The Paloma is a refreshing and popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice, and salt. It’s a simple combination that balances sweet, sour, salty, and boozy flavors. The key alcoholic ingredient that gives the Paloma its kick is tequila.
Tequila is the Main Alcohol in a Paloma
Tequila is distilled from the blue agave plant and originates in the region surrounding the city of Tequila in Mexico. It’s the main spirit used in a traditional Paloma cocktail. Without tequila, it wouldn’t have that distinctive agave flavor.
Types of Tequila
There are two primary varieties of tequila that can be used in Paloma cocktails:
- Blanco or silver tequila – This is unaged white tequila. It has a bold, sharp flavor that makes it perfect for Palomas. Blanco tequila provides a clean base that allows the other ingredients to shine.
- Reposado tequila – This tequila is aged in oak barrels for 2 to 12 months, giving it a mellow, smoky taste. Reposado tequila can add lovely hints of vanilla and spices to a Paloma cocktail.
While other types like añejo (aged 1-3 years) and extra añejo (aged over 3 years) can technically be used, blanco and reposado are more traditional choices. The younger tequilas tend to work best with the bright citrus and salty flavors.
Recommended Tequila Brands
There are countless excellent tequila brands to choose from when making a Paloma, including:
- Espolòn Blanco – An affordable and mixable unaged tequila.
- Casamigos Blanco – A smoother blanco with hints of vanilla and spice.
- Patrón Silver – A premium silver tequila with fruit and black pepper notes.
- El Jimador Reposado – A budget-friendly reposado tequila.
- Corralejo Reposado – A rounder, slightly oaky reposado.
The specific tequila you use will impact the flavor profile, so it’s worth experimenting. But any 100% agave blanco or reposado tequila will work beautifully in a Paloma.
Grapefruit Soda Adds Sweetness and Acidity
In addition to tequila, the other characteristic ingredient in a Paloma cocktail is grapefruit soda. The most common brand used is Jarritos, a Mexican soda made with real grapefruit juice.
The grapefruit soda adds a sweet, tart flavor that perfectly complements the tequila. It also contributes carbonation to make the drink refreshing.
Some Paloma recipes will simply use fresh grapefruit juice with a splash of club soda instead of grapefruit soda. But the pre-made soda streamlines the cocktail and provides balanced sweetness.
Other Paloma Mixers
While grapefruit soda is traditional in a Paloma, some modern variations use other citrus sodas or juices, such as:
- Pink grapefruit soda
- Blood orange soda
- Pineapple juice
- Tangerine juice
- Lemon-lime soda
Feel free to experiment with different citrus flavors to put your own spin on the cocktail. Just be sure to keep it fruity and bubbly to complement the tequila.
Lime Juice Adds Acidic Tartness
In addition to grapefruit soda, fresh lime juice is usually added to a Paloma. The lime provides an extra hit of acidity to balance the sweetness.
Key limes are the most traditional choice, as they are a Mexican staple ingredient. However, standard Persian limes work well too.
Just the fresh-squeezed juice is added to the cocktail – no need for lime wedges or slices. The bright, tart juice is enough to give the drink that subtle lime complexity.
Sour Mix Alternative
Some Paloma recipes will substitute a pre-made sour mix for the fresh lime juice. The bottled citrus juice blend provides both lemon and lime flavors.
While quicker and more convenient, the sour mix results in a less fresh, vibrant citrus taste. Fresh-squeezed lime juice is ideal, but the sour mix can work in a pinch.
Salt Rim Enhances Flavor
A defining feature of a properly made Paloma is the salted glass rim. Before pouring the cocktail into the glass, the rim is coated with lime juice and then dipped in coarse sea salt or kosher salt.
This salt rim adds a hint of briny flavor with each sip. It also nicely offsets the sweet and sour flavors.
The coarse grains of sea salt or kosher salt adhere best to the rim. Finer table salt lacks the crunch and pops of saltiness.
Skip the Salt
Some versions of the Paloma are made without the salted rim, which allows the other flavors to shine through more clearly.
Omitting the salt also prevents the drink from becoming too aggressively salty. But for an authentic experience, go for the salt!
Standard Paloma Cocktail Recipe
The traditional Paloma is made by combining tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice, and salt. Here is a basic recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco or reposado tequila
- 3-4 ounces fresh grapefruit soda (e.g. Jarritos)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge and coarse salt for glass rim
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge along the outer rim of a glass and dip into a dish of coarse salt to coat.
- Fill the prepared glass with ice.
- Add tequila and lime juice.
- Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.
This creates a refreshing cocktail with the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty undertones blended with tequila. Adjust the recipe to your tastes by adding more or less soda, juice, or salt.
