Pitcher Spicy Paloma Recipe
You can easily make these spicy palomas into a pitcher cocktail if youre planning a large gathering.
Just quadruple the ingredients minus the grapefruit soda, but instead of shaking it all together in a cocktail shaker, stir it together in a large pitcher. Store the pitcher in the fridge until youre ready to serve. Pour the base over ice in the individual glasses and float as much of the soda as desired. This works great if you set it up on a cocktail bar.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats
Colleen Graham is a beverage writer with over a decade of experience writing about cocktails and bartending. She has visited tequila distilleries in Mexico, tasted countless tequilas over the years, and wrote a book on the spirit.
Kate Dingwall, a sommelier and spirits writer, updated this roundup. She has been writing about wine and spirits for five years and has visited the Jalisco region over a dozen times. She has even harvested her own agave.
Do I Need To Use Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
Theres nothing quite like fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice in our Paloma cocktail recipe, and as this cocktail is heavily focused on grapefruit juice, then use fresh juice if possible.
It only takes a couple of minutes to make freshly squeezed grapefruit juice but if you dont want to make it, then please buy the best and freshest grapefruit juice that you can as grapefruit juices do vary in quality.
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Before You Start Our Best Tip
Use fresh grapefruit juice instead of grapefruit soda. Youll be rewarded with a more vibrant drink, in both color and flavor.
What Does Paloma Cocktail Taste Like
The fundamental taste of this Paloma cocktail is sour and bitter, which is provided by the lime juice. The grapefruit soda has a flavor that is similar to that of a natural fresh grapefruit, but with a more acidic flavor. This gives the drink a zesty flavor that is very pleasant on a hot summer day.
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Can I Add Less Of The Spicy Simple Syrup
What I like most about this recipe is how you can customize the flavors to suit your drinking needs. If youre not feeling particularly spicy today, add just a small amount of the jalapeño simple syrup. If you want to really put some hair on your chest, add more. You can also omit the simple syrup altogether and make it a traditional paloma.
Add the spicy simple syrup to the cocktail shaker.
Follow that with the tequila blanco.
Finally, add the freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice.
Cap the cocktail shaker and give it a vigorous shake for 30 seconds. Once the exterior frosts over, you can stop shaking.
Divide this mixture equally between your two ice-filled cocktail glasses.
What Tequila Is Best For Paloma
Here are the seven best tequilas for La Paloma cocktail, ranked.
- Tequila Blanco Corralejo. This affordable option has a light, fruity profile.
- Pasote Tequila Blanco. Herbaceous and spicy, Pasote gave our Palomas kick.
- Chamucos Blanco Tequila.
Accordingly, what goes in a Paloma?
Three parts grapefruit sodaOne part tequila
Similarly, what alcohol is in a Paloma? Tequila
Simply so, what does tequila go good with?
The 7 Best Mixers for Tequila
- Tequila + Soda. This is the gold standard of two-ingredient tequila cocktailsbesides the Margarita, it is probably the most popular.
- Tequila + Grapefruit Soda.
What is the best silver tequila?
- Herradura Silver. Price: $44.
- Cazadores Tequila Blanco. Price: $34.
- Casa Dragones Tequila Blanco. Price: $90.
- Lunazul Blanco Tequila. Price: $21.
- Tres Agaves Tequila Blanco. Price: $35.
- Maestro Dobel Silver Tequila. Price: $58.
- Espolòn Blanco. Price: $18. Shop Espolòn Blanco.
- Camarena Silver. Price: $19. Shop Camarena Silver.
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Where And How Is The Best Tequila Made
There are a lot of specific rules and guidelines governing where, how, and from what tequila is made. Heres what you need to know:
- Most tequila is 38% to 40% ABV serious business. Drink with caution.
- Tequila is a type of mezcal. The regions of production of the two drinks are overlapping. The distinction is that tequila must use only blue agave rather than any type of agave.
- More than 300 million blue agave plants are harvested each year.
- Tequila was first exported to the United States in the late 19th century.
- Tequila is made primarily in areas near and around the city of wait for it Tequila, Mexico. Its also made northwest of Guadalajara, and in the Jaliscan Highlands of the central western Mexican state of Jalisco.
More Bright Summery Cocktails
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Strawberry Margarita this sweet margarita combines fresh berries, aromatic reposado tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar for a touch of sweetness.
Rum Punch a Jamaican-style cocktail that has a base of orange and pineapples juices and both, light and dark rums.
Lemon Drop Martini this classic cocktail has only four ingredients good quality vodka, fresh lemon juice, orange liqueur, and sweetener.
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What Type Of Tequila Is Best For Palomas
Palomas along with many cocktails typically use a Blanco , silver or Reposado tequila.
Blanco or Silver tequilas are younger tequilas that have not been aged in wood barrels. They tend to be a little more acidic and fruit-forward as well as less expensive.
