The Paloma is a Mexican cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit, and it is the drink Mexico actually reaches for - more everyday than the margarita, and arguably more refreshing. At its simplest it is blanco tequila, grapefruit soda and a squeeze of lime over ice, with a pinch of salt. Light, tart and a little bitter, it is built for heat and for long evenings. At Silent H on King West, it sits right next to the margarita on the list. Here is what makes it, and how to make it well.
What is in a Paloma
The classic Paloma is two parts blanco tequila, a good squeeze of fresh lime, and grapefruit soda to top - traditionally Squirt or Jarritos in Mexico. Build it in a tall glass over ice, add a pinch of salt to sharpen the grapefruit, and garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge. That is the whole thing. The magic is in the grapefruit, which is bitter, sweet and sour all at once, so the drink does a lot with very little.
Paloma versus margarita
Both are tequila cocktails, but they pull in different directions. A margarita is tequila, lime and orange liqueur - citrus-forward and a touch sweet. A Paloma swaps the orange liqueur for grapefruit and soda, which makes it longer, fizzier, more bitter and lower in sugar. If a margarita is a cocktail, a Paloma is closer to a highball - the one you can drink two of on a patio.
How to make it better
Use fresh grapefruit juice and a splash of soda instead of bottled grapefruit soda, and it climbs from good to excellent - drier, sharper, more alive. Reach for a decent blanco so the agave shows. Salt the rim if you like, and keep it cold and tall. For a smoky version, swap in mezcal for half the tequila and you have a mezcal Paloma, which trades brightness for depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Paloma cocktail?
A Paloma is a Mexican highball made with tequila, grapefruit, lime and soda over ice, usually with a pinch of salt. It is lighter, fizzier and more bitter than a margarita, and the most popular tequila cocktail in Mexico.
What is the difference between a Paloma and a margarita?
A margarita is tequila, lime and orange liqueur, served short and citrus-forward. A Paloma replaces the orange liqueur with grapefruit and soda, making it a longer, fizzier, more bitter and lower-sugar drink.
What tequila is best in a Paloma?
A blanco tequila, so the bright agave character stands up to the grapefruit. Save aged tequilas for sipping neat.
How do you make a Paloma from scratch?
Build two parts blanco tequila, a squeeze of fresh lime and fresh grapefruit juice over ice in a tall glass, top with a splash of soda, add a pinch of salt, and garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge.