Paloma weekend
Tequila cocktails are having a moment, and it's about time. While you may already be a margarita fan, there's another classic tequila drink you can enjoy: the Paloma. A tequila-based cocktail that checks ALL the boxes: light, refreshing, fizzy, slightly sweet and tart, a drink that makes you feel good and that you can really enjoy.
Translating from Spanish as 'dove', the Paloma is a tried-and-tested favourite throughout Mexico. It's unlikely to be the first Mexican cocktail that comes to mind – Margarita, anyone? – so it may come as a surprise that the Paloma is actually considered Mexico's national drink. And with the perfect combination of sweet 'n' sour flavours, why wouldn't it be?
Its origin story is nebulous, but most accounts suggest it was invented in the 1950s. There are only urban legends about it, but no Pindar theory. It seems that good old Don Javier Delgado Corona, the patron and bartender of La Capilla in Tequila, invented it. And given the name of the place where the restaurant is located, no one has any objection.
HOW TO MAKE A PERFECT PALOMA?
Patron Paloma
Inspired by sunny Sydney, this Paloma is perfected by Patrón Silver, sweet touches of honey and grapefruit and a splash of spice.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 45ml Patrón Silver
- 30ml Grapefruit juice
-15ml Soda
- 15ml Lime juice
- 10ml Honey water
- 1 drop Habenero sauce
+Chili and lime wheel for garnish
HOW TO MAKE IT
Add all ingredients except soda to a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Top off with soda. Garnish with chili and lime wheel.
BLOOD ORANGE PALOMA
A delightful twist on the paloma starring sweet blood orange and the citrusy kick of Blanco.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 42ml Don Julio Blanco
- 170 ml San Pellegrino Blood Orange Sparkling Water
- Chili Lime Rim
- Blood orange wedges
- Lime wedges
HOW TO MAKE IT
Add Don Julio Blanco to a rocks glass. Top with San Pellegrino Blood Orange Sparkling Water. Garnish with blood orange and lime wedges.
SMOKY THYME PALOMA
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 30ml Casamigos Mezcal
- 30ml Casamigos Reposado Tequila
- 30ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
-15ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 15ml Simple Syrup
- 3 Dried Thyme Sprigs
- Splash of Lemon Lime Soda
HOW TO MAKE IT
Combine all ingredients into tin shaker. Muddle Thyme. Add ice. Shake well. Fine strain into a collins glass. Add fresh crushed ice and top off with lemon lime soda. Garnish with Lime Wheel and Thyme.
CASA PALOMA
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 40ml oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila or Casamigos Reposado Tequila
- 30ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 20ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 15ml Agave Nectar
- 2 Dashes Orange Bitters
- Splash of Sparkling Pink
- Grapefruit by Fever Tree
HOW TO MAKE IT
Combine all ingredients, except grapefruit soda into tin shaker. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into collins glass. Add fresh ice, top off with grapefruit soda. Garnish with Half-Moon Grapefruit Slice
NOTE – For a Smoky variation, swap out Casamigos Blanco Tequila or Casamigos Reposado Tequila for Casamigos Mezcal Joven
Patron Tokyo Paloma
The fresh flavors of Tokyo are infused into this sweet, sparkling green tea and Patrón Silver Paloma.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 45ml Patrón Silver
- 60ml Matcha green tea
- 5ml Agave syrup
- 5ml Lime juice
- 100ml Grapefruit Tonic water
HOW TO MAKE IT
Combine all ingredients except the tonic water in a shaker with ice. Shake to chill and combine. Strain into a collins glass filled with fresh ice. Top slowly with tonic water.
PINA PALOMA
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 55ml 1800® Blanco
- 100ml Jarritos Pineapple
- 15ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 30ml Lime Juice
HOW TO MAKE IT
Build over ice in a highball glass and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel and pineapple leaves. Salted rim optional.
SASHA SAYS:
"When you think of tequila, you think of Margarita. Am I right? It used to be the same for me, but not anymore! Not since I discovered the Paloma Cocktail. Nothing against the margarita, but I have been looking to expand our tequila horizons lately and this delicious cocktail is a winner. Wherever you are headed this summer, this crisp, grapefruit-flavored Paloma Cocktail, which is easy to make and quenches summer thirsts like no other, could become your new favorite tequila drink."