by contributor Wendy Gordon
Photo credit: Rebecca Fernandez
While most of us thought the X Factor was a television show replete with judges critique, snarky comments and the occasional real talent, The Renaissance Dupont Circle’s M Bar seems to have taken that factor to a whole new level: They added cocktails and deleted the snark.
In fact, THIS X Factor not only features the muses of several local personalities from writers to winemakers, fashion to art-enistas, but better – it benefits the Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for children’s hospitals……..
Nevin Martell, Kate Bennett, Michael Clement, Juleanna Glover, Marcus Johnson
Available through December 31 will be a selection of libations specially crafted by master mixologists Ari and Micah Wilder for Diageo, with inspiration from lobbyist Juleanna Glover, food writer Nevin Martel, award winning Jazz artist Marcus Johnson, Michael Clement of Art Jamz and Kate Bennett, Fashion Editor of Washingtonian Magazine.
Martell’s Poison Apple is a combo of smoky 10 year old McAllister Scotch with bitters; smoked apple, and (wait for it…) BACON!! “If you can eat bacon, drink Scotch and help children all at the same time, it has to be a good thing,” Martell said. Marcus Johnson of Flo wine has a cocktail entitled the “Flo Nouveau” that uses wine as the base of the cocktail with nutmeg, rum and more. “You know if you have one of these, you’ll be nice for the evening,” Johnson says.
Nevin Martell
The last offering of RX cocktails were inspired by Amanda McClements, DC’s resident food connoisseur and founder of Metrocurean, Mark Drapeau of Microsoft, Svetlana Legetic, the mastermind behind Brightest Young Things, Winston Lord of Venga and last season’s winner Rich Amons of The Real Housewives of DC. Amanda McClements’ Briar Patch cocktail was a crowd favorite and helped the hotel raise more than $4,500 for the Children’s Miracle Network to date.
It’s the holiday season (or at least that’s what retailers seem to be telling us since Halloween)–perfect time to get on Santa’s good list by having a cocktail for a cause. Maybe try all five—but not at once. Doubt if Santa in into stretchers and IV fluids.