Reposado tequilas are aged in wood barrels anywhere from 2 to 12 months. Ageing in barrels tends to round out the flavour and the ageing process creates a smoother drinking tequila. This type of tequila is great for cocktails and also swaps out nicely for whiskey.
Anejo tequilas are aged much longer in barrels giving them a very smooth drinking experience and are much darker in appearance with a deeper flavour. They are typically much more expensive and usually presented as a stand-alone drink for sipping.
Given the price point and flavour profiles, Blanco, silver or Reposado tequilas are best for cocktail mixing. I personally prefer a Reposado tequila because of its smoother drinking experience. My husband likes 1921Reposado.
What To Serve With The Drink
A paloma is such a light and refreshing drink, its perfect for pairing with spicy Mexican meals! Try it with an afternoon snack, dinner or even brunch. Grab one of the recipes below to pair with the cocktail this weekend!
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass.
- Add Tajin or coarse salt to a small plate.
- Dip the rim of the glass in the Tajin or coarse salt.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water, lime juice and agave nectar.
- Use a spoon to stir all of the ingredients together in the glass. Serve immediately.
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Do I Salt The Rim For A Spicy Paloma
I love a bit of salt in my palomas. Hell, I love salt in anything with tequila. I dont know why it makes the cocktail taste better it just does.
I use a wedge of grapefruit to moisten the side of my highball glass. Once its wet, sprinkle a generous amount of kosher salt where you rubbed the grapefruit. Set the glass aside to dry for 5 minutes, so the salt doesnt fall off when you handle the glass later.
Once the salt has dried to the glass, go ahead and add enough ice to fill them half- to three-quarters of the way full.
Can I Use Grapefruit Juice Instead Of Grapefruit Soda
Absolutely! If you love fresh grapefruit, use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and club soda instead of grapefruit soda. You will need about 2 oz of fresh grapefruit juice and about 2 ounces of club soda. Make sure to mix all the ingredients together before adding the soda, then top the cocktail off with club soda and very gently stir.
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What Kind Of Glass Do I Serve A Paloma Cocktail In
Highball glasses are best for these Spicy Palomas because you can float the soda on top without worrying about spills. Also, it gives you enough room for ice and stirring the base into the soda since its a soda cocktail.
You can also use a double old-fashioned glass, but youll have more cocktail mix leftover from this recipe. I mean, not that theres anything wrong with having 4 cocktails instead of 2.
While were on the subject of serving the palomas, use nugget ice if you can. It chills the cocktail thoroughly and dilutes it while you drink. I find this is a good idea since its potent. If youre not into diluting your drinks , you can use larger ice cubes.
What Is Tequila Made From
Tequila is made from the harvested core of the blue agave plant. After the pina is harvested, they are baked or steamed in large ovens to break down the complex fruit sugar molecules into sweeter tasting fructose.
Once this process is completed, the juice is extracted from the agave cores, which goes on to become tequila through a process of fermentation and distillation.
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Best Tequilas For A Paloma Cocktail
The Paloma is a highball style cocktail, a simple mix where a spirit is served in a tall glass with a mixer. Hailing from Mexico, it pairs tequila with grapefruit soda and lime juice. Its a thirst-quenching refresher of a drink, best served in a glass filled to the top with ice.
The exact origins of the Paloma arent known, though it may be named after a popular Mexican folk song La Paloma. The recipe also has several variations, though the classic version also known as the Simple Paloma is attributed to Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner of La Capilla bar in Tequila.
The leading grapefruit soda brand used in Mexico is the brilliantly named Squirt, however if you prefer a sharp bitterness to your grapefruit drinks, you might find the sugary flavours of this brand rather bland.
In the UK, Ting used to be the most ubiquitous brand, but newer specialist sodas are also well worth seeking out. Both Two Keys Pink Grapefruit Mixer and Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda are premium, lip-smacking drinks that work brilliantly in a Paloma.
The Paloma can also be made with grapefruit juice and served with or without a salt rim. If you want total control over the piquancy of your drink, try creating your own grapefruit soda.
Start with respective measures of 50ml tequila, 25ml fresh grapefruit juice, 12.5ml lime juice, 5ml agave syrup and enough soda to top the drink off, and adjust accordingly from there. Or follow the suggested recipe below.
Ingredients In A Paloma
You only need 4 simple and inexpensive ingredients to create this classic Mexican cocktail. Oh, and dont forget the salt for the rim!
- Tequila Blanco The rule of thumb for all cocktails is this your cocktail will only be as good as the liquor you use! Luckily, when it comes to tequila blanco, there are so many good brands you can use. Try to avoid using anything from the bottom shelf, and you should be in the clear!
- Grapefruit Soda Grapefruit soda is really the best of both worlds. It has the carbonation and slight sweetness of a regular soda, while also having the bitterness and bite of a real grapefruit.
