Washington, D.C. (December 5, 2012)— Beverage Director Michael King of Ashok Bajaj’s Italian hot spot Bibiana has created 25 new seasonally inspired drinks; a countdown to December 25th and the merrymaking holidays. Cocktails like the Vin Brule served warm and made with mulled wine and spices are more tempting than a partridge in a pear tree! The Hazelnut Old Fashioned, made with Hazelnut infused Filibuster bourbon, orange and cherry is sure to make guests feel jolly while the bubbly Café Corrector with Prosecco Grappa, espresso and lemon air is perfect for toasting. These cocktails will start shaking on November 30th so guests can experience a new libation every evening through December 24th and each is priced at $12.
Additionally, Bibiana is serving house-made Rosolio, a traditional liqueur distilled from the peel of lemons, mandarin, fennel or other ingredients most commonly found throughout the Amalfi Coast. Beverage Director Michael King is making his own version of the natural liqueur and according to the Neapolitan tradition, Rosolio is must for savoring after coffee. It can be served at room temperature or cold, like a digestive or aperitif. Every Italian has an opinion on the best way to enjoy Rosolio as some like it plain, some enjoy adding tonic water, and some feel it is best to add in Champagne or Prosecco.
For the perfect pairing, Executive Chef Nicholas Stefanelli has debuted a selection of snacks for guests to enjoy for sipping holiday cocktails exclusively at the 12-seat bar. Standout items not to be missed include the Cotechie, black truffle pork skins; the Ceci, fried chick peas with chile, salt and vinegar; the Costa di Agnello, lamb ribs glazed with Sherry vinegar and soda, as well as the Chippollini Agro-dolce, sweet and sour cippolini onions. Prices range from $2 to $10 each. The new holiday cocktails are as follows:
1. Vin Brule: Mulled Wine, Spices Served Warm
2. Hot Chocolate with Cognac and House-made Cardamom marshmallow
3. Sbagliato: Campari, Cochi Vermouth, Prosecco
4. Café Correcto: Espresso, Prosecco Grappa, Lemon Air
5. Hazelnut Old Fashion: Hazelnut infused Filibuster Bourbon, Orange, Cherry
6. Hot & Cold Gin Fizz
7. Cranberry Bourbon Smash
8. Carino: Grey Goose, Quince & Pear Jam, Lemon, Honey
9. Affogato Martini: Grey Goose, Kahula, Espresso, Gelato
10. Italian 75: Blood Orange, Prosecco, Gin
11. Classic Eggnog with a Twist: Pedro Ximenez, Benedictine, Buffalo Trace
12. Amari Cup: Cucumber, Averna, Fernet Branca, Lemon, Lime, Gassoza
13. Sanguinella: Bourbon, Luxardo Maraschino, Campari, Blood Orange Juice
14. Hot Buttered Rum: Rum, Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon
15. Speciale: Ginger Infused Vodka, Grapefruit, Cherry Bitter, Rosemary Tincture
16. Fichi: Maker’s Mark, Pureed Figs, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Sugar
17. Tropicale: Vodka, Aperol, Grilled Pineapple Juice, Passion Fruit, Lime
18. Francesca: Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Creme de Violette, Luxardo Maraschino, Lemon
19. Pimms: Figs, Balsamic Syrup, Amaro Montenegro, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Lime, Rosemary, Grapefruit Juice and Bitters
20. Forte: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Orange, Ginger, Maple, Lemon
21. Cranberry Apple Sour: Bourbon, Apple Cider, Cranberry
22. Aged Negroni: Barrel Aged for 12 months
23. Variopinto: Prosecco Grappa, Orange, Honey, Fig, Ginger, Rosemary Tincture
24. Acero Sprezzatura: Buffalo Trace, Maple Syrup, Nonino Amaro, Orange
25. Vespa: Ketel One, Bombay Sapphire, Cochi Americano, Tangello Bitter, Ginger
Bibiana opens weekdays for lunch from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and dinner is served from 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM Monday through Wednesday, and 5:30 PM to 11 PM Thursday through Saturday. The restaurant is located close to Metro Center at 1100 New York Avenue, NW, at the corner of 12th and H Streets in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C. For more information, please call (202) 216-9550 or visit the website at www.bibianadc.com.