Creative Paloma Variations
While the classic tequila, grapefruit, lime, and salt combo is tough to beat, some creative mixologists have put fun twists on the Paloma by incorporating additional ingredients.
Fruity Palomas
For a more fruit-forward drink, try adding:
- Slices of fresh grapefruit or orange
- A splash of cranberry juice
- Muddled blackberries or raspberries
- Pineapple wedge or juice
Spicy Palomas
For some heat, consider incorporating:
- A few dashes of hot sauce
- Splash of jalapeño juice
- Slice of fresh jalapeño or serrano chili
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Muddled fresh ginger
Herbal Palomas
Some herbs that complement the flavors include:
- Sprig of mint
- Sprig of basil
- Rosemary sprig
- Thyme sprig
- Sprig of lavender
Feel free to mix and match various fruits, spices, and herbs to invent your own signature Paloma recipe!
Potential Alcohol Substitutions
While tequila may be traditional, vodka, rum, or even mezcal could potentially sub in for tequila in a Paloma. However, the flavor will change significantly without that authentic agave taste.
You can also make “Paloma-inspired” cocktails using various citrus sodas paired with spirits like gin or cognac, and adding corresponding herbs and fruits. Get creative with the concept, but keep tequila in the mix for a true Paloma.
Non-Alcoholic Paloma
Skip the booze altogether to make refreshing non-alcoholic Palomas:
- Substitute plain soda water for tequila
- Use non-alcoholic tequila alternative like Ritual Zero Proof
- Replace tequila with sparkling water or ginger beer
Mix up grapefruit soda, lime juice, and salt as normal but omit any spirit. Garnish the mocktail with grapefruit slices. Kids and non-drinkers can enjoy this fun twist!
The Paloma’s Mexican Origins
The Paloma was created in Mexico, likely sometime in the mid 20th century. In Spanish, “paloma” means “dove” – an apt name for this smooth, delicate cocktail.
One legend claims it was invented in the 1940s or 1950s by Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner of La Capilla bar in Tequila, Jalisco. The town was already famous for tequila production, making it a natural place for tequila cocktails to emerge.
The simplicity of the Paloma highlights Mexico’s thirst-quenching native ingredients – juicy citrus fruits, salty sea salt, and of course, agave-based tequila. It’s an authentic taste of Mexico in cocktail form.
International Popularity
While born in Mexico, the Paloma went on to achieve worldwide popularity. In the US, it surged in popularity as tequila’s reputation improved from a cheap shot to an upscale spirit.
Vibrant grapefruit cocktails also aligned with growing consumer interest in fresh, quality ingredients. The Paloma offered an approachable introduction to high-end tequila.
It’s now firmly embedded in the canon of classic cocktails served from Mexico to Melbourne. Tequila makes it special, but the drink’s sheer refreshment makes it universally appealing.
Paloma Cocktail FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the flavors, ingredients, and origins of the Paloma cocktail:
Why is it called a Paloma?
“Paloma” means dove in Spanish, likely named for its smooth, delicate flavor profile. A bar owner in Tequila, Mexico supposedly invented it and chose the poetic name.
What kind of tequila goes in a Paloma?
Blanco (silver) and reposado tequilas are traditional. Their youthful flavors complement the bright citrus soda and lime juice. Stay away from darker anejo tequilas.
Is mezcal OK to use instead of tequila in a Paloma?
Mezcal can work but will have a smokier, more robust taste. For true Paloma flavor, stick to blanco or reposado tequila made from 100% agave.
Can you use vodka or rum instead of tequila?
Vodka or white rum could potentially substitute for tequila, but you’ll lose the signature agave flavor. The cocktail may not taste like a true Paloma.
What soda is used in a Paloma?
Grapefruit-flavored soda like Jarritos is traditional and most common. But other citrus sodas can also work, just with a different fruit profile.
Should a Paloma be served on the rocks or straight up?
On the rocks, to allow dilution melting ice. The drink shouldn’t be served straight up without ice – dilution is key for proper Paloma balance.
What glass should you use for a Paloma?
A classic highball glass with ice is traditional and recommended. A salt-rimmed wine glass or tumbler can also work well.
Where was the Paloma invented?
Legend has it the cocktail was created in a bar called La Capilla in Tequila, Mexico – the birthplace of tequila production.
Conclusion
The Paloma beautifully combines refreshing tequila, tangy citrus, and a dash of salt for a quintessential Mexican cocktail. While creative riffs exist, tequila remains the essential base spirit that defines this drink.
Its origins can be traced back to the mid 20th century in the town of Tequila, where Palomas were likely first concocted using local blanco tequila, fresh grapefruit, and Mexican limes. This simple recipe has become a worldwide sensation.
So next time you sip a Paloma, raise your glass to Mexico and the distinctive flavor of tequila that makes this cocktail so delightful. Skål!