Washington, D.C
Cherry blossom-themed high tea, cocktails and other treats in the DC area – WTOP News
Here are some of the delightful and crave-worthy cherry blossom foods you can find in restaurants in the D.C. area.
Cherry blossoms are a big deal in the D.C. area. Every year, there is a flurry of excitement over when to expect peak bloom and what to expect during this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Some notable past stories from WTOP include exploring the little-known history behind D.C.’s oldest, original cherry blossoms, diving into the citywide tradition of decorating front porches with cherry blossom decorations and featuring the lasting legacy of one of the Tidal Basin’s most beloved trees.
WTOP staff have even taste-tested local, cherry blossom-inspired treats and found out how you can tell the difference between various types of cherry blossom trees.
For those who are in need of delicious treats to celebrate the season, WTOP has you covered once again. From high tea to desserts and beyond, here are some of the delightful and crave-worthy cherry blossom foods you can find in the D.C. area.
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Where to find boozy cherry blossom-themed high tea in DC
Cherry blossom-themed high tea
If you like to live the high life with high tea, here are a few hotels and other businesses offering themed options during the cherry blossom season.
- Moonraker at Pendry Hotel (D.C.): High tea with a cherry blossom-inspired twist and “Sakura specials” on the menu, priced at $80 per person. Also available is an interactive “Cherry Blossom Paint & Sip Experience,” priced at $75 per person.
- Park Hyatt (D.C.): Tableside tea service offered in the Tea Cellar on Saturdays and Sundays, priced at $110 per person.
- Willard InterContinental (D.C.): Afternoon tea is available in the “Peacock Alley” space on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, priced at $90 per adult or $105 with a glass of Champagne and $65 per child.
- Quadrant Bar & Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton (D.C.): “Cherry Blossom Tea Time” is available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, priced at $88 per person.
- CUT at Rosewood Hotel (D.C.): Starting March 15, Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant is debuting the “Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea” menu, offered on Saturdays and Sundays. The experience is priced at $85 per person or $105 per person with a glass of Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne, French 75 or Hugo Spritz.
Cherry blossom-themed cocktails and mocktails
For a list of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to consider in the D.C. area, hit up the following D.C.-area restaurants and bars. Please note that these offerings are temporary, may vary and may not be the only cherry blossom specials available at these locations.
- Ciel Social Club at AC Hotel (D.C.): This rooftop bar is decked out from head to toe in cherry blossom decor and is serving a wide selection of seasonal cocktails and food specials. Some worth looking forward to include the “Lychee Martini” with Skyy Vodka, sake, lychee juice, yuzu and orgeat, the “Yuzu Aperol Spritz” with Aperol, cava and yuzu, and the “Japanese Black Manhattan” with High West Bourbon, Averna Amaro, Japanese sweet vermouth and umami and angostura bitters.
- ilili (D.C.): For those craving a nonalcoholic option, ilili has a zero-proof mocktail, bottled in-house and made with a hibiscus and rosehips cordial, rose water and lime juice.
- SABABA (D.C.): “Tokyo Red” with Suntory whiskey, Luxardo, cherry hibiscus syrup and yuzu juice, and the “Melon Spring Elixir” with Barr Hill gin, Midori, lemon juice and mint syrup.
- China Chilcano (D.C.): “Hanami Ember” with Suntori Toki Whiskey, Mancino Sakura Vermouth and Aperol, “Kyoto Bloom” with Roku Gin, Mancino Sakura Vermouth, Green Chartreuse and a Campari wash of the glass and “Sakura Drift” with Kiyomi Rum, raspberry and lime.
- Chang Chang (D.C.) and NiHao (Arlington, Virginia.): Both restaurants will serve a sakura blossom sochu-based cocktail with Sloe Gin, Tutti Frutti, plum cordial, Peychaud’s and lemon.
- Bresca (D.C.): “Just a Whisper” with sakura syrup, yellow chartreuse, Roku Gin, dragon god, soda and a strawberry Calpico foam.
- Ambar (various locations): “Cherried & Spiced” with gin, pear rakia, cherry-cardamom syrup and lime juice.
- Royal Restaurant (Alexandria, Va.): “Cherry Blossom Sangria” with brut rosé, Lustau blanc vermouth, cherry juice and orange flower water.
- The Majestic (Alexandria, Va.): “Cherry Blossom Sangria” with sweet vermouth, tart cherry juice, sparkling wine and simple syrup, topped with a twist of orange peel.
Cherry blossom-inspired mains, desserts and other sweet and savory treats
For those with a seasonal sweet tooth, check out the following restaurants and shops for their treats. Please note that these offerings are temporary, may vary and may not be the only cherry blossom specials available at these locations.
