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A slushee pina colada from Colada Shop — A slushee pina colada from the Wharf’s Colada Shop.

Where to Find Fine Frozen Cocktails Around D.C.

Piña coladas, frosé all day, and other icy drinks to beat the late summer heat

by Vinciane Ngomsi and Tierney Plumb Updated Sep 10, 2021, 3:50pm EDT

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A slushee pina colada from the Wharf’s Colada Shop.

| Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

by Vinciane Ngomsi and Tierney Plumb Updated Sep 10, 2021, 3:50pm EDT

D.C.’s sweltering temperatures aren’t budging anytime soon, which makes frozen cocktails the perfect way to cool off into the fall. Slushee spins on classics like the daiquiri, margarita, and piña colada can be found at many tiki-themed bars. But neighborhood bars, sports pubs, rooftop hideaways, and even an Airstream trailer parked outside Union Market are also in on the chill cocktail craze.

Restaurants are also expanding their frozen cocktail game with reimagined options, like boozy popsicles and root beer floats. Sherry, pisco, and green tea add creative flavors to the mix. Just be careful of how fast the drink goes down, or risk the ultimate pain of brain freeze.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Millie's Spring Valley

Pair seafood fare with frosé ($13) at the Nantucket-themed restaurant, which also features a $14 rum, coconut, pineapple and orange juice concoction called a Riptide.

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Millie’s Spring Valley (@milliesdc)

Also featured in:

Sonny’s Pizza

The Columbia Heights pizza joint has a diverse assortment of beverage selections, but none more interesting than the Golden Child. Made with gin, vodka, cognac, lemon and orange, pair the slushie with an entire pie, sandwich, or eggplant parmesan.

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sonny’s Pizza (@sonnyspizzadc)

Also featured in:

Tiki On 18th

Adams Morgan’s colorful tiki bar is the upstairs sibling to the Game, longtime bar manager Jo-Jo Valenzuela’s sports bar full of Filipino pub grub. Frozen concoctions served in wild glassware include a frothy take on the original Hurricane born at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans.

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tiki on 18th (@tikion18dc)

Also featured in:

The Green Zone

The unique cocktail names are enough to bring Washingtonians to The Green Zone in droves. But, it’s the combination of flavors that make the Middle Eastern bar a favorite in Adams Morgan. Developed by former Waldorf Astoria bar manager Wil P. Taylor in 1930s Cuba, the Hotel Nacional Special combines rum, apricot brandy, pineapple and lime.

2226 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Also featured in:

Provision No. 14

For something tropical, try the Forever Summer slushee at Provision 14 — a mix of rum, mint syrup, and lime for $11. Meanwhile, Moscow mule fans will want to give their frozen variety a sip. Available for takeout only.

2100 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Also featured in:

Archipelago

Archipelago is already a big hit with tiki fanatics, thanks in part to their charming beachside decor. This is the place for a frozen pina colada that pairs well with a side of Chinese takeout.

1201 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Also featured in:

HalfSmoke

HalfSmoke sends out cool cups of rose, vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. For dairy fans, there’s a whopping seven spiked shakes to choose from. The over-the-top “Hotline Bling” is adorned with strawberry, tequila, strawberry syrup, a candy necklace, rock candy stick, and a ring pop.

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Frozen cocktail fans at HalfSmoke.

Also featured in:

El Techo

Shaw’s tropical rooftop bar cools off customers with a pair of frozen drinks. La Chica Tropical is a mix of frozen Wodka vodka, lime, hibiscus, passion fruit and basil, while La Catrina works in cranberry, pineapple, guava and Monte Alba tequila.

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by El Techo (@eltechodc)

Also featured in:

Bar Pilar

The green tea slushie at the Ernest Hemingway-inspired mainstay riffs on the shot of the summer, built with bourbon, lemonade, and peach schnapps.

Search for reservations

OpenTable

1833 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Also featured in:

Electric Cool-Aid

Electric Cool-Aid features an impressive 18 frozen options. Some standouts include frozen Irish coffee, frozen mango with house-infused chili vodka and for Disney lovers, an adult spin on the Magic Kingdom treat comprised of Dole Whip colada, pineapple, coconut and rum.

