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A Paloma cocktail from Taco Bamba.
[Taco Bamba]

Excellent Palomas to Drink in D.C.

It’s the tequila drink no one knows about

by Lani Furbank
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A Paloma cocktail from Taco Bamba.
| [Taco Bamba]
by Lani Furbank

At the first hint of patio weather, the margaritas come out in full force. Add the impetus of Cinco de Mayo and there’s even more reason to celebrate Mexican cocktails. But there’s another more quintessential Mexican drink that doesn’t (yet) have a horde of adoring followers: the Paloma.

The recipe is fairly simple: tequila, fresh lime juice, and grapefruit soda. The Paloma is just as refreshing and delicious as its more popular sibling, but for some reason it hasn’t achieved the same celebrity status.

There are, however, several establishments in the DMV celebrating the grapefruit-spiked cocktail this season — and not just Mexican establishments. Discerning drinkers can find the Paloma at steakhouses, vegan diners, Italian restaurants, and more. Many iterations stay true to the original recipe, while others riff with ingredients like grapefruit liqueur, mezcal, grapefruit oil, spicy shrubs, and blood orange soda.

Here are 15 spots to get better acquainted with the Paloma. ¡Salud!

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Fare Well

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This plant-based diner from vegan guru Doron Petersan has an herbaceous Paloma ($11). It’s composed of tequila, lime, and grapefruit and tarragon sodas.

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
Fare Well DC [Official]

Also featured in:

Felt Bar & Lounge

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The luxe bar and lounge inside the MGM National Harbor casino offers a One Night Stand ($14). Relax — it’s a drink made with George Clooney’s Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Aperol, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, and Pompelmo Soda.

7100 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD
(301) 971-6080
(301) 971-6080
[Felt Bar & Lounge]

Also featured in:

Rosa Mexicano (Multiple Locations)

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Rosa Mexicano does grapefruit four ways in its Paloma ($13). In addition to El Jimador Tequila, there’s ruby red grapefruit, Combier Créme de Pamplemousse Rose, Jarritos, and grapefruit bitters. The rim is lime and fleur de sel.

575 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.
[Rosa Mexicano]

Taqueria del Barrio

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Along with a lineup of classic Latin cocktails, Taqueria del Barrio offers a no-nonsense Paloma ($11). It’s a simple blend of Milagro Silver Tequila, grapefruit juice, soda, and lime.

821 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 723-0200
(202) 723-0200
[R. Lopez]

Espita Mezcaleria

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Naturally, Shaw’s mezcal mecca makes its Vanilla Paloma with mezcal instead of tequila ($11). The drink also has a simple syrup made with grapefruit oil (extracted from peels), vanilla beans, and citric acid.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 621-9695
(202) 621-9695
[R. Lopez]

Also featured in:

Mastro's Steakhouse

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This upscale steakhouse has an upscale Paloma to match. The Silver Paloma is made with Patrón Silver Tequila, Combier Créme de Pamplemousse Rose, Monin Watermelon Syrup, fresh lime, and basil, complemented by a sea salt rim ($17).

600 13th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 347-1500
(202) 347-1500
[Official]

Also featured in:

Logan Tavern

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For a blood orange Paloma with a kick, head to Logan Tavern. The spicy version features habanero shrub, tequila, lime juice, and blood orange soda ($10).

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 332-3710
(202) 332-3710
[Starr P./Yelp]

Also featured in:

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

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Two rosy citrus fruits are featured in the Blood Orange Paloma at Joe’s ($12). The drink is composed of Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila, San Pellegrino Blood Orange Soda, grapefruit, and agave.

750 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140
[Anjali Pinto]

Also featured in:

Firefly

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Firefly’s Paloma is more elaborate than most ($15). It starts with Roca Patrón, fresh lime and grapefruit juice, muddled, basil, and lime. Then comes ginger soda and layers of lime-basil-grapefruit sorbet. It’s garnished with sliced grapefruit, lime wheels, fresh basil leaves, and Australian pink sea salt.

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 861-1310
(202) 861-1310
[Firefly]

Also featured in:

Urbana

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Urbana sends smoke signals with the Paloma Sfumata ($11). It’s made with mezcal, grapefruit juice, Amaro Sfumato, honey, lemon, tonic, and Angostura bitters.

2121 P St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 956-6650
(202) 956-6650
[Urbana]

Also featured in:

Bourbon Steak

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The new spring menu at Bourbon Steak includes the Paloma Nueva, developed by head bartender Torrence Swain ($19). The drink is made with Casa Noble Joven Tequila, fresh lime, pamplemousse, cucumber water, agave, soda, and grapefruit zest for garnish.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
[R. Lopez]

Also featured in:

BRABO Restaurant

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The mezcal Paloma ($14) at Brabo should be enjoyed in the Old Town Alexandria restaurant’s beautiful courtyard. It’s made with mezcal, grapefruit, lime, agave, and soda.

1600 King St, Alexandria, VA
(703) 894-3440
(703) 894-3440
[Brabo]

Also featured in:

El Centro D.F. (Multiple Locations)

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El Centro uses the traditional Mexican soda, Jarritos, to impart grapefruit flavor into its Paloma ($10). The drink also includes Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila and fresh lime.