- SABABA (D.C.): “Cherry Blossom Sundae” with cherry blossom ice cream topped with candied almond and white sesame.
- a.kitchen+bar (D.C.): The various specials include a raw scallop dish with rhubarb, tarragon and sakura shuyo, with mains such as a lamb shoulder with fregola sardo, hakerie turnips and watercress. Two desserts to expect include a hibiscus panna cotta and a chocolate tahini sorbet.
- Bar Japonais (D.C.): Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino, the executive chef and Sushi Nakazawa alum, launched his inaugural omakase menu. Expect 15 courses of specials, which include a cherry blossom-steamed sushi, firefly squid and cherry salmon. These specials are also be available à la carte.
- Zaytinya (D.C.): “Manour Cream with Cherries” with sweetened tart cherries, Greek balsamic pickled dry cherries, candied almonds and tarragon, and “Ekmek Kadayif” with kataifi, chocolate mousse, cherry compote, toasted pistachio, chocolate crumble and milk sorbet.
- Jaleo (D.C.): “Gazpacho de cerezas con queso de cabra,” which is a chilled Spanish soup with cherries and goat cheese, “Panceta con cerezas y pure de patata,” which is a confit pork belly with cherries, a cherry demi-glace and potato puree, and “Sherry Blossom Parfait” with cherry marmalade, vanilla yogurt mouse, cherry granita, olive oil, pistachios and cherries.
- China Chilcano (D.C.): “Cherry Blossom Panna Cotta” with Sichuan cherry compote, yuzu and almonds. Other seasonal treats include a crab rangoon and a “Sakura Crystal Dumpling.”
- CUT at Rosewood Hotel (D.C.): The “Cherry Blossom Tasting Menu” encompasses three cherry blossom-inspired courses with dishes that include skull island prawn with sunflower seed and a cherry gremolata as an appetizer, a cherry wood-smoked short rib as a main and, for dessert, a strawberry and cherry blossom caramelized shortcake with basil stracciatella gelato. The experience is priced at $85 per person with wine pairings available for an additional fee.
- Ambar (various locations): “Hot Chocolate Brownie” with red tart cherry compote, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and hazelnuts.
- Immigrant Food (various locations): “Cherry Blossom Tres Leches” with freeze-dried strawberries and three types of milk.
- NiHao (Arlington, Va.): “Sakura Cherry Swiss Roll” with a traditional Swiss roll with cherry jam and sakura powder.
Other cherry blossom offerings worth exploring
Once again, the immersive digital art gallery, known as ARTECHOUSE, has brought back a cherry blossom-inspired exhibition. This year, the exhibition, called “Blooming Wonders: A Best-of-Spring Exhibition,” combines larger-than-life floral landscapes with interactive, themed installations. The exhibition runs through the end of April.
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4 things to know about the weather:
- Grab the umbrella
- Big temperature ranges
- Thunder possible Thursday night
- Warmer days on the way
Heads up commuters! For Thursday morning, there will be some thick fog in spots with some rain possible, especially around the Mason-Dixon line. The fog should clear out by 10 a.m.
Throughout the day, some sunshine should develop with highs warming into the low 60s. Those in Northern Maryland could see some showers throughout the day but those near the D.C. area will stay relatively dry except for a stray shower or two.
Some rain and evening storms by 8 p.m. will impact the area Thursday night. Although it’s a bit unusual for this time of year, don’t be surprised if you hear thunder Thursday evening.
Warmer temperatures coming this weekend
These next few days will come with some major forecast challenges.
Much, much warmer air is just to our south and cold, high pressure is moving into New England. The front separating the 40s from the 70s will be laying right across our region for the next two to three days.
So keep in mind, when you’re looking at the forecast highs in the text below, that it will be warmest in Fredericksburg, VA and coolest in northern Maryland.
Friday’s weather will be similar as a front system remains just over the area, separating chilly air to the north and warmer air to the south. There might be a stray shower or two, too.
For the weekend, Saturday looks to be the warmer of the two days with highs in the low to mid 70s. Some rain overnight Saturday will lead to cooler temperatures on Sunday.
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
THURSDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Stray Shower Possible
Big Temperature Range
Wind: Southeast 5 mph
Chance of Rain: 40%
HIGHS: 62° to 72°
THURSDAY NIGHT:
Cloudy And Chilly
Rain Likely
Some Thunder Possible
Wind: Northeast 5 mph
Chance Of Rain: 70%
LOWS: 44° to 54°
FRIDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler For Most
Isolated Shower Or Two
Wind: East 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 52° to 68°
SATURDAY:
Partly Sunny
Breezy And Warmer
Isolated Shower
Wind: Southwest 10-20 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 66° to 78°
SUNDAY:
Mostly Cloudy
Cooler
Few Showers Possible
Wind: Northwest 5-15 mph
Chance of Rain: 20%
HIGHS: 64° to 72°
Sunrise: 6:35 Sunset: 6:05
Average High: 53° Average Low: 36°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
WASHINGTON (7News) — D.C. taxpayers may be confused by back-and-forth between the D.C. City Council and Congress over taxprovision. The city’s financial officer sent a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson, that said the District’s tax laws will not change, despite recent actions by Congress.
