Where to Drink Orange Crushes Closer to Home

Pretend it's a beach weekend

by Meredith Bethune Jul 21, 2016, 2:00pm EDT

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Orange Crush at Mission

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by Meredith Bethune Jul 21, 2016, 2:00pm EDT

Maryland's favorite drink — the Orange Crush — is taking over D.C. What started as a summer tradition in Ocean City is now appearing in plenty of local bars and restaurants. Even Nationals Park is getting in on the trend.

Harborside Bar & Grill in West Ocean City is known for creating the Orange Crush but most bars in the area will make the drink. Marylanders typically sip Orange Crushes while hanging out at the breach.

In Ocean City, bars typically stick to the traditional combination of basic vodka, triple sec, and the juice from one whole orange. It's all crushed over ice with and finished with a splash of Sprite or Sierra Mist.

Restaurants and bars in the D.C. area, like Suma in Bethesda and Orange Anchor in Georgetown, are loyal to the traditional Orange Crush recipe. Of course, others are putting their own spin on the drink to appeal to D.C.'s sophisticated drinking crowd. DC Reynolds even adds Aperol and Port City Wit beer to their version while Duke's Grocery makes the drink with blood oranges.

—Additional reporting by Tim Ebner

Cantina Marina

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Look no further for waterfront Orange Crush needs. Skeptical drinking buddies might opt for a margarita or Michelada instead. And after a few too many drinks in the sun, soak it up with some nachos.

600 Water St SW, Washington, D.C. 20024

(202) 554-8396

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DC Reynolds

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The Orange Crush gets a little upgrade with a splash of Aperol and Porty City Optimal Wit at this Petworth neighborhood bar.

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3628 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

(202) 506-7178

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Duke's Grocery

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At Duke's Grocery in Dupont Circle, get a Crush made with blood oranges. The red-colored fruit gives the drink a pinkish hue.

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

(202) 733-5623

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Hawthorne

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This U Street bar and restaurant makes the "Hawthorne Crush" available at brunch. The drink is straightforward with fresh-squeezed orange, triple sec, Stoli vodka, and a splash of Sprite.

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1336 U St NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 853-9194

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Mission

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Of course a Mexican restaurant and bar subs tequila for vodka in this interpretation of the drink called "Summer Crush."

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1606 20th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 525-2010

Nationals Park

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Baseball fans can grab an Orange Crush at the centerfield bar during Nats games. The stadium started serving the drink two years ago.

1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

(202) 675-6287

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Orange Anchor

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Drink an Orange Crush in its traditional setting by taking in the views at this waterfront spot in Georgetown.

3050 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

(202) 802-9990

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Pop's SeaBar

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The beach-themed restaurant in Adams Morgan makes a drink very similar to those found in Ocean City, but the garnish is a lime instead of an orange.

1817 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

(202) 534-3933

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Scarlet Oak

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Here's another option for an Orange Crush in the neighborhood. This Navy Yard restaurant has a traditional version of the drink on the cocktail menu.

909 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

(202) 780-0140

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Suma restaurant + bar

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Witness an Orange Crush in its natural element, Maryland, at this new Bethesda restaurant. Their take on the cocktail comes with a floral hint of St. Germaine.