This may surprise you but did you know that the Paloma cocktail is the most widely drank cocktail in Mexico?
Most people would think it's the Margarita but the Paloma is actually a long standing classic Mexican cocktail, perfect for the dry summer heat Mexico is dealt with over their long summer months.
The Paloma Cocktail is typically made with Tequila, soda water, grapefruit juice and lime juice rimmed with salt and citrus juice. However there are many variations that can be made.
Here are three of our go to recipes when making a great Paloma cocktail just in time for world Paloma day on May 22nd:
First Paloma is the classic. Using Tequila silver this is the Paloma most recognised across Mexico. With the subtle flavour of the silver the grapefruit and citrus notes are really allowed to shine through offering up a zesty and refreshing, sweet but bitter, summer cocktail.
Ingredients
60mL Tequila silver
60mL fresh grapefruit juice
60mL soda water (can use grapefruit soda for sweeter alternative)
15mL fresh lime juice
5ml agave syrup or simple syrup
Sea salt and sliced grapefruit to garnish
Method
Firstly you have to salt the rim of your glassware. Do this by rubbing your grapefruit garnish around the rim and dipping it onto a plate of sea salt.
Then you're going to mix your Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds.
Strain your mix into your glassware and top with fresh ice and soda water (you can adjust sweetness by adding more agave).
Lastly garnish with your sliced grapefruit and enjoy!
Next we're going to do an Anejo Paloma. It's made pretty much the same way however we're going to swap out our silver Tequila for an anejo. This version is perfect if you are after a more elevated Paloma with notes of smoke and char. If you want to take it even future you can add chilli flakes to your salt for a spicy rim.
Ingredients
60mL Tequila anejo (can sub 15ml for mezcal for extra smoke)
60mL fresh grapefruit juice
60mL soda water (can use grapefruit soda for sweeter alternative)
15mL fresh lime juice
5ml agave syrup or simple syrup
Sea salt (with chilli) and sliced grapefruit to garnish
Method
Firstly you have to salt the rim of you glassware. Do this by rubbing your grapefruit garnish around the rim and dipping the rim onto a plate of sea salt and chilli flakes if you want a little spice.
Then you're going to mix your Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup in a cocktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds.
Strain into your glassware and top with fresh ice and soda water (you can adjust sweetness by adding more agave).
Garnish with your sliced grapefruit.
Lastly we couldn't post about Paloma's without featuring a Mezcal alternative. Known globally as Tequilas cousin, Mezcal is a smokey liquor that makes for a perfectly smokey, sweet, citrusy Paloma cocktail that'll blow the hairs off your chest (in a good way).
Ingredients
60mL Mezcal
60mL fresh grapefruit juice
60mL soda water (can use grapefruit soda for sweeter alternative)
15mL fresh lime juice
15ml agave syrup or simple syrup
Sea salt with chilli flakes and/or citrus zest and sliced grapefruit and a jalapeno to garnish
Method
First add your salt to a plate and sprinkle with chilli flakes and citrus zest (grated skin of a citrus).
Next you're going to wet the rim of your glass with your grapefruit garnish and dip glassware in salt.
Combine your Mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup in cocktail shaker and shake for 20 seconds.
Strain into your glassware over fresh ice and top off with soda water.
Add your garnishes and sip away!
The Paloma cocktail is both super easy to make and super easy to enjoy. Refreshing and well balanced from, sweetness to bitterness, all the way through its no wonder this is the most popular cocktail across Mexico.
Further more, there is no surprises once you taste this cocktail as to why it has a national day recognised the world over. Enjoy with a friend, in the sun or by a fire, because wether its tequila or mezcal the Paloma is sure to inspire. We know what we're having this May 22nd.
