Friday Happy Hour: The Paloma

Tequila has something of a rough reputation in America, but it’s really undeserving of that repute. So let’s turn to Tequila’s home, Mexico, for some inspiration to soften that reputation a bit. This week’s cocktail is the Paloma, a sweet, tart, fizzy, and oh-so-refreshing drink. Try one and you’ll see why this is Mexico’s most popular Tequila cocktail. – Andrew

The Paloma Cocktail Recipe via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

Cocktail Recipe Card: The Paloma by Caitlin Keegan for Oh So Beautiful Paper

Illustration by Caitlin Keegan

The Paloma

2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Grapefruit Soda
Salt

Combine the Tequila, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a highball glass. Fill with ice and top with grapefruit soda. Garnish, if at all, with a lime wedge and enjoy.

The Paloma Cocktail Recipe via Oh So Beautiful Paper (9) The Paloma Cocktail Recipe via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1)

Mexican grapefruit soda may not be the easiest ingredient to find in the States, so I like to use Izze sparkling grapefruit juice in my Palomas. The key is to use something that’s a little sweet, a little tart, and a lot fizzy; you might want to punch up the lime juice to 3/4 oz if using a sweeter soda like the Izze. The Paloma should be earthy and vegetal from the tequila, sweet and tart from the lime and soda, a touch salty, and perfect for a sweltering Mexican (or DC) summer day.

The Paloma Cocktail Recipe via Oh So Beautiful Paper (8)

La Paloma? That’s the Dove. Why’s that? No idea, and no idea who invented this fantastic drink either. This one’s story is lost, I suspect, to the blurry pages of I’ve-had-one-too-many-to-write-this-down cocktail history. And that’s ok. Because it’s just good. So go try one. It’s almost summer, right?

Photo Credits: Nole Garey for Oh So Beautiful Paper

  1. When I was in Tequila, Mexico, the most common grapefruit soda used was Squirt, which is very easy to find in the States. 🙂 Hansen’s grapefruit soda and Fresca also work. It’s been a favorite Summertime refreshing drink ever since my visit.

Comments are closed.