Ten recipes for World Paloma Day – The Spirits Business

It’s World Paloma Day – whether you prefer yours with fresh juice or are a Jarritos loyalist, these recipes will challenge you to try something new.

While the Margarita might be the world’s favourite Tequila cocktail, the Paloma has been growing in popularity in recent years – with soft-drink brand Three Cents claiming it popularised the drink in Europe.

Here are our top 10 Paloma recipes – from the traditional to the twisted.

Fancy Pants Paloma

If you’re after something traditional but a little star-studded, this recipe blends Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Tequila with Blake Lively’s grapefruit soda.

Ingredients
40ml Pantalones Organic Reposado Tequila
90ml Betty Buzz Grapefruit
15ml Lime juice
Grapefruit and orange slice to garnish

Method
Combine Pantalones Organic Tequila, Betty Buzz Grapefruit, and lime juice into sea-salt-rimmed glass over ice. Stir the magic, then add a slice of grapefruit and a ‘citrusy parade’ of orange slices.

Pomegranate Paloma

If bitter isn’t your favourite flavour, head straight for this sweet and fruity option from Jose Cuervo.

Ingredients
60ml Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Tequila
30ml Pomegranate juice
90ml Grapefruit soda
Squeeze of a lime wedge
Pomegranate seeds or grapefruit slice for garnish

Method
Combine all ingredients into a highball glass without ice. Then add ice and garnish with either pomegranate seeds or a grapefruit slice.

Gran Copa Paloma

Conversely, if you find Palomas too sweet, Gran Centenario has added a touch of bitterness and spice for an elevated serve.

Ingredients
60ml Gran Centenario Reposado Tequila
22ml Pink grapefruit soda
30ml Fresh lime juice
15ml Agave syrup
2 dashes Orange bitters
Lime wedge for garnish
Chilli powder

Method
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain over ice cubes into a rocks glass rimmed with chilli powder.

Altos Paloma Royale

The Paloma is famous for being easy to make, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious too. This recipe from Altos adds a little sparkle.

Ingredients
50ml Altos Plata Tequila
25ml Fresh lemon juice
15ml Agave syrup
30ml Fresh grapefruit juice
30ml G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne

Method
Add all ingredients (except the Champagne) to a shaker with ice and shake. Serve into a tall glass. Top with the Mumm Brut. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and rosemary sprig.

La Paloma de Obsidiana

Mexico meets France in this recipe from Casa Obsidiana Tequila, which adds a fresh and delicate liqueur to boost the flavour and create an even more beautiful rose-pink colour.

Ingredients
45ml Casa Obsidiana Blanco
15ml Lillet Rose Liqueur
7ml Agave syrup
15ml Grapefruit juice
7ml Lime juice
90ml Mexican Squirt

Method
Combine all ingredients except soda & salt in a shaker, add ice, and shake lightly. Strain into a Highball glass with a grapefruit salt half rim, add fresh ice, then top with Mexican Squirt and garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Cazcabel Paloma

Some things don’t need a twist, but rather a finesse. This recipe from Cazcabel focuses on quality ingredients and balance.

Ingredients
50ml Cazcabel Blanco
10ml lime juice
Grapefruit soda
Pinch of sea salt

Method
Measure out the Blanco and lime juice and pour into a highball glass. Top with grapefruit soda and a pinch of salt. Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit.

The Earthy Paloma

If Tequila isn’t your vibe, this mezcal-based option for The Lost Explorer adds smoky vegetal notes to the classic grapefruit serve.

Ingredients
50ml The Lost Explorer Espadín
100ml Grapefruit juice
10ml Lime juice
Tonic water to top (optional)
Garnish with a grapefruit slice

Method
Combine all ingredients except tonic water in a shaker with ice. Shake it up. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Sit in the sunshine.

Ritual Paloma

Who says you need alcohol to make a great cocktail? This recipe uses Ritual’s ‘Tequila’ alternative – for a drink that’s all flavour and no hangover.

Ingredients
60ml Ritual Tequila Alternative
30ml Lime juice
60ml Grapefruit juice
7ml Agave nectar or simple syrup
Soda
Lime for garnish

Method
Pour Ritual Tequila alternative and lime juice into a glass with ice. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with lime.

Blood Orange Paloma

If deep pink is more your hue than Paloma pink, this recipe from Tequila Avión brings a bold taste of blood orange to the party.

Ingredients
30ml Tequila Avión Reserva Cristalino
15ml Fresh blood orange juice
7ml Lime juice
30ml Grapefruit juice
Blood orange slices and sea salt for garnish

Method
To begin, fill your glass with ice and add Tequila. Next, add fresh lime juice, fresh blood orange juice and grapefruit juice. You can also add agave nectar or simple syrup to make it sweeter. Stir everything together until thoroughly combined. Garnish your drink if desired.

Komos Strawberry Paloma

Pink Tequila in a Paloma just makes sense. Komos’ blanco Tequila is rested in French oak red wine barrels, which gives it its colour and a delicate sweetness. Pair it with a strawberry liqueur and you’ve found your new favourite summer drink.

Ingredients
45ml Komos Tequila Reposado Rosa
30ml Fresh grapefruit juice
15ml Giffard Strawberry Liqueur
15ml Lime juice
7ml Agave syrup
Soda water

Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with good ice and shake. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a strawberry.