Smith Commons introduced our lineup of winter cocktails at last night’s Winter Solstice Eve gathering. Have you tried one yet? Check out the five new drinks and their recipes, below.

Winter Solstice Eve ↑
Ketel One Oranje, Grand Marnier, fresh lemon juice, club soda, fresh mint

The Snowmageddon of 2010
Whiskey, Frangelico, Bailey’s Irish Cream, hot coffee, house-made Grand Marnier whipped cream

Maple Leaf (Blame Canada) ↑
Bulleit bourbon, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup

A Pear Tree Sans Partridge
Bulleit bourbon, pear purée, sparkling cider, soda water

Cranberry Sauce ↑
Belvedere Grapefruit, simple syrup, Champagne, cranberry juice

December 1 was World AIDS Day. In continued support of this annual day of awareness and (Belvedere) Red — as well as to make a donation to D.C.’s own Whitman-Walker Health clinic — Smith Commons is offering the Bono (Red) cocktail. This off-menu item is inspired by the U2 frontman’s tireless efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the international (Red) campaign.

Starting tonight and for the next week, we’ll be offering the Bono (Red) for $8 — and $1 of every cocktail sold will go to Whitman-Walker.

Come help us support Whitman-Walker and their invaluable efforts assisting those who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Cheers!

Aaron accepts his prize from Pilsner Urquell's brewmaster.

On Wednesday, August 10 more than 30 regional homebrewers participated in the first annual Pilsner Urquell Master Homebrewers Competition at Smith Commons, and needless to say, it was a true celebration of brews and brewmasters.

A panel of 5 judges including Vaclav Berka, the Pilsner Urquell Brew Master from Plzen rated the samples of the Czech-style beers submitted by contestants and local DC brewer Aaron Hermes (with the gold key to the city of Plzen!) took the top prize – an all expenses paid trip to the Pilsner Urquell brewery in October.

The summer issue of Uptown Magazine includes a roundup of great brunch cocktails from around the country — including our very own Tarboro Viking. Have you tried it yet?

We were pleased to see Fritz Hahn of The Washington Post feature Smith Commons in today’s Going Out Guide. Check it out for yourself! The man knows of what he speaks.