1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 333-4100
(202) 333-4100
[El Centro D.F.]

Also featured in:

Taco Bamba (Multiple Locations)

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Chef Victor Albisu’s fast-casual taco shop goes homestyle with Jarritos grapefruit soda in the Flama Blanca Paloma ($12). The drink also includes Vida Mezcal, grapefruit, and agave syrup.

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA
(571) 777-1477
(571) 777-1477
[Taco Bamba]

Also featured in:

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Fare Well

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C.

This plant-based diner from vegan guru Doron Petersan has an herbaceous Paloma ($11). It’s composed of tequila, lime, and grapefruit and tarragon sodas.

406 H St NE, Washington, D.C.
(202) 299-9700
(202) 299-9700
Fare Well DC [Official]

Felt Bar & Lounge

7100 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD

The luxe bar and lounge inside the MGM National Harbor casino offers a One Night Stand ($14). Relax — it’s a drink made with George Clooney’s Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Aperol, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, and Pompelmo Soda.

7100 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD
(301) 971-6080
(301) 971-6080
[Felt Bar & Lounge]

Rosa Mexicano (Multiple Locations)

575 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Rosa Mexicano does grapefruit four ways in its Paloma ($13). In addition to El Jimador Tequila, there’s ruby red grapefruit, Combier Créme de Pamplemousse Rose, Jarritos, and grapefruit bitters. The rim is lime and fleur de sel.

575 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.
[Rosa Mexicano]

Taqueria del Barrio

821 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C.

Along with a lineup of classic Latin cocktails, Taqueria del Barrio offers a no-nonsense Paloma ($11). It’s a simple blend of Milagro Silver Tequila, grapefruit juice, soda, and lime.

821 Upshur St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 723-0200
(202) 723-0200
[R. Lopez]

Espita Mezcaleria

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Naturally, Shaw’s mezcal mecca makes its Vanilla Paloma with mezcal instead of tequila ($11). The drink also has a simple syrup made with grapefruit oil (extracted from peels), vanilla beans, and citric acid.

1250 9th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 621-9695
(202) 621-9695
[R. Lopez]

Mastro's Steakhouse

600 13th St NW, Washington, D.C.

This upscale steakhouse has an upscale Paloma to match. The Silver Paloma is made with Patrón Silver Tequila, Combier Créme de Pamplemousse Rose, Monin Watermelon Syrup, fresh lime, and basil, complemented by a sea salt rim ($17).

600 13th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 347-1500
(202) 347-1500
[Official]

Logan Tavern

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C.

For a blood orange Paloma with a kick, head to Logan Tavern. The spicy version features habanero shrub, tequila, lime juice, and blood orange soda ($10).

1423 P St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 332-3710
(202) 332-3710
[Starr P./Yelp]

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

750 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Two rosy citrus fruits are featured in the Blood Orange Paloma at Joe’s ($12). The drink is composed of Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila, San Pellegrino Blood Orange Soda, grapefruit, and agave.

750 15th St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 489-0140
(202) 489-0140
[Anjali Pinto]

Firefly

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

Firefly’s Paloma is more elaborate than most ($15). It starts with Roca Patrón, fresh lime and grapefruit juice, muddled, basil, and lime. Then comes ginger soda and layers of lime-basil-grapefruit sorbet. It’s garnished with sliced grapefruit, lime wheels, fresh basil leaves, and Australian pink sea salt.

1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 861-1310
(202) 861-1310
[Firefly]

Urbana

2121 P St NW, Washington, D.C.

Urbana sends smoke signals with the Paloma Sfumata ($11). It’s made with mezcal, grapefruit juice, Amaro Sfumato, honey, lemon, tonic, and Angostura bitters.

2121 P St NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 956-6650
(202) 956-6650
[Urbana]

Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.

The new spring menu at Bourbon Steak includes the Paloma Nueva, developed by head bartender Torrence Swain ($19). The drink is made with Casa Noble Joven Tequila, fresh lime, pamplemousse, cucumber water, agave, soda, and grapefruit zest for garnish.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
[R. Lopez]

BRABO Restaurant

1600 King St, Alexandria, VA

The mezcal Paloma ($14) at Brabo should be enjoyed in the Old Town Alexandria restaurant’s beautiful courtyard. It’s made with mezcal, grapefruit, lime, agave, and soda.

1600 King St, Alexandria, VA
(703) 894-3440
(703) 894-3440
[Brabo]

El Centro D.F. (Multiple Locations)

1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

El Centro uses the traditional Mexican soda, Jarritos, to impart grapefruit flavor into its Paloma ($10). The drink also includes Sauza Blue Reposado Tequila and fresh lime.

1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 333-4100
(202) 333-4100
[El Centro D.F.]

Taco Bamba (Multiple Locations)

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA

Chef Victor Albisu’s fast-casual taco shop goes homestyle with Jarritos grapefruit soda in the Flama Blanca Paloma ($12). The drink also includes Vida Mezcal, grapefruit, and agave syrup.

2190 Pimmit Dr, Falls Church, VA
(571) 777-1477
(571) 777-1477
[Taco Bamba]

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