Sunday, March 31, 2013

Artini 2013: Impressionistic Imbibing

With the advent of Spring comes the birth of several new cocktails, now making their inaugural appearances at the swanky bars of the District.  Luckily the Corcoran gives us the opportunity not only to try them, but to casually sip these tasteful (and tasty) creations all while browsing the latest collection at the museum.

Matt and I along with our dear friend Jessica, enjoyed the chance to sample some of DC lively libations last Friday evening at the annual Artini event, which is presented by the Corcoran’s 1869 Society (for art-lovers under 40 - we are patrons).  It was a vibrant evening of art, cocktails, entertainment, and dancing. The gala is the culmination of a month-long celebration in which eight mixologists from the District’s most prominent restaurants and bars compete to see who can create the most artistic martini. Each of the eight artinis is inspired by a piece of work from the Corcoran's collection. 

The competition was tight between eight of the DC’s best bars, but the winner of “Critics’ Choice” award was announced as The Gibson’s Frank Jones. His drink was inspired by Henri Regnault’s Head of a Moor.   The “Fan Favorite” winner was Joe Ambrose from POV at the W, with his cocktail inspired by Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s. 
Learn how to make my favorite cocktail of the evening from Ambar below:
The exhibition was great!  Pump Me Up: D.C. Subculture of the 1980s is the first exhibition to explore the thriving underground of Washington, D.C., during the 1980s, giving visual form to the raucous energy of graffiti, Go-Go music, and a world-renowned punk and hardcore scene.
Fashion inspiration for the drinks?  I was going for champagne cocktail, Jess could definitely be a berry martini!
One of the more interesting pieces of the evening.

And like most successful nights, we topped it off with a little trip to the W to enjoy the ambiance.


To top it off we were surprised to find our photo on Captiol File magazine the next day!

No comments: