TRANSFORMATION
FIREFLY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
In the traditionally LGBT neighborhood of Dupont Circle lies Firefly, a chic and friendly cocktail bar where you can experience this drink whose name is truly appropriate. It’s actually two drinks in one. Lead bartender Brendan Ambrose first makes an aviation cocktail: this vintage gin-based drink, a deep blue-purple in hue from maraschino liqueur and crème de violette, would be unusual enough. What Ambrose does, though, is even more interesting: he freezes it into ice cubes. He then makes a gimlet with gin and Firefly’s own basil-lime cordial, which results in a pale green drink, into which he places the aviation cube. As the ice slowly melts into the drink, the purple color spreads throughout, until what used to be a bright green drink has turned a dark shade of purple, a shade reflected in the flower garnishes grown in the Firefly’s own rooftop garden. Word of advice: sip it slowly so you don’t polish off the gimlet before the transformation occurs! 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington DC. Tel: 202-861-1310. www.firefly-dc.com
Firefly
