A Fresh Twist on the Paloma Cocktail

For the launch of Our Table 4 2 (our table for two), I wanted to find a simple yet fun drink to serve that would change it up from the classic Margarita. This is a fresh twist on the Paloma cocktail,  includes fresh-squeezed grapefruit and lime juice.

Jump to:

• Paloma Cocktail History
• Ingredients
• Paloma Recipe Tips
• Pairings
• Easy Mexican Recipes
• Easy Paloma Cocktail with Grapefruit Soda Recipe

Paloma Cocktail History

This summer-y grapefruit-and-tequila drink is widely considered to be our neighbor’s favorite cocktail, plus it’s a great change from your classic Margarita. Drink historian David Wondrich even deems it the National Drink of Mexico.  Making this a perfect choice for the party.

In its original form, the Paloma is a casual, two-ingredient sipper. After all, it's just tequila and Squirt®.  And that’s what makes it so great. 

More likely to be part of relaxed social gatherings, Nancy Zaslavsky called this, in her 1997 A Cook’s Tour of Mexico, the “Lazy Man’s Margarita."  By the end of the evening, she wrote, “bottles of tequila and endless bottles of Squirt® crowd tables for self-service, and…fancy salt-rimmed glasses are long forgotten.”

Paloma is Spanish for ‘dove’. The Paloma's origin is difficult to track down. 

Unlike many classic cocktails, which predate Prohibition, the Paloma arrived on the scene after 1938, when Squirt® was invented. Squirt began advertising its appeal as a mixer as early as 1950, although Mexico didn’t begin importing the soda until 1955. 

The Squirt® Timeline is found on the company's website. Helps bring to light when Squirt® became “a popular ingredient in refreshing cocktails”.

Folklore attributes the creation of this cocktail to the legendary Don Javier Delgado Corona, the former owner/bartender of La Capilla (The Chapel) in Tequila, Mexico, who created the Batanga. Don Javier famously ritualistically stirred this drink with the knife he used to cut the lime, something he did into his eighties.

Ingredients

Alright, let's chat about the ingredients needed for this paloma cocktail recipe with grapefruit soda.

• Tequila – Use any good-quality blanco tequila in this recipe.  
• Grapefruit juice  – For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice!
• Lime juice – Along with the grapefruit juice, it makes this drink deliciously tart.
• Grapefruit Soda – I love the sweetness and the bubbly component that grapefruit soda brings to this drink. Stay traditional and keep it simple by using Squirt®.
• Salt – Please don’t forget to rim the glass with salt or add a pinch of salt right in the glass.  You’ll be surprised how the bitterness of the grapefruit juice subsides, making this a bright and refreshing drink. 
• Ice – A Paloma cocktail is always better on the rocks!

Let's get started!  First, rub the rim of a Collins glass or mason jar with a lime wedge, and dip it in a small plate of salt. 

Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice with ice in a shaker.  Shake and strain into an ice filled glass. Now top off with the grapefruit soda, a pinch of salt and gently stir Don Javier style with the knife used to cut the lime. 

Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and a lime wedge. Enjoy!

You can find the ingredient measurements in the recipe below.

Paloma Recipe Tips

• Taste and adjust. Whenever you make a cocktail, taste and adjust to find the right balance of flavors. If you prefer a sweeter Paloma, add a pinch of salt right to the glass. We can thank Samin Nosrat for this tip. Want more citrus zing? Squeeze in extra lime. Taste again and adjust until you have made it the way you like it. This is the fun part!
• If it’s too strong, let the ice begin to melt. If your Paloma tastes too strong when you first try it, let it sit for a few minutes at room temperature. As the ice melts, it will dilute the drink. If it’s still stiffer than you’d like it to be, top off your glass with more Squirt®.
• Change it up!  This Paloma cocktail is also fantastic with some heat! To make it spicy, drop a few jalapeño slices into the tequila and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before you make your drink.
• Best served with spicy food. The Paloma paired with the slow-cooker pork carnitas will definitely liven' up the meal!   

Lastly, if you make this Paloma cocktail, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. 

And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! 

Pairings

These are some of my favorite dishes for two to serve while sipping on my paloma cocktail with grapefruit soda.

Easy Mexican Recipes

Looking for main event recipes that will pair perfectly with this easy paloma cocktail with grapefruit soda recipe? Try these: