With cocktail menus around town filled with exotic concoctions going for up to $14, it’s tempting to go for a familiar martini — or just skip cocktails altogether. But if you do that, you’ll miss out on the unique creations of the D.C. area’s many talented mixologists.

Take bar manager Stephen Warner’s Porch Swing at Eventide Restaurant in Arlington. It’s made with elderflower liqueur, house-made strawberry water, rhubarb bitters, mint and cava. It’s light and not too sweet, and you can make enough to fill a punch bowl (see recipe). I’m from Brazil, so I was eager to taste their Carioca, made with Agua Luca cachaça (a Brazilian liqueur made from fermented sugar cane), lemon juice, wildflower honey syrup and bitters. I was surprised at how well-balanced the mixture was. The original Old Dog, New Tricks, an ideal aperitif, is a delightful mix of Canadian Club 12 Year, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, asperol, lemon juice and a smoked salt rim that accents the drink perfectly. With fall around the corner, try their Winter Coffee, made with espresso syrup and allspice liqueur. Last but not least is the Pick Pocket, made with Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve, Lillet Blanc, vanilla syrup and lemon juice. There’s a story behind its name: In the early goings of Eventide, a group of ladies came into the bar and asked Warner to make them a drink with Wild Turkey. As Warner gave them their drinks, he mentioned he was trying to figure out a name for it. They suggested he name the drink Pick Pocket because they had just been pickpocketed in Arlington. The name stuck.