If there’s one cocktail that’s captured DC’s imagination during the pandemic, it’s Capo Deli’s Fauci Pouchy. Sure, it’s just a boozy lemonade or an espresso martini in a plastic pouch. But the clever creation was there when Washingtonians most needed a hero and a strong drink. In April, when everyone was quarantining at home, Capo was selling more than 300 pouches on Saturday nights.
Now, the Shaw deli/”speakeasy” is trying to seize the zeitgeist again with “Piña Kamala” and “Mike Pencicillin”cocktails—just in time for tomorrow’s vice presidential debate. On sale between now and the election, the Capri Sun-style drinks will include QR codes leading to voter registration information (and after that, voting and ballot drop-off information).
The Piña Kamala contains Don Q Rum, pineapple, orange, and nutmeg. The Mike Pencicillin is a mix of Silencio Mezcal, earl-grey honey, lemon, and cardamom. Both are $14 and available for pickup or delivery on GrubHub, DoorDash, or the restaurant’s website.
As for Trump and Biden? Beverage Director Rohit Malhotra is holding off on giving them the pouchy treatment for now: “Once he went down for Covid, I was like, ‘Uhhh, I’m not sure if I should do this at this time.’ And so I’m waiting now for two weeks.”
POST-DEBATE UPDATE: Malhotra says 74-percent of the VP-themed cocktail sales went for Harris and 26-percent for Pence. He’s also adding a new label to the Mike Pencicillin with a fly on Pence’s head. “Please drink responsibly,” it reads. “You could get buzzed.”
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
