COLUMBIA HEIGHTS: Esencias Panameñas Unveils Its Beverage Program Bringing Panamanian Libations to the Nation’s Capital

Owner and Executive Chef Yadira Stamp of Esencias Panameñas, located at 3322 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20010, which is Washington’s Panamanian restaurant featuring authentic Panamanian cuisine with a Caribbean twist, is pleased to unveil its new beverage program.  The list of tempting libations was developed by Stamp and features a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails made with raspadura, which is the Panamanian version of simple syrup that is comprised of a combination of molasses, natural sugar and honey, which is then formed into a block.  A popular non-alcoholic cocktail made with raspadura is the Raspadura con Naranja, raspadura and fresh orange juice. It ispriced at $7 by the glass and $30 by the gallon.

Esencias Panameñas menu features seven house-made, non-alcoholic cocktails including the Chicheme Frio, hominy corn, condense milk, evaporated milk, coconut milk and spices.  Also available is the Sorrell con Jengibre, house-made hibiscus flower syrup infused with boiledginger; Chicha de Tamarindo, tamarind that has been soaked overnight, boiled and strained, mixed with water; Chicha de Guanábana, soursop, water and cane sugar; Chicha de Raspadura con Naranja y Limón, orange juice, lime juice and cane sugar; Agua de Pipa, 100% purecoconut water, along with seasonal Batidos or milkshakes made with a choice of soursop or papaya, ice cream, fresh vitamin D milk, condensed milk and vanilla.  Non-alcoholic beverages are priced from $6 to $8.  A collection of alcoholic cocktails is also available and include a signature Red Sangria, which is made from a combination of wine, hibiscus flower that have been house-steeped and fresh ginger, as well as two classic Panamanian cocktails made with Panamanian rums, Ron Abuelo and Seco Herrerano. A popular alcoholic cocktail from Panama is made with Ron Abuelo, ice tea, and simple syrup is the Lord Panama, priced at $9, while the PanatiniisEsencias Panameñas’ signature martinimade with Seco Herrerano, pink grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine, priced at $10.

The bar program at Esencias Panameñas also offers a boutique selection of six wines by the glass and by the bottle.  Highlights include Moscato; Chardonnay; Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand; Alamos Red Blend from Argentina; Alamos Malbec from Argentina, and Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina.  Wines by the glass are priced from $5 to $7, and wines by the bottle are priced from $25 to $35.  Guests can also enjoy domestic and imported beers such as Bud Light, Sam Adams, Miller Lite, Budweiser, Corona Extra, Heineken, Modelo, and Stella.  Beers are priced from $4 to $5.

You might want to catch Happy Hour at Esencias Panameñas, which is available Monday through Friday, from 5 Pm to 7 PM.

The neighborhood restaurant features $4 house red and white wine, $4 sangria, $5 Chichita Panameña and a rotating selection of beer for $3.  For the perfect pairing, guests can also savor a selection of pa' picá bar food such as Carimañolas, fresh ground yuca balls stuffed with beef, turkey, or vegetarian, served with a tamarind dipping sauce; Patacones Rellenos de Ceviche, twice fried green plantain stuffed with Panama imported corvina fish ceviche cooked in lime juice; Torrejitas de Bacalao, spicy or mild codfish cakes with a culantro aioli dipping sauce; Carne Frita y Patacones en Palito, beef and twice fried green plantain, served on a skewer; Chicharrón de Pollo, deep fried chicken wingettes smothered in mango habanero BBQ sauce, as well as Patacones, twice fried green plantains and Yuca Frita, fried yuca.  Bar menu items are priced from $5 to $10. 

Esencias Panameñas is located at 3322 Georgia Ave, NW.  Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11 AM to 3 PM.  Dinner is served on Sunday and Monday, from 3 PM to 9 PM; Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 PM to 11 PM, and Friday, from 3 PM to 12 Midnight.

 

Esencias Panameñas is located four blocks from the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro accessible on the Green and Yellow lines.

For additional information or reservations call (202) 688-7250, or visit https://esenciaspanamenas.com.