Time for a Drink: The Paloma

Cocktail Concoctions

Posted by Paul Clarke, July 27, 2007 at 5:10 PM

Let's get this weekend started right. Here's a cocktail to kick things off. Need more than one? Here you go. Cheers!

If you were to take a pop quiz on mixed drinks, the average cocktail enthusiast would be able to rattle off at least a half-dozen gin libations; ditto for rum, and quite possibly for whiskey.

Tequila? Not so much. Go ahead and take a point for the Margarita—that’s an easy one; and then there’s the Tequila Sunrise, with its aura of floral shirts and Jimmy Buffett. Dedicated mixologists may cite the cassis-laden goodness of the Diablo, while others may guiltily offer up a Freddie Fudpucker or a Long Island Iced Tea. It’s OK; we’ve all been there at one time.

To this small list, add a delightful contribution to the summer-satisfaction arsenal: the Paloma. Commonly found in regions where tequila is produced as well as consumed, the Paloma seems deceptively simple. In truth, this drink manages to cover the bases when it comes to flavor receptors, and its lively taste and gentle effervescence make it a great seasonal refresher. You may have to hunt down one of the ingredients (depending on your proximity to the nearest bodega), but trust me—you’ll find more happiness with the Paloma than with any drink named Freddie.

Paloma

Fill a 10-ounce Collins glass with ice, and add:

2 ounces reposado tequila (be sure to use only 100 percent agave tequila)

The juice of 1/2 a lime

Pinch of coarse salt

The spent lime shell, for garnish

Top with grapefruit soda. Jarritos, from Mexico, works very well, but you can also try the Jamaican brand Ting. If you can’t find a suitable grapefruit soda, use Sprite or the like, and add a squirt of fresh grapefruit juice.

About the author: Paul Clarke blogs about cocktails at The Cocktail Chronicles and writes regularly on spirits and cocktails for Imbibe magazine. He lives in Seattle, where he works as a writer and magazine editor.

7 Comments | Tags: cocktails, drinks, grapefruit soda, tequila

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7 Comments:

I hate to even mention this but when you live both in the hinterlands and the poor house,(six kids), the Wal-Mart brand of Grapefruit soda with a squeeze of fresh lime works pretty good. And lets you save your money for the Tequila. I especially like the Jose Cuervo Traditional in the numbered bottles. My Wal-Mar liqour store has them for $17 and at that price they are a very nice resposado.

timjertson at 10:21PM on 07/27/07

Thanks for the tip, timjertson. I had a friend email me about where to get grapefruit soda, and now I can pass along this advice.

Adam Kuban at 12:19PM on 07/28/07

"How bout a Fresca? Huh?" - Judge Smails.

Anyone try it with a Fresca?

wfnugent at 5:54AM on 07/29/07

Dunno about Fresca, but the improbable combination of Squirt and Rose's Lime juice actually works quite well: 3 shots Tequila, 1 shot Rose's and 1 12-ounce can of Squirt. Pucker up!

andmore at 8:32AM on 07/30/07

Veering away from grapefruit, I'm a huge fan of Jarritos Tamarindo & tequila.

Oakland Aaron at 1:41PM on 07/30/07

Tried it with fresca over the weekend and did not like it at all. But I did not add fresh lime juice and I think that would have made a big difference. Trader Joe's makes a good grapefruit Italian soda - might be good in this recipe.

jcb33 at 7:31PM on 05/05/08

I was also thinking Fresca.....

Soup of The Day at 9:39PM on 05/05/08

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