It’s mid July in Philadelphia and every time I walk outside it feels like I’m breathing pudding. Refreshment can he hard to come by, but thankfully I’ve found an easy summer cocktail that’ll make a tequila fan out of almost everyone: The Paloma.
Delicious for its balance of sweet and sour, this thirst quencher is as simple as it is refreshing.
Notes on the Paloma Cocktail
Among the most popular cocktails in Mexico, the Paloma may challenge your beliefs about tequila drinks. Combining the flavors of grapefruit soda, lime and salt, it uses a light tequila that doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors. Typically this is either a Blanco or Silver.
Despite its simplicity, the Paloma is remarkably flexible so you’ll be able to make it work with whatever is available in your area. I’ve seen recipes that use many different grapefruit sodas and juices, as well as herbs to add a twist to the original cocktail. So as long as you have the tequila, you’ll be ready for a trip south of the border.
Paloma Cocktail Recipe
During my experimentation I tried several different versions of the Paloma and this proved to be the best. Granted someone may decry my use of San Pellegrino Pompelmo (grapefruit) as heretical, but I found the lighter flavor better than the more traditional Jarritos. So don’t be a hater and give it a stab, you might become a heretic too.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Tequila (Blanco or Silver)
- 4 oz. Pellegrino Pompelmo Grapefruit Soda
- ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- Pinch Sea Salt
- Lime Wedge (Garnish)
Preparation
- Combine Tequila, Grapefruit Soda, Lime Juice and Sea Salt in a Highball Glass
- Stir Well
- Garnish with a Lime Wedge
Tips for a Perfect Paloma
If it’s hot, humid and you’re looking for a little revitalization, it would be tough to find something better than the Paloma cocktail. But despite its simplicity, I have a few tips that I offer to ensure that you get maximum enjoyment from this option:
Use 100% Blue Agave Tequila – Life is too short for crappy tequila; avoid the cheap stuff and use 100% Blue Agave tequila
Keep it Simple – Don’t over think this cocktail; stick to the basics and everyone will enjoy it.
Experiment – There are heaps of great recipes for the Paloma. If you don’t like this version, do some experimentation. Alcademics has assembled a Paloma Recipe Roundup .
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an easy summer cocktail, it’s tough to beat the Paloma. Simply combine the four basic ingredients and you’ll have a warm weather refresher that everyone will enjoy.