512 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Electric Cool Aid (@electric_cool_aid)

Also featured in:

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

A frosé blend with vodka, Aperol, strawberry, and lemon is $15 at Pearl Dive, which unveiled an expanded patio on 14th Street NW last year.

1612 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Also featured in:

Cotton & Reed

Lukas B. Smith’s curiously mint green Cocomotion cocktail — a pina colada ($13) made with lacto-fermented coconut — continues to be a best seller at the rum distillery near Union Market.

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

The Cocomotion at Cotton & Reed.

Also featured in:

Serenata

Partner and beverage director Andra “AJ” Johnson has two frozen cocktails available for takeout at this pan-Latin bar inside the La Cosecha market. La Doña frosé has orange Curacao and seasonal fruit, and the Nova Bossa is made with cachaca, lime, orgeat, coconut milk, cava, and mango.

1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

A two-person Mar Caribe cocktail from Serenata — A Mar Caribe cocktail from Serenata

Also featured in:

Suburbia

In the summer months, Union Market’s resident Airstream-turned-bar is the spot for frozen adult beverages. The lineup from Gina Chersevani (Buffalo & Bergen) rotates weekly, and frozen cocktails start at $9 each. Two of the more popular options are the grapefruit margarita and orange crush, spiked with vodka and flavored with orange and sassafras.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Suburbia’s colorful lineup.

Tokyo Pearl

Tokyo Pearl’s frozen drink machine planted on the patio churns out tiki cocktails in every color of the rainbow that are served in sizable mason jars and topped with umbrellas and cherries.

1301 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tokyo Pearl (@tokyopearldc)

Also featured in:

The Best Places to Dine in Dupont Circle

Columbia Room

Leave it to Columbia Room to fancy up a frozen marg with Altos Reposado, sherry, salted agave, lime and a slushie spin on Spain’s wine and cola-based Kalimotxo.

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

Also featured in:

Dauphine’s

Dauphine’s brings southern hospitality to the District with its Ponchatoula Strawberry Shandy, a refreshingly frozen Shandy made with Louisiana’s own Abita Strawberry Lager.

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Patio seats at Dauphine’s are entirely covered.

Also featured in:

Casta's Rum Bar

West End’s lively Cuban bar pours rum into an array of frozen drinks, like a pina colada, daiquiri, and Havana Vice ($12 each). Large-format pitchers for four are $50.

Search for reservations

SevenRooms

1121 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casta’s Rum Bar (@castasrumbar)

Also featured in:

Farmers Fishers Bakers

There’s a tiki-themed menu at Farmers Fishers Bakers on the water in Georgetown, and many of the drinks are topped with tropical garnishes. The frozen gin and tonic and lava flow, a rum and coconut-based concoction, are house specialties.

Search for reservations

OpenTable

3000 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Also featured in:

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

Lauded bar manager Todd Thrasher’s giant tiki bar and rum distillery on the Southwest waterfront offers a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of D.C. All three frozen drinks, including a spiced rum “in” Coke, retail for $14 each. Theirs a frozen drink ‘o’ the day special for drinkers who like a little suspense.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

A frozen rum and Coke from Tiki TNT

Also featured in:

Shelter

Neighborhood Restaurant Group beverage director Greg Engert has a watermelon frosé and for those craving spice there’s the Little Bao Bao made of baijiu, rum, pineapple, coconut, Szechuan chili oil, Baltamaro Szechuan liquer and lime.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Also featured in:

Colada Shop (Multiple locations)

The expansion-minded Cuban cafe’s Wharf locale sells guave frosé slushees. Pina coladas are also sold there and at the tiny, popular shop in Logan Circle.

10 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The front facade of Colada Shop at the Wharf

Also featured in:

Agua 301

There are plenty of frozen margaritas on the menu at the waterfront Mexican restaurant in Navy Yard, but customers can order a pitcher of frozen peach sangria for something different.

Search for reservations

OpenTable

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

Also featured in:

The Salt Line

Take in views of the river while sipping on a choice of two frozen cocktails at the New England-style seafood spot in Navy Yard. The Del’s Shandy is made of vodka, lemon, and Narragansett Del’s Shandy beer while the DC Crush is a blend of vodka, triple sec, orange, and DC Brau Orange Crush spiked seltzer. Available via pickup or delivery.

