Mandu's sojutini: A sunburn slayer?

Even though it's already Wednesday, I'm still pretty pumped about the big Redskins win over Green Bay in overtime Sunday. But I'm also still sunburned from sitting in the 400 level at FedEx Field for four-plus quarters without sunscreen. I know what you're thinking: Who gets sunburned in October? I do, that's who.

So while tending to my lobster-like arms and neck with regular applications of aloe vera, I started thinking about the aloe sojutini at Mandu in Dupont Circle. Could this concoction cure my coloration?

For starters, what's a sojutini? It's a martini made with soju, a clear, rice-based Korean spirit that's similar to vodka in distillation and taste, but sweeter. Mandu shakes it up and strains it into a martini glass before topping it with aloe vera juice. The result is a cocktail that's smooth-sipping, appropriately sweet and slightly viscous, owing to the simple-syrupy texture of the plant's wholesome goop.

Now, will imbibing aloe actually help alleviate my sunburn? It has been shown to help calm an upset stomach; a sunburn? Not so much. Until I can perform some clinical trials to the contrary during Mandu's daily 4 to 7 p.m. happy hour -- when a sojutini is only $4 -- I'm going to stick with external application.

-- Alex Baldinger