Bartenders Shake Up Earthquake-Themed Cocktails

Following a that rattled much of the Washington, D.C., region Tuesday afternoon, some local businesses were quick to cash in on the earthquake buzz.

At on St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda, bartenders were whipping up earthquake-themed shots and drinks.

The $4 “Earthquake” cocktail – whiskey, orange juice and amaretto – was accompanied by the “Aftershock” shot, otherwise known as Goldschläger with a touch of grenadine.

“Drink engineers” at the British pub chain wasted no time pulling together the specials – they began offering it just a few hours after the quake shook the downtown, leaving operating partner Johnny “Nitro” Natoli wondering whether demolition had begun on a construction project across the street.

"I walked out on St. Elmo Avenue, and everyone was outside on their cell phones trying to make calls," Natoli said.

Elsewhere in town, at on Arlington Road, “shaken not stirred" earthquake special rail martinis were being offered for $5.90 (marking the quake's ranking on the Richter scale, of course.)

At Union Jacks, it was too early to tell early Tuesday evening whether the drinks have been popular among patrons.

“We’re going to put it up on the chalkboard and run it all night,” Natoli said of the specials.

He invited quake-shaken residents to stop by the pub for a drink.

“Have an Aftershock shot,” he advised, “and hold on to your barstools.”