6 Seasonal Cocktails To Try Now

With names like Santa Baby and Almond Joy to the World, these are drinks worth sipping.

Old Fusion Cocktail — Area restaurants are serving a host of seasonal drinks, such as the Old Fusion cocktail at Sparrow Room. (Photo by Kimberly Kong)

Why eat an Almond Joy when you can drink one? (Photo courtesy of MacMillan Whisky Room)

The winter holidays are a time to savor the good things in life, and cocktails are no exception. Restaurants in and around Arlington are adding seasonal drinks to their menus, putting playful spins on the classics. Here are six beverages worth trying right now:

The Black Manhattan at Rosslyn food hall Assembly blends dark rye with Amaro Averna. (Photo by NOM Digital)

Almond Joy to the World at MacMillan Whisky Room

Savor a candy bar in liquid form at this Mosaic District watering hole. The Almond Joy to the World blends private barrel, 100 proof rye whiskey with orgeat syrup and chocolate bitters, and tops things off with a cinnamon stick and orange peel. $14. // 2920 District Ave., Suite 155, Fairfax (Mosaic District)

The No. 1 Export at Sparrow Room is an ode to coffee and chestnuts. (Photo by Kimberly Kong)

Black Manhattan at Assembly

Sip this moody take on the classic cocktail from year-old Rosslyn food hall Assembly. Get lost in a sea of Basil Hayden dark rye, Italian liqueur Amaro Averna, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. $14. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)

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No. 1 Export at Sparrow Room

Mahjong destination and speakeasy Sparrow Room is offering a few seasonal drinks this winter, including Pear Face (vodka, house Chinese pear liqueur, St. George spiced pear liqueur) and Old Fusion (bourbon; duck sauce syrup; peach, plum and Angostura bitters). The No. 1 Export pairs cognac with chestnut-espresso syrup, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, black walnut bitters, Amaro Averna and Fino sherry chestnut foam. We dare you to order just one. $13. // 1201 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)

B Livesanta Baby — The Santa Baby at Clarendon eatery B Live is topped with a torched marshmallow. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Santa Baby at B Live

This Clarendon restaurant and music venue is celebrating the winter holidays with not one but seven specialty cocktails. Among them is the Santa Baby—it may look like regular hot chocolate, but below its torched marshmallow is a swirl of green chartreuse liqueur. $13. // 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)

Sip on Irish whiskey with chai-flavored honey with the Timeless Toddy from The Salt Line. (Photo courtesy of The Salt Line)

Timeless Toddy at The Salt Line

The Salt Line, known for its inventive adult beverages, has a trio of seasonal sips on the menu, including the bourbon-infused TSL PSL (featuring pumpkin pie syrup, coffee, whipped cream, cinnamon) and the Crisscross Applesauce, made with pineapple rum and apple cider. The Timeless Toddy blends Irish whiskey, lemon and chai-flavored honey. $12. // 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)

The Wilson Boulevardier is topped with an aroma bubble, releasing a citrus haze before it’s consumed. (Photo by Albert Ting)

Wilson Boulevardier at Wilson Hardware

Recently revamped Wilson Hardware is serving up its spin on this wintry cocktail with a flash of drama. The drink subs out Campari for Aperol mixed with Sazerac rye bourbon and cocoa bitters. But get your smartphone camera ready when it’s delivered; a citrus aroma bubble served atop the glass will unleash a fragrant haze as you approach that first sip. $13. //2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)