The Paloma is Mexico’s national cocktail, a refreshing mix of tequila, grapefruit juice or soda, lime juice, and sparkling water or soda, often with a salt rim. As a simpler and cheaper alternative to the Margarita, the Paloma has deep roots in Mexican culture, making use of beloved brands like Jarritos or Squirt for an authentic flavour.
Key Takeaways:
- Mexico’s National Drink
The Paloma is the national cocktail of Mexico, combining tequila, grapefruit, and lime for a refreshing summer drink. - Easy to Make
With just a few simple ingredients and a quick prep time, the Paloma is an approachable cocktail for beginners. - Versatile Flavour
Customise your Paloma with different tequilas, sweeteners, and sparkling mixers to find your perfect taste. - Crowd-Pleasing Pitcher
The Paloma recipe scales up easily for a crowd-pleasing batch cocktail. - Low in Calories
At just 115 calories per serving, the Paloma is a light and refreshing option.
The Core Ingredients for a Classic Paloma
To make a classic Paloma, you’ll need a few key ingredients:
- Tequila (2 oz blanco or reposado, such as PATRÓN Reposado)
- Fresh Grapefruit Juice (2-3 oz, about 1 grapefruit)
- Fresh Lime Juice (0.5 oz, about 1 lime)
- Grapefruit Soda (2-6 oz, such as Jarritos or Squirt) or sparkling water
- Sweetener (0.25-1 oz agave syrup or simple syrup, to taste)
- Salt (for rimming the glass)
- Optional: Bitters (such as Scrappy’s grapefruit bitters) or liqueurs (such as 0.5 oz Giffard pamplemousse or 0.25 oz Cointreau)
The classic Paloma is all about balancing the bright, tart grapefruit with the smooth, earthy tequila and a touch of sweetness. Feel free to experiment with different tequila styles, sweeteners, and sparkling mixers to find your perfect paloma drink recipe.
Easy Step-by-Step Paloma Instructions
Making a Paloma at home is a breeze. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Salt the Rim: Rub a highball or rocks glass with a lime or grapefruit wedge, then dip the rim in coarse sea salt or kosher salt.
- Juice the Citrus: Freshly squeeze the grapefruit and lime juices.
- Shake or Stir: Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and any optional sweeteners or bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds until well-chilled, or stir for about 15 seconds.
- Strain and Top: Double-strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass filled with fresh ice. Top with 2-3 oz of grapefruit soda or sparkling water, then garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge.
The entire Paloma preparation takes just 5 minutes, making it an easy and refreshing cocktail to enjoy any time.
Paloma Pitcher for a Crowd
The Paloma recipe also scales up beautifully for serving a crowd. To make a pitcher (8-10 servings):
- Mix together 12 oz tequila, 24 oz grapefruit juice, 4 oz lime juice, and 0.25 cup + 1 tbsp simple syrup.
- Chill the mixture for up to a day ahead of time.
- When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice, pour in the Paloma mixture, and top with 2-3 oz of grapefruit soda or sparkling water per drink.
- Garnish each glass with a grapefruit or lime wedge.
This pitcher Paloma recipe is perfect for parties and gatherings, letting you quickly serve up refreshing cocktails without the individual prep work.
Conclusion
The Paloma is a classic, refreshing Mexican cocktail that’s easy to make at home. With its balance of tequila, grapefruit, and lime, the Paloma is a versatile drink that can be customised to your taste. Whether enjoying a single serving or mixing up a pitcher, the Paloma is sure to become a new summertime favourite.
Sources:
The Modern Proper
Patrón Tequila
Love and Lemons
A Little Spoon
Ramshackle Pantry
Muy Delish
BBC Good Food
