Enjoyed: Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Shoreham’s Reserve 250”

Ingredients: Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye, Laird’s Applejack, Virginia wildflower honey syrup, demerara, Angostura bitters, black walnut bitters.

The occasion: After two nights in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, we drove up through Maryland to the District of Columbia. We checked in at our favorite hotel, and soon our youngest son met us in this lounge and we toasted his dad/my husband since it was his birthday! A while later, our oldest son, his wife, and her parents all joined us and we strolled over to a pub near the zoo for a casual supper. The next day was Father’s Day, so we had a dual celebration and a little family reunion.

My rating: ***** out of 5. (I have already written about an Old Fashioned I had at the Omni Shoreham, but that one was a more basic recipe and was crafted at the restaurant bar, not in this illustrious lounge.) I enjoyed the bite of the Virginia-made rye. The apple, honey, and walnut flavors all worked together well to make a smooth and sophisticated mouthfeel. This was the most expensive drink on the menu, but I thought it was worth it.

Final thoughts: Ooooh, I love a historic bar! And I remember watching Mark Russell on PBS. This is from the hotel’s website: Since the opening date in 1930, The Marquee Bar & Lounge has been a beloved gathering place for hotel guests, locals residents and memorable names in politics and the entertainment industry. The remarkably talented Mark Russel, pianist and political satirist began his career here in the early 1960s, Russell performed nightly for two decades, offering musical commentary on political events. His performances attracted numerous politicians who became both the subject of his humor and part of his audience. His witty and politically playful performances were delivered to audiences packed with members of Congress and other political insiders.