Search for reservations

OpenTable

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Salt Line DC seafood

Also featured in:

Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co.

The whimsical Northern Virginia brand sends out a rotating selection of adult slushies and boozy vanilla, chocolate, or Nutella and Oreo shakes spiked with a shot of Irish cream liqueur, bourbon, or whiskey. And it’s easy to do a frozen drinks bar crawl in Shirlington Village, with delicious options from Dudley’s Ale House, Taco + Piña, Samuel Becketts, and Guapo’s.

4251 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206

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Millie's Spring Valley

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Pair seafood fare with frosé ($13) at the Nantucket-themed restaurant, which also features a $14 rum, coconut, pineapple and orange juice concoction called a Riptide.

Open in Google Maps

4866 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Millie’s Spring Valley (@milliesdc)

Sonny’s Pizza

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

The Columbia Heights pizza joint has a diverse assortment of beverage selections, but none more interesting than the Golden Child. Made with gin, vodka, cognac, lemon and orange, pair the slushie with an entire pie, sandwich, or eggplant parmesan.

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sonny’s Pizza (@sonnyspizzadc)

Tiki On 18th

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Adams Morgan’s colorful tiki bar is the upstairs sibling to the Game, longtime bar manager Jo-Jo Valenzuela’s sports bar full of Filipino pub grub. Frozen concoctions served in wild glassware include a frothy take on the original Hurricane born at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans.

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tiki on 18th (@tikion18dc)

The Green Zone

2226 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The unique cocktail names are enough to bring Washingtonians to The Green Zone in droves. But, it’s the combination of flavors that make the Middle Eastern bar a favorite in Adams Morgan. Developed by former Waldorf Astoria bar manager Wil P. Taylor in 1930s Cuba, the Hotel Nacional Special combines rum, apricot brandy, pineapple and lime.

2226 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Visit Website

Provision No. 14

2100 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

For something tropical, try the Forever Summer slushee at Provision 14 — a mix of rum, mint syrup, and lime for $11. Meanwhile, Moscow mule fans will want to give their frozen variety a sip. Available for takeout only.

2100 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Archipelago

1201 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Archipelago is already a big hit with tiki fanatics, thanks in part to their charming beachside decor. This is the place for a frozen pina colada that pairs well with a side of Chinese takeout.

1201 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

HalfSmoke

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

HalfSmoke sends out cool cups of rose, vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup. For dairy fans, there’s a whopping seven spiked shakes to choose from. The over-the-top “Hotline Bling” is adorned with strawberry, tequila, strawberry syrup, a candy necklace, rock candy stick, and a ring pop.

651 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

Frozen cocktail fans at HalfSmoke.

El Techo

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Shaw’s tropical rooftop bar cools off customers with a pair of frozen drinks. La Chica Tropical is a mix of frozen Wodka vodka, lime, hibiscus, passion fruit and basil, while La Catrina works in cranberry, pineapple, guava and Monte Alba tequila.

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by El Techo (@eltechodc)

Bar Pilar

1833 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The green tea slushie at the Ernest Hemingway-inspired mainstay riffs on the shot of the summer, built with bourbon, lemonade, and peach schnapps.

1833 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Visit Website

Electric Cool-Aid

512 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Electric Cool-Aid features an impressive 18 frozen options. Some standouts include frozen Irish coffee, frozen mango with house-infused chili vodka and for Disney lovers, an adult spin on the Magic Kingdom treat comprised of Dole Whip colada, pineapple, coconut and rum.

512 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Electric Cool Aid (@electric_cool_aid)

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

1612 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

A frosé blend with vodka, Aperol, strawberry, and lemon is $15 at Pearl Dive, which unveiled an expanded patio on 14th Street NW last year.

1612 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Visit Website

Cotton & Reed

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Lukas B. Smith’s curiously mint green Cocomotion cocktail — a pina colada ($13) made with lacto-fermented coconut — continues to be a best seller at the rum distillery near Union Market.

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Visit Website

The Cocomotion at Cotton & Reed.

