Restaurant bar
Unclaimed profileDel Rey at Villa Royale
Palm Springs, CA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Del Rey at Villa Royale runs a beverage program with ambition: a cocktail list that reaches for fat-washed spirits, a Spanish-leaning wine selection with sherry and vermouth, and a mocktail menu that takes zero-proof seriously. The $20 signature cocktails are approachable, while the $30 house specials show the kitchen's Iberian bent. Sangria, red and white, anchors the bar, and customers single out the martinis.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Royale Old Fashioned, a Jamón Ibérico fat-washed Knob Creek affair served with Manchego. The El León, with Arbequina olive oil-washed Gin Mare and blue cheese olives, is another $30 showpiece. For a lighter touch, the Spanish Gin & Tonic or a glass of Manzanilla Pasada En Rama. The sangria is a house staple.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who appreciate culinary-minded cocktails and Spanish wine culture will find a lot to like. The $20 price point on signatures keeps the bar accessible, while the $30 specials cater to those seeking something more elaborate. Non-drinkers have a dedicated mocktail menu with zero-proof spirits.
- When should I go?
- The bar appears to operate during lunch and dinner service, so it suits both a midday refresh and a later evening drink.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Signature cocktails are uniformly $20; house specials are $30. Wine by the glass runs $17 to $25, with bottles from $68 to $100. Beer ranges $7 to $11, and mocktails are $16. Sangria is $20 per glass or $74 per pitcher.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The program's personality comes through in details like the Jamón Ibérico fat-washed Old Fashioned, the Arbequina olive oil-washed gin in El León, and a dedicated Sherry and Vermouth section. The house gin martini, with a blue cheese olive wrapped in chorizo, has earned vocal fans. The sangria is billed as 'World Famous' and draws praise.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A creative cocktail list with a Spanish bent, featuring fat-washed spirits and unique garnishes. The $20 signatures are approachable, while the $30 specials show ambition.
Menu strengths
- — Creative use of fat-washed spirits and house-made syrups.
- — Distinctive Spanish-influenced ingredients like Arbequina olive oil and Jamón Ibérico.
Standout selections
- — El León: Arbequina olive oil-washed Gin Mare, Tximista Vermut Blanco, Fino Sherry, blue cheese stuffed olives & chorizo.
- — Royale Old Fashioned: Jamón Ibérico fat-washed Knob Creek, Oloroso Sherry, black walnut bitters, served with Manchego.
- — Spanish Gin & Tonic: St. George Terroir Gin, sage, lemon, tonic.
Pricing: Signature cocktails $20; house specials $30.
Wine
A Spanish and French wine list with a dedicated Sherry and Vermouth section. The sangria is a house specialty praised by guests. Prices are moderate for a hotel bar.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated Sherry and Vermouth section on the dinner menu.
- — Spanish and French selections by glass and bottle.
- — Sangria in red and white variations is a highlighted house specialty.
Standout selections
- — Coquillette Brut Cuvée Inflorescence, Champagne ($25/glass, $100/bottle).
- — Manzanilla Pasada En Rama, 'Pastora' ($12/glass).
Pricing: Wine by the glass $17-$25; bottles $68-$100; sangria $20/glass, $74/pitcher.
Beer
A compact but varied beer selection with Mexican lagers and international options, plus a few craft choices. No standout surprises, but solid and reasonably priced.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local and international options.; Reasonable price range.
Standout selections
- — Chankla Mexican Lager (draft, $8).; Estrella Galicia (draft, $10).
- — North Coast Tart Cherry (bottle, $10).
Pricing: Beer priced from $7 to $11.
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated mocktail menu using zero-proof spirits, with three options that mirror the creativity of the cocktail list.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated mocktail menu with zero-proof spirits.; Creative flavor combinations.
Standout selections
- — Fool's Gold: Ritual Zero Proof Tequila, pineapple, sage, lime, salt.
- — Siesta: Ritual Apertif, strawberry, lemon, soda.
- — Flamenco: Lyre's Pink London Spirit, raspberry, lime, soda.
Pricing: Mocktails $16; coffee and coconut water $8.
Spirits
No standalone spirits list, but the cocktail program showcases premium and artisanal spirits, including Sipsmith Gin, Copalli Rum, and Knob Creek Bourbon.
How it sits with the food
The cocktail list leans Spanish, so pair the El León's olive oil-washed gin with jamón or Manchego. The Royale Old Fashioned's Oloroso sherry and Manchego garnish make it a natural with rich, cured flavors. Sherries like Manzanilla Pasada En Rama are classic partners for seafood or salty bites.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.