People love tequila. As a bartender, I’d confidently wager that tequila shots top the list of most requested drinks. Unfortunately, when it comes to mixing tequila into a cocktail, most people only think of margaritas. While margaritas are undeniably delicious, I’m not always in the mood for one, and they aren’t to everyone’s taste. Fortunately, there’s an equally delightful alternative: the Paloma.
Palomas are arguably easier to make than margaritas, requiring no shaking, and no one ever asks for a blended one. The bitterness of the grapefruit creates a perfectly balanced drink. While they are somewhat sweet, they aren’t as sweet as margaritas. I’m a big fan of Palomas; they’re a fantastic tequila mixed drink in a category that lacks a lot of options.
Historians have never been able to agree on where the Paloma originated, but there is a lot of speculation. Many believe Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner of La Capilla, the oldest bar in Jalisco, Mexico created the drink. However, history suggests that he denies that claim. He is credited with the creation of many other cocktails. An alternative that is believed is that the drink was created in the 1950s with the popular grapefruit soda, Squirt, taking off and being mixed with tequila. "La Paloma" also means "the dove" in Spanish, and it is believed it could have been named that for the white-ish color of the drink. With the lack of written history about cocktails it is almost impossible to know where the Paloma originated, but somewhere in Mexico around the 1950s seems to be a safe bet.
Just like other cocktails, this is one that I encourage people to make following a recipe the first time and adjust to their taste afterward. Not everyone enjoys their cocktails the same, and making them at home means having them exactly how you like.
This Paloma recipe calls for grapefruit soda, but you could also make the grapefruit soda yourself relatively easily. If you have these ingredients on hand, it could save you a trip to the grocery store! The recipe for just the grapefruit soda is as follows:
1 oz agave or simple syrup
3 oz grapefruit juice
2 oz soda water
Unlike many other cocktail recipes, making a Paloma does not require bartending tools. One thing that will always apply is the quality of ingredients. The higher the quality of the ingredients in your cocktail the better it will taste. It's time to dive in! Happy cocktail making!
Recipe:
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
Grapefruit soda
Salt for rim
Directions:
Use a lime or grapefruit wedge to rim the glass. Dip rim of glass into a plate of salt.
Add tequila and lime juice to glass.
Add ice to top of glass.
Top with grapefruit soda and stir.
Garnish with grapefruit wedge if desired.