CAPITOL HILL: Ambar Debuts New Cocktails to Toast Summer & Expands the Rakia Tasting Challenge

Photo: Goranfoto

Ambar, the nation’s capital’s first Balkan restaurant, has announced the introduction of new summer cocktails to its bar menu.  Guests can cool down and sip on handcrafted signature cocktails on Ambar's 10-seat sidewalk patio or four-season rooftop terrace.  As an added bonus, every Wednesday guests can enjoy half-priced signature cocktails from 4 p.m. to close.

Photo: Goranfoto

 New cocktails being featured this summer include Ultimate Gin & Tonic with Hendricks and Fever Tree tonic, garnish with peeled cucumber; Rakija Gimlet with lemon-infused grappa, lemon juice and simple syrup, garnished with a sugar rim and candied lemon wheel; Visnja Sour with cherry infused plum rakia, lime juice, simply syrup infused with cherries and a spray of absinth, garnished with maraschino cherry; Negroni Punch, house-made aged negroni with strawberry infused grappa, lime juice, ginger syrup, mango puree, topped with ginger ale and garnished with strawberry, as well as the Berry Daisy with rail vodka, mix berry puree, sour mix, and garnished with a lemon wheel. Cocktails range in price from $9 to $13.

Photo: Goranfoto

Diners can enjoy Ambar's popular Rakia Tasting Challenge featuring classic versions of the beverage, produced by distilling fermented plums or apricots, as well as unique varietals made from cherry, pear and even honey.  Over the course of six months, guests have the opportunity to complete a Rakia Tasting Card.  Those who finish 1.5 ounces of all 52 Rakia flavors are eligible to win a grand prize of a special 750 ML Rakia bottle.  Fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to sample new additions such as Gruzanska nit Plum; Gruzanska nit Quince; Kruna Grape; Zaric Quince; Zaric Plum; Zaric Raspberry; Zaric Pear; Zlatna Apricot; Zlatna Quince, and Zlatna Plum.  Rakia ranges in price from $8 to $12.

Photo: Goranfoto

Currently rated #1 on TripAdvisor for Washington, DC, Ambar is located at 523 8th Street, SE. (just steps from the Eastern Market metro accessible on the orange and blue lines).

The restaurant takes reservations and walk-ins are welcome.  It is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for dinner Sunday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 11p.m.  Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For additional information call 202-813-3039 and visit www.ambarrestaurant.com.