The spot: Poste Moderne Brasserie, 555 Eighth St., NW; 202-783-6060

The drink: Mr. Brightside (Grey Goose L’Orange and Lillet Rouge shaken with a splash of orange juice and finished with a dash of bitters)

The price: $10

First impression: Though one of Poste’s newest concoctions for the fall, Mr. Brightside looks like a fruity summertime refreshment. Served with an orange wedge, the vodka-and-vermouth-based cocktail gives off a light citrus scent. Unfortunately, the drink’s midsummer night’s dream doesn’t carried through to the taste: The first sip was disappointingly bland.

Last impression: The flavorlessness carried through to the end. Perhaps the alcohol-to-orange-juice ratio was off, but Mr. Brightside never seemed to have, well, a bright side. According to the bartender, this $10 drink is supposed to have a classic taste—but since when does “classic” mean boring?

Grade: C-

Poste’s new fall cocktail lineup also includes tea-infused cocktails such as the Chameleon (herbal tea mixed with Bombay Sapphire, lemon verbena, and club soda), Chai Tea-ni (featuring rum and milk served hot or cold), and 555 (a lemon “teaquila”). Others on the roster: Pear of Queens (pear purée mixed with rosemary and vodka) and Tango & Cash (Bacardi rum mixed with cashew and pineapple juices).