Saturday, we went to a History Happy Hour at the Willard's Round Robin Bar!
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Jim Hewes, the man behind one of the the most renowned hotel bars in America, took us through history by way of serving political secrets of the Hill: favorite cocktails of the 45 U.S. presidents. He is with his right-hand man of the evening, bartender Franklin Vasquez.
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Jim, who has been bartending at the Round Robin since it opened in '86, has served many politicians, congressmen and presidents the old-fashioned, classic way. We tried one of the favorites, President William Henry Harrison's hot spiced cider, aka "stone fence," made with cider, Grand Marnier, apply brandy, nutmeg and cinnamon. Here, KPMG's Katie Condes, Brandon Macready, KPMG's Jessi Fulton and Penn State's Eli Dennis.
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One of Round Robin's most popular drinks, made famous by Sen. Henry Clay, is the Southern-style mint julep. Guests got to go behind the bar and mix their own sugar, fresh mint, bourbon and crushed ice; the original recipe from over 200 years ago. Here, Ray Castillo, Go Joe DC Tours' Joe Brophy and Ashoka's Rachel Fauber.
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We also got to try George Washington's drink of choice, which dated us back to the late 1700s: a jack rose cocktail, made with Laird's applejack. Guests also snacked on gourmet cheeses and charcuterie. Here, Anita and George Diliberto, and Jim's wife, Mary Hewes.
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