Every March, a Pepto-Bismol-colored barrage of cherry blossom concoctions overtakes D.C. As a sweet treat connoisseur, I can tell you some are sweet tourist concoctions that guarantee an instant cavity, but some are worth a special trip.
P.S. I’ve set aside my qualm that “cherry blossom-flavored” items often taste like cherries when the trees don’t even produce fruit 🙄Because yummy is yummy no matter what.
Cherry Blossom Doughnuts: Astro Doughnuts
Astro is bringing back their Cherry Blossom doughnuts with a tart red cherry jam filling and a decorative cream cheese glaze.
Sakura Mochi An Pan: Saku Saku Flakerie
A cherry blossom-shaped mochi bun with real cherry blossom flavor and filled with white bean paste, which the bakery brought back in suitcases from Japan. It makes for a gently sweet and slightly umami spring treat.
Sakura Matcha: E-Tea
Made with bright green matcha and strawberry cream on top, you can also add any of your favorite milk tea toppings like boba or aloe vera. E-Tea also has a seasonal cherry blossom coconut milk tea as well.
Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea: CUT By Wolfgang Puck
Why choose one sweet treat when you can have them all? Settle into a tower of cherry blossom-themed pastries and teeny-tiny sandwiches with a pot of fresh tea or champagne.
Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea service at the CUT. (Photo Courtesy Rosewood Washington, D.C.)
Liquor Infused Cherry Blossom Ice Cream: Tipsy Scoop
Never too early for ice cream season. This cherry ice cream is infused with Hatozaki Japanese Whisky as well as yuzu bitters and lemon. It has up to 5% alcohol though, so be warned.
Cherry Cheesecake Cupcake: Georgetown Cupcake
A cherry cheesecake cupcake with a graham cracker crust and topped with a cherry infused frosting. They also have their classic cherry blossom flavor and a white chocolate cherry option.
Cherry Pavlova: Un je ne sais Quoi
Dupont’s favorite bakery has yet to release its yearly cherry blossom special, but rumor is it’s going to be a cherry pavlova with crisp meringue and fresh cherries.
Cherry Blossom Cupcake: Baked & Wired
Bakes & Wired is bringing back this seasonal cupcake on March 22. It is a vanilla cake with maraschino cherries and topped with a maraschino cherry buttercream.
