St. Regis Hotel DC. Their popular high tea has elements of the season with pink strawberry macaroons decorated with a hand painted cherry blossom motif. Enjoy your macaroons are other sweet treats with a distinctive cherry blossom black tea blend.
The Fairmont Washington has a modern take on its high tea: the treats are served in a contemporary bento box with savory and sweet choices. The cherry mini cakes and the delicate berry pannacotta is not to miss. Make sure to start your experience with a glass of sparkling rose.
Stay
Many hotels in Washington, DC offer cherry blossom, inspired packages. For the ultimate luxury, head to The Four Seasons in Georgetown. In honor of the season, the hotel is offering a 25% discount on their Capital Suite and Georgetown Suite. After a long day of sightseeing, you can treat yourself to a Cherry Blossom Champagne Body Treatment. This 80-minute treatment is the ultimate delight.
Hop on a water taxi and head to National Harbor. National Harbor is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is celebrating by planting nearly 100 cherry blossom trees along the Potomac. Escape the crowds of DC at the Gaylord National Resort and reward yourself with a cherry blossom inspired spa treatments and cocktails.
At the beautiful Mandarin Oriental, Experience the “Hanami” tradition with Cherry Blossom Picnic, which provides guests with a blanket and gourmet picnic for two to enjoy under the blossoms, conveniently located steps away from the hotel. This experience is available with their cherry blossom room package.
Local Eats
Beyond the hotels and fine dining spots, there are some great local spots that are offering some delicious cherry blossom themed offerings. Local favorite The Bird redecorated their restaurant to fit the season. Sip on cherry blossom inspired cocktails and small plates by local favorite chef Ryan Hackney.
For those with a sweet tooth: the cherry blossom doughnut at Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken is back! This is as delicious as it is instagrammable. At Buttercream Bakeshop, renowned cake designer and dessert superstar, Tiffany MacIsaac, is paying homage to the fruitful season with a cherry-picked twist on the childhood favorite, the Hoho.
The team at Drink Company is back with their Cherry Blossom pop-up bar. We wrote a full review of this gorgeous space a few weeks ago.
The Verdict
The Cherry Blossom season is one of my favorite times in the city. From luxury hotels to locally owned restaurants, there is so much creativity in the city. Most of these specials are available until mid-April, which means make your reservations ASAP.
