The Rickey Was Declared DC's Native Cocktail at the JW Marriott Washington, DC (original) (raw)

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - Aug 25, 2011) - It is official; Washington, DC now has an official cocktail, the Rickey. Thanks to the tireless efforts of writer and acclaimed bartender Derek Brown along with historian and author Garrett Peck, the Rickey is now in league with DC's official flower, the American Beauty Rose and the official bird, the wood thrush.

The Rickey is not a new cocktail. It was born in the 1880s at Shoomakers Bar, a popular hangout for Congressmen, and the current site of the luxury Washington DC hotel, the JW Marriott Washington, DC, 1331 E Street, to bartender George A. Williamson. However, it wasn't until July 17, 2011 that this over 120 year old drink was declared DC's native cocktail. The Rickey is a classic and very refreshing mixed drink that is made from gin (or bourbon), lime juice and club soda. The cocktail is a good alternative to a Gin and Tonic, and it got its name from the lobbyist Colonel "Joe" Rickey, who used to entertain elected officials in the area lounges.

In commemoration of the occasion, the JW Marriott, a hotel with luxury meeting rooms in Washington, DC hosted an event at the hotel's 1331 Bar & Lounge, where special guests were in attendance. This included guests like a number of bartenders from the DC Craft Bartenders Guild, author and historian Garrett Peck and writer and bartender Derek Brown. Also in attendance were DC Councilman Jack Evans and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who presented the JW Marriott's 1331 Bar & Lounge with a plaque commemorating the birthplace of the Rickey and Shoomakers cocktails. DC Councilman Jack Evans read the proclamation which officially declared the Rickey as DC's native cocktail and named the month of July Rickey month for the District of Columbia.

For the remainder of July, Rickeys were sold for half-price at the JW Marriott Washington, DC. Travelers can taste DC's official cocktail at this luxury hotel in Washington DC, since the JW Marriott hotel will continue to serve the classic concoction at its 1331 Bar and Lounge. In addition to this, the hotel's management asked Derek Brown to train their bartenders to craft the real Rickey.

Classic Rickey Recipe: *Juice of 1 lime
*2 ounces gin
*Club soda
*Lime wedge for garnish
Add some ice to a highball glass. Then add the 2 ounce of gin and lime juice to the glass with the ice. Add the club soda, use the lime to garnish and serve.

As one of the premier Washington DC hotels near Smithsonian Museum, the JW Marriott Washington, DC is located near some of the most recognizable landmarks. This luxury Downtown Washington hotel offers guests 772 luxurious rooms and suites that are equipped with high-speed Internet access, 37" HD TVs and the plush Marriott Revive bedding and accessories. Guests of the JW Marriott Washington, DC hotel will also enjoy the hotel's Concierge Lounge, which serves continental breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres and snacks for all to enjoy.

About the JW Marriott Washington, DC The JW Marriott Washington, DC offers travelers a prestigious place to stay when visiting the DC area. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue the hotel is one of the hotels with restaurants in Washington DC near the White House where travelers can enjoy a wide selection of delicious meals. This luxury Washington DC hotel will offer guests convenient access to many of DC's attractions, including the National Mall, the renowned monuments, the National Air and Space Museum, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and many other cultural venues via the Washington, DC Metro system. This hotel is also a premier meeting location in DC, and it offers guests and meeting planners 22 meeting rooms and over 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

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Amanda Nichols

July 17, 2011, the Rickey was declared DC's native cocktail. ...