The Liquid Muse

Cherry Blossom (Hay) Fever?

Oya - The Great Escape

Its that time of year when the banks of the Potomac burst into color, tourists descend upon Washington like locusts, and Springtime allergies make your head feel like its filled with cotton.

Avoid the crowds and self-medicate at elegant and stylish Oya, this weekend, where the locals know how the Cherry Blossom Festival is really celebrated… with a drink!

All month, Oya features a flight of 3 rosé wines (for a reasonable $12): Bon Bon Rosé from South Australia, Domaine Aubert la Chapelle Pineau d'Aunis Rosé from the Loire Valley of France, and Kluge Estate 'Albemarle' Rosé, from Virginia.

There are also two specialty cocktails: The Blossomtini is made with Effen Black Cherry Vanilla Vodka, Paringa Sparkling Shiraz wine, sour mix and grenadine. And, the Rose Bud made with Shakers Rose Vodka, a specialty vodka made from Minnesota wheat and infused with rose flavor and currently available only at OYA in the Washington , D.C. area.

Stick around for dessert (it goes so well with booze, after all) and dip into the White Chocolate Cherry Napoleon. A tower of thin white chocolate wafers layered with a cherry crème chantilly and set over a confit of pomegranate-cherries.

Now, that is that's what I call a festival! (Just don’t tell the tourists…)