Best Paloma Cocktail Recipe: Authentic Mexican Drink

Here’s the best Paloma cocktail recipe, designed to showcase the authentic and refreshing flavors of Mexico’s most popular cocktail. Combining tequila blanco, fresh pink grapefruit juice, and a touch of agave nectar, this simple cocktail highlights a perfect balance of citrusy sweetness with a crisp, tart edge. If you’re eager to enjoy a quintessential Mexican drink that combines simplicity with vibrant grapefruit flavors, this is your go-to guide.

Origin

The name “Paloma,” which is the Spanish word for “dove,” holds an intriguing origin that isn’t well-documented but is rich with theories:

• Named after a folk song: The cocktail might have been named after “La Paloma,” a popular song from the early 1860s by Spanish composer Sebastián Iradier, capturing the hearts of many in Mexico.
• Don Javier Delgado Corona: Another theory suggests that this classic drink was concocted by Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner of La Capilla bar in Tequila, Mexico, renowned for his tequila drinks, though no definitive proof links him directly to its creation.

Popularity

Tequila’s rise on the international market during the 1950s and 1960s made the Paloma a common pick among those seeking a refreshing alternative to the more complex classic margarita or the sweeter cocktail variations.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Reposado tequila (Tequila blanco can also be used for a less mature flavor)
• 1/2 oz lime juice (fresh juice)
• 1 oz fresh pink grapefruit juice (for the best flavor)
• 1/2 oz simple syrup (can adjust based on sweetness preference; simple syrup is sometimes a more stable sweetener than agave nectar)
• 2 oz grapefruit soda (soda water can be substituted for a less sweet version)
• A pinch of kosher salt
• Ice cubes
• For garnish: lime wedge, grapefruit wedge, and a salted rim (using coarse sea salt or flaky sea salt)
• Optional additions:
  • Jalapeño peppers for a spicy twist
  • A splash of orange liqueur for added depth

Tools:

• Cocktail shaker
• Small plate (for the salt rim)
• Tall glass

Instructions:

1. Prepare the glass:
   • Spread a small amount of kosher salt on a small plate.
   • Moisten the rim of the glass with a lime wedge, then dip into the salt to coat the rim evenly. Set aside.
2. Mix the drink:
   • In the cocktail shaker, combine the reposado tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and a pinch of salt.
   • Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to chill and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Assemble the cocktail:
   • Fill the prepared glass with ice cubes.
   • Strain the mixture from the shaker into the glass over the ice.
   • Top off with grapefruit soda and gently stir to combine.
4. Garnish and serve:
   • Garnish with a wedge of lime and grapefruit on the rim or floating in the drink.
   • Optionally, add a few slices of jalapeño to the glass for a spicy Paloma.

This delicious Paloma cocktail is the perfect mix of tartness, sweetness, and a hint of saltiness, making it the perfect cocktail for happy hour or any festive gathering. Enjoy the fresh, zesty flavors of this classic Mexican Paloma at your next celebration!