Serenata

1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Partner and beverage director Andra “AJ” Johnson has two frozen cocktails available for takeout at this pan-Latin bar inside the La Cosecha market. La Doña frosé has orange Curacao and seasonal fruit, and the Nova Bossa is made with cachaca, lime, orgeat, coconut milk, cava, and mango.

1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Visit Website

A two-person Mar Caribe cocktail from Serenata — A Mar Caribe cocktail from Serenata

Suburbia

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

In the summer months, Union Market’s resident Airstream-turned-bar is the spot for frozen adult beverages. The lineup from Gina Chersevani (Buffalo & Bergen) rotates weekly, and frozen cocktails start at $9 each. Two of the more popular options are the grapefruit margarita and orange crush, spiked with vodka and flavored with orange and sassafras.

1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Suburbia’s colorful lineup.

Tokyo Pearl

1301 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

Tokyo Pearl’s frozen drink machine planted on the patio churns out tiki cocktails in every color of the rainbow that are served in sizable mason jars and topped with umbrellas and cherries.

1301 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tokyo Pearl (@tokyopearldc)

Related Maps

Columbia Room

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

Leave it to Columbia Room to fancy up a frozen marg with Altos Reposado, sherry, salted agave, lime and a slushie spin on Spain’s wine and cola-based Kalimotxo.

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

Dauphine’s

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Dauphine’s brings southern hospitality to the District with its Ponchatoula Strawberry Shandy, a refreshingly frozen Shandy made with Louisiana’s own Abita Strawberry Lager.

Open in Google Maps

1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

Patio seats at Dauphine’s are entirely covered.

Casta's Rum Bar

1121 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

West End’s lively Cuban bar pours rum into an array of frozen drinks, like a pina colada, daiquiri, and Havana Vice ($12 each). Large-format pitchers for four are $50.

Open in Google Maps

1121 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casta’s Rum Bar (@castasrumbar)

Farmers Fishers Bakers

3000 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

There’s a tiki-themed menu at Farmers Fishers Bakers on the water in Georgetown, and many of the drinks are topped with tropical garnishes. The frozen gin and tonic and lava flow, a rum and coconut-based concoction, are house specialties.

3000 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Lauded bar manager Todd Thrasher’s giant tiki bar and rum distillery on the Southwest waterfront offers a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of D.C. All three frozen drinks, including a spiced rum “in” Coke, retail for $14 each. Theirs a frozen drink ‘o’ the day special for drinkers who like a little suspense.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

A frozen rum and Coke from Tiki TNT

Shelter

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Neighborhood Restaurant Group beverage director Greg Engert has a watermelon frosé and for those craving spice there’s the Little Bao Bao made of baijiu, rum, pineapple, coconut, Szechuan chili oil, Baltamaro Szechuan liquer and lime.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

Visit Website

Colada Shop (Multiple locations)

10 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The expansion-minded Cuban cafe’s Wharf locale sells guave frosé slushees. Pina coladas are also sold there and at the tiny, popular shop in Logan Circle.

Open in Google Maps

10 Pearl St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

The front facade of Colada Shop at the Wharf

Agua 301

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

There are plenty of frozen margaritas on the menu at the waterfront Mexican restaurant in Navy Yard, but customers can order a pitcher of frozen peach sangria for something different.

301 Water St SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

Visit Website

The Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Take in views of the river while sipping on a choice of two frozen cocktails at the New England-style seafood spot in Navy Yard. The Del’s Shandy is made of vodka, lemon, and Narragansett Del’s Shandy beer while the DC Crush is a blend of vodka, triple sec, orange, and DC Brau Orange Crush spiked seltzer. Available via pickup or delivery.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Visit Website

Salt Line DC seafood

Big Buns Damn Good Burger Co.

4251 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206

The whimsical Northern Virginia brand sends out a rotating selection of adult slushies and boozy vanilla, chocolate, or Nutella and Oreo shakes spiked with a shot of Irish cream liqueur, bourbon, or whiskey. And it’s easy to do a frozen drinks bar crawl in Shirlington Village, with delicious options from Dudley’s Ale House, Taco + Piña, Samuel Becketts, and Guapo’s.

4251 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA 22206

Visit Website

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