These are the days we’ve been waiting for—the sun-soaked evenings when we can enjoy long talks with friends and long sips of crisp cocktails.
One of the best drinks to stir up when the thermometer hits above 75 packs a flavorful punch. The paloma, a tequila-based highball popular in Mexico, is usually mixed with grapefruit soda (you can use Jarritos or Squirt) and fresh lime juice over ice with a salted rim. It can range in flavor from tropical to smoky, but it’s always refreshing, light and crisp.
Below, we’re sharing five paloma recipes with you to try this summer when you want to celebrate with friends or feel like you’re in Tulum.
Photograph: courtesy Pocho Fino Tequila| the Smoky Pineapple Paloma from Pocho Fino Tequila
Blends grapefruit and grilled pineapple for a bold, smoky-sweet twist.
Ingredients:
2 ounces Pocho Fino Grilled Pineapple
0.75 ounce Pineapple Juice
1 ounce Fresh Grapefruit Juice
0.5 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
0.25 ounce Agave Nectar (adjust to taste)
2 ounces Club Soda (to top)
Smoked Sea Salt or Chili Salt (for rim)
Grilled Pineapple Wedge, Single Pineapple Leaf (garnish)
Directions: Rim a highball or Collins glass with smoked sea salt (or chili salt). Add Pocho Fino Grilled Pineapple, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave to the glass with ice. Gently stir to combine. Top with club soda. Garnish with a grilled pineapple wedge and single pineapple leaf.
Photograph: courtesy Illegal Mezcal| Ilegal Mezcal’s Paloma Ingrata
Layers mezcal and citrus for a simple, yet strikingly vibrant, sip.
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces Ilegal Mezcal Joven
0.5 ounce Lime
0.75 ounce Agave Nectar
0.75 ounce Grapefruit
2 ounces IPA Beer
Directions: Add all ingredients to a tin and whip. Shake with 2 ice cubes and dump into a beer glass with a salt rim and fill with ice. Garnish with grapefruit peel.
3. Mezcaloma
Photograph: courtesy Dos Hombres| Dos Hombres’ Mezcaloma
Keeps things bright and balanced with a grapefruit-forward profile.
Ingredients:
Directions: Add Mezcal, agave and lime juice to your shaker and vigorously shake. Pour into a rocks glass and fill with Grapefruit Soda. Garnish with a dehydrated grapefruit slice.
Photograph: courtesy Dulce Vida Tequila| Dulce Vida Tequila’s Skinny Paloma
Offers an easy, light, and refreshing take on the classic.
Ingredients:
Directions: Combine all ingredients, then shake and pour over ice. Garnish with a grapefruit and/or lime wedge.
4. Smoky Paloma (non-alcoholic)
Photograph: courtesy Undone| Undone’s Smoky Paloma
Smoky depth, bright grapefruit, zesty lime.
Ingredients:
Directions: Mix ingredients with ice. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a grapefruit wheel and a smoked salt rim.
Salúd!
Dining and Cooking