Try DC's Official Cocktail in Georgetown During Rickey Month

July is Rickey Month and Georgetowners can quaff their thirst with this refreshing cocktail, the official cocktail of D.C., at Bourbon Steak (2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW).

The Rickey is a simple cocktail generally consisting of a base spirit, carbonated water and lime juice. It is said to have been made first in 1883 at Shoomaker's bar, where the J.W. Marriott currently sits. 

In July 2011, Councilman Jack Evans declared the Rickey as D.C.'s native cocktail and that July would become Rickey month in DC.

He also passed a ceremonial resolution in the District Council that in part reads: "The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the Rickey as the native cocktail of Washington, D.C. and declares the month of July as 'Rickey Month' in the District of Columbia."

That same resolution says of the Rickey, "During the warm District summers, the responsible consumption of Rickeys by those of legal drinking age is said to be 'air conditioning in a glass'." 

At Bourbon Steak mixologist Duane Sylvestre created his own spin on the Rickey, called the Neve Joelle. Sylvestre's version features a strawberry and bay leaf soda and Cointreau serves as the primary spirit, according to a press release. To add a creamy texture, he shakes the cocktail up with egg white. Extra strawberry and bay leaf soda is served on the side. 

You can also enjoy a Rickey at Brasserie Beck where it goes by the name Tricky Rickey. That version features that standard lime juice and soda water, but takes it up a notch with Cointreau and a housemade vanilla-jalapeño syrup.

Enjoy!