Screwtop Wine Bar
No surprise that the Clarendon wine bar is serving a mulled wine as temperatures plummet. The red blend is mulled with spices, cranberries, orange and honey. Sit at one of the outside tables and enjoy a mugful with one of the kitchen’s hearty dishes, like roasted acorn squash stuffed with turkey, savory spices, apples, cranberries and wild rice; or a “buffaloaf” sandwich featuring ground bison, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle aioli and melted cheddar cheese on ciabatta. There’s truffle mac-n-cheese, too. //1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Dogwood Tavern
Outdoor diners have several ways to keep warm at this Falls Church pub. Start with a hot mulled cider, made adult-grade with a choice of spiced rum or cinnamon whiskey; or a chamomile toddy made with tea-infused bourbon, grapefruit and cinnamon syrup, sweet sherry and fresh lemon. Both drinks are available on site or to go in single-servings or batches for four. Dogwood has added heaters to its covered patio, as well to its covered dining space in the adjacent parking lot. Blankets are in the works for extra comfort. Add an order of spicy jambalaya with braised chicken and smoked andouille sausage for even more heat. // 132 W. Broad St., Falls Church
Samuel Beckett’s Irish Gastro Pub
The Irish pub in Shirlington is offering a twist on the classic Irish belly warmer: a pumpkin-spice Irish coffee made with Bushmill’s Irish whiskey and pumpkin liqueur. Sit on the covered, heated patio and order comfort food options like a Guinness burger on a bed of Jameson mashed potatoes, covered with Guinness gravy; Shepherd’s Pie made with ground organic lamb; or house made gnocchi in a mushroom-and-spinach cream sauce. If you take your coffee to go, sip-and-stroll rules stipulate that it must remain in the disposable cup provided by the restaurant. // 2800 S. Randolph St. #110, Arlington (Shirlington)
TTT – Tacos, Tortas & Tequila
The Mexican restaurant’s expansive rooftop patio has been transformed into a holiday oasis with evergreens, ornaments and warm tipples. The Holiday Spirit combines Bailey’s Irish Cream, whiskey, coffee and white hot chocolate, while the Jolly Toddy is a honey-lemon tea brewed with cloves and cinnamon with a splash of whiskey to take off the chill. Bringing the kids to check out the lights? A warm cranberry-apple cider punch made with ginger syrup is also available. Cocktails are not offered for take out. //2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Ruthie’s All-Day
Ruthie’s is offering house made Valrhona hot chocolate for customers of all ages, as well as several warm adult drinks to go. Guests over 21 can punch up their hot chocolate with herbaceous Green Chartreuse and the Italian digestif Averna, dark rum or bourbon. Other options include mulled cider with ginger, orange, cinnamon and bourbon or dark rum; and a classic hot toddy with rye, honey, rosemary and lemon. You can sip away on the restaurant’s spacious side patio, which has several heaters, or take your drinks to go. // 3411 5th St. S., Arlington (Arlington Heights)