By Fran Holuba
Spicy and sweet, El Luchador Rosa will have you coming back for more. (Photo by Fran Holuba)
Summer came early to the W Washington’s POV rooftop lounge for the sold-out Summer Cocktail Launch Party. Gilt City packed the carnival-themed terrace bar with thirsty patrons eager to try the latest libations courtesy of mixologist Joseph Ambrose.
Guests mingled amidst playful retro carnival games such as soda smash, pinball and a hammerhead whack-a-mole arcade manned by models donning Lululemon Athletica beach gear.
Passed mini caramel apples, cotton candy cones, fried churros in strawberry rhubarb dip, frozen chocolate-covered banana bites and corn dogs kept summer taste buds in high anticipation for summer. Rounding off the boardwalk was a Dolce Gelati Gelato station and the W Hotel’s very own Bliss Beach bar offering mini spa treatments.
Despite the marvels, the very adult carnival goers stayed predominately focused on the four crafted cocktails off the new summer menu. Seasonal fruit was the winning ticket for the Bourbon Summer Sour with fresh muddled watermelon and the Raspberry Gin Sour, a fresh raspberry treat. Fresh seasonal fruit also star in the French Reception, a spin on the bramble classic cocktail with blackberries and St-Germain elderflower liqueur topped with Champagne.
But one cocktail fought — or rather “wrestled” — its way to win most-popular summer sips.
Joseph Ambrose's El Luchador Rosa takes first in POV Rooftop's Summer Cocktail Launch Party at the W Hotel (Photo by Fran Holuba)
El Luchador Rosa, the pink wrestler, was a ubiquitous sight in the hands of guests, and for good reason. The tequila-based cocktail sweetened with fresh raspberries and topped off with custom Pork Barrel Hellfire Bitters for a spicy kick tickled palates all night long.
POV W Hotel welcomes summer through rosa-colored cocktail glasses.
