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paloma

(1 rating)
Kitchen Crew
By Kitchen Crew

Tall, refreshing, and simply a fabulous tequila cocktail, the Paloma is a wonderful drink for any occasion, and it’s incredibly easy to make. The featured ingredient (beyond tequila, of course) is grapefruit soda, which gives it a sweet tartness that is guaranteed to enliven your taste buds. The basic Paloma recipe requires tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda; a trio that comes together in a perfect harmony of taste sensations. There’s also almost no mixing involved...just pour, stir, and sip!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Choose a mid-range blanco tequila that you’d mix into a margarita. Then, be sure to use fresh lime juice, as bottled versions cannot replicate the real citrus flavor. From there, it’s all about the grapefruit soda; you have several choices, each with a slightly different taste. Experiment! The Paloma favorite has long been Mexico’s Jarritos, and Squirt is an easy-to-find alternative. The grapefruit sparkling beverages from brands like Fresca, Izze, Q Drinks, and Fever Tree are fun in a Paloma as well. The sweet-tart balance of each varies, so adjust the lime accordingly, and, if you need to sweeten the drink a bit, stir in a splash of simple syrup or agave nectar. The salt rim is optional, but it does add dimension. Be sure to serve it with an extra lime wedge or two so you can squeeze a bit more into the drink as needed.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(1 rating)
yield 1 drink(s)
prep time 5 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For paloma

  • lime wedge, for rimming and garnish
  • salt
  • 2 oz
    blanco (silver) tequila
  • 1/4 - 1/2 oz
    freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1/2 - 1 lime), to taste
  • ice
  • 4 - 6 oz
    grapefruit soda, to taste
  • flaky sea salt, for garnish

How To Make paloma

  • salt rim
    1
    If desired, rim a highball glass with salt: Wipe the rim with a lime wedge, then roll it in a small disk of sea salt or a margarita salt blend.
  • tequila, lime juice, and ice
    2
    Add the tequila and fresh lime juice to a glass. Add the ice.
  • Paloma garnished with a lime
    3
    Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a lime wedge.
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