As far as tequila goes, I can forgive folks for believing that its applications start and end with afternoon margaritas and shots on a raucous evening on the town. Despite this, there is more to this fiery agave spirit than meets the eye, with a whole world of Mexican-themed cocktails to discover. Most of these seem to be reworked versions of the classics, however, I will kick off with one that stands out on its own, the delicious Paloma Cocktail.
A Fresh Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 50ml Tequila (100% Agave)
- 15ml Lime Juice
- 50ml Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice
- 20ml Simple Sugar Syrup (use strawberry simple syrup for a more vibrant colour)
- 50ml Soda Water
- 130g Ice
- 1 pinch Salt
Instructions
- Place 50ml of Tequila, 50ml of freshly squeezed Pink Grapefruit Juice, 15ml Lime Juice and 20ml of Simple Sugar Syrup in a cocktail shaker along with around 30g of Ice (3 cubes)
- Take the device with both hands, holding the lid firmly closed, and shake it like a maniac for around 10 seconds
- Fill a fancy highball glass to the brim with ice, then strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into it
- Top up with 50ml of Soda Water, and drop in a pinch of Salt, then stir casually
- Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and any other fancy embellishments you see fit
- Drink at your leisure
Nutrition
Additional Points of Note when Making a Paloma Cocktail
Can’t Find a Grapefruit for your Paloma Cocktail?
For some people, this may seem odd, but the humble grapefruit can prove rather elusive in some parts of the world. So, folks craving a Paloma Cocktail but without access to a fresh version of the fruit can substitute it for a grapefruit flavoured carbonated soft drink. In these instances, folks should hold back on the simple sugar syrup, as it will likely come ready sweetened. I have it on good authority that Mexicans use a local soft drink called ‘Squirt‘ for their Palomas, however, that same authority also advises against it due to its insane sugar levels.
The Best Tequila for a Paloma Cocktail
As with any cocktail where Tequila is the star ingredient, mixers should carefully select the bottle for their boozy endeavours. What you are essentially looking for, is a good mid-range Tequila that proudly boasts “100% Agave” on the label. In order to cut costs, many of the main players in low cost Tequila circles have slyly reduced their Agave content over the years, so make sure you go for something decent. When making cocktails like these, I usually go for Olmeca Altos Plata, or Olmeca Altos Reposado (depending what mood I’m in), both of which offer a cocktail quality 100% Agave Tequila at a reasonable price point.
Other Uses for that Bottle of Tequila
Now that you’ve uncorked that bottle of tequila, you may as well have a play around with a few more cocktails. Currently published on the Tasty Morsels website, I have the infamous Margarita Cocktail, and the sometimes deadly, Long Island Iced Tea. If you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, however, you can try looking up the Cantarito cocktail, which I fully intend to document at some point.
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