- Lime Juice Use fresh lime juice, not anything from concentrate at the grocery store. Fresh lime juice really does wonders to the Paloma! Its a deliciously natural way to enhance the acidic taste of the grapefruit soda.
- Agave Nectar Agave adds a nice balance to the bitterness of the grapefruit soda, but if your soda is already sweet, you dont need to add it. Taste your soda first, before deciding to add agave nectar.
- Salt Theres nothing better than a combination of tequila and a little salt! Coarse kosher salt or flaky sea salt is always the best way to go. If youre a fan of salt rimmed tequila drinks, then you definitely need to also make a , too.
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Tequila Is The Intellectual Property Of Mexico: True
In fact, its illegal for other countries besides Mexico to sell tequila. In 1974, the Mexican government declared the term tequila the intellectual property of Mexico. Mexican law requires tequila to be produced only in certain regions of the country. Tequila sold outside Mexico is technically a mezcal or a mixto.
How To Make A Paloma
Start off by rimming the glasses, that way theyre prepared for pouring. Its always annoying to pour a drink into your glass, only to realize you forgot to rim it!
Simply rub a lime wedge along the rim of the glass, coating it with fresh lime juice. Then, dip the rim of the glass into the salt.
You can make this cocktail in a shaker, or right in the glass!
To make it in the glass, just pour the tequila blanco, lime juice, and agave nectar into a glass and give it a stir to fully combine everything.
To make this cocktail in a shaker, pour the tequila blanco, lime juice, and agave nectar into a shaker with a few ice cubes and give it a shake. Then, pour it directly into the glass.
No matter which method you prefer, shaken or stirred, youre going to have a delicious drink. Once the three ingredients are combined, top the glass off with grapefruit soda and give it a final gentle stir.
You dont want to pour the grapefruit soda into the shaker, as it will ruin the carbonation of the drink.
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Tequila Is Just For Shots: False
Tequila shots, with salt and a lime wedge, are part of our collective drinking unconscious. So much so, it feels like theres no other way to enjoy tequila.But expert bartenders say that you should allow the flavors of your tequila to open up, like a fine wine or scotch. Its much more common in Mexico to sip your tequila slowly the shot with lime and salt is primarily an American practice.
More Tequila Cocktail Recipes For You To Try
- Classic margaritacousin of the Paloma, this classic 3 ingredient tequila cocktail is still a winner!
- Tequila sunriseanother refreshing 3 ingredient cocktail, this stunning cocktail is so easy to make!
- Tequila old fashioneda twist on the old whiskey classic, this is stylish and subtle and definitely one for your cocktail menu!
- Mexican muletequila and lime juice are great, but then add in ginger beer and you have a wonderfully refreshing drink!
Follow us on , , and , for more tasty inspiration!
We hope that you enjoyed making our Paloma recipe and that you love your refreshing cocktail.
Wed really love to hear how you got on with it, so please leave a comment or feel free to ask any questions you have about our Paloma recipe.
- Serve and enjoy your Paloma cocktails cheers!
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El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
Made with Blue Weber agave from the highlands of Mexico, El Tesoro Blanco Tequila offers notes of fresh fruits and vegetables and a gentle sweetness that plays perfectly off of the sour and bitter flavors of the Palomas citrus elements. My favorite tequila for Palomas definitely needs to be a flavorful Blanco tequila, which is why I choose El Tesoro Blanco. Its green roundness, with flavors of kiwi and pear, go great with the acidity provided by the lime and grapefruit of a Paloma. Finish it off with a salted rim to enhance all these flavors, and my mouth is watering already, recommends general manager Matt Ross of The Roosevelt Room in Austin, Texas.
Did You Make This Recipe
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If Tequila isn’t your thing, then try our Frozen Negroni which is a twist on the classic Negroni cocktail.
Not a fan of grapefruit? I highly recommend trying our fan-favorite Raspberry Lemonade Moscato Slush. This is a quick, simple-to-make wine slush that doesn’t require any prep or freezer time.
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What Is The Difference Between Paloma And Margarita Cocktails
Although paloma and margarita cocktails are in the same family of alcoholic beverages, there are a few differences that make each unique.
Whilst of tequila, lime juice and French liquors triple sec or Cointreau, palomas are made with tequila and grapefruit juice or Italian grapefruit flavored soda.
This results in a deliciously tart drink, compared to its sweeter sibling the margarita.
How Do I Garnish My Paloma
You can garnish your cocktails with peels from the grapefruit, jalapeño slices, or the oven-dried grapefruit slices pictured.
Place thinly sliced grapefruit rounds onto a sheet pan lined with a silicone baking mat and bake them at 250°F for 20 minutes, flipping once during the baking. You can also dehydrate them for 10 hours in a food dehydrator. I usually have these on hand because Hector likes to snack on them. They come out tasting like sweet grapefruit chips!
You can also just skip the garnish altogether.
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