7News spoke to director of Tax Policy at the Center for American Progress Corey Husak to explain the complicated tax policy.
“The short answer is, nothing changes. Filing Season can continue as it has been, continue as planned, and according to the laws as we understood them in January,” said Husak.
“If you’ve already filed your taxes, you don’t have to change anything. And if you want to file your taxes, the rules are still the same as they were on the books before,” said Husak.
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Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee’s revenue estimate issued Friday does not include an estimated $180 million expected this fiscal year from the city’s decoupling law, “due to the uncertainty of the associated revenue as a result of Joint Resolution 142,” according to a released letter.
“The CFO was in a tough spot here. If he agreed with Congress, then businesses and overtime workers will get bigger refunds. But if he agreed with the Mayor and the Attorney General, then families with children and lower income workers would get bigger tax cuts,” said Husak.
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“We as District residents can’t control, you know what happens in the courts, what happens in, you know, what Congress does in the future,” said Husak. “But for now, the CFO has said, you know this is, this is a law as it stands, and the law that I’m going to enforce so, you know, file your legally obligated taxes, and maybe in the future, there’ll be a surprise.”
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW
7News spoke to director of Tax Policy at the Center for American Progress Corey Husak to explain the complicated tax policy (7News).{ }
WASHINGTON (7News) — The nation’s capital is just about ready to be transformed into a breathtaking pastel landscape of cherry trees in bloom. The famed blossoms around the Tidal Basin are not only a symbol of spring’s arrival, but also of a long-standing friendship — a gift of more than 3,000 trees from Tokyo, Japan, to the United States in 1912.
So what is considered “Peak Bloom”?
The National Park Service (NPS) defines peak bloom as the time when at least 70% of the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin have opened their blossoms. This is the period when the blossoms appear most full and spectacular and most ideal for photos, and soaking up spring’s beauty here in DC.
Because cherry trees respond to the cumulative effects of winter and spring weather, especially daily temperatures, it’s very difficult to predict peak bloom more than about 10 days in advance. Warm spells accelerate blooming; cold snaps slow it down.
Average Timing — What History Shows
Since 1921 overall, national data indicate peak bloom typically fell around early April (April 4), based on historical averages.
Since 1990, the average has kept shifting earlier and earlier. In fact, the last 6 years our peak has occurred in late March.
These shifts reflect how warmer springs have nudged peak bloom earlier over the decades.
Earliest & Latest Blooms on Record
Earliest peak bloom: March 15 — recorded in 1990.
Latest peak bloom: April 18 — recorded in 1958.
Of course, most years fall between those dates, with the last week of March to the first week of April historically being the most consistent window for peak bloom.
Earliest Peak Bloom Washington DC
Recent peak blooms show how variable and climate-dependent the timing can be:
2025: The National Park Service predicted peak bloom between March 28–31 (and confirmed the official peak around March 28).
2024: Peak bloom arrived very early, on March 17, several days ahead of NPS projections — tied for one of the earliest peaks in decades.
These examples demonstrate not only how much each season can differ, but also a trend toward earlier spring blossoms in recent years.
What to Expect for Spring 2026
As of early March 2026, the cherry trees are still dormant. The buds haven’t begun significant growth yet. The weather will become more critical in the weeks leading up to the bloom will be the biggest factor in determining when peak bloom happens in 2026.
Heavy winter cold, as experienced this year, tends to delay bloom compared with recent early springs. In contrast, an early warm stretch could push peak bloom earlier — as long as it doesn’t come with subsequent frost.
Look for the green bud stage first. This is when the buds are small, tight, and green, with no sign of petals yet. Trees are still several weeks from blooming.
Tips for Cherry Blossom Visitors
Plan in the “sweet spot” — peak bloom often lasts a few days to about a week, but weather (rain, wind, heat) can shorten that window.
Visit slightly before or after the predicted peak dates for smaller crowds and extended color. Blossoms can be gorgeous even before 70% bloom or as petals begin falling.
Check NPS updates and First Alert Weather forecasts in late March for tweaked peak bloom dates.
The cherry blossoms of Washington, D.C. remain one of the most iconic harbingers of spring in the U.S., and while exact bloom dates vary year-to-year, history and natural patterns point to late March through early April as your best bet for seeing the Tidal Basin in full floral glory.
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