Mezcal Paloma Recipe
If you love a good margarita, you are going to love this simple, grapefruit cocktail. This paloma recipe is made with smoky mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water for a refreshing drink that you can enjoy all summer long.
Cocktails have become a regular occurrence in our house of the past few months that we’ve been stuck at home, and this is one thing I’m not complaining about.
It’s been really fun experimenting and having something other than our usual pineapple margaritas or brandy old fashioned. We’ve tried prickly pear margaritas, elderberry gin cocktails and even this amazing Brazilian coconut cocktail.
This mezcal paloma was an instant hit, and I know we’ll be making regularly from now on.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Juice reamer
- Jigger
- Glass rimmer
- Cocktail glasses
Ingredients
- Mezcal
- Triple sec
- Grapefruit juice
- Lime juice
- Sparkling water
Ingredients note: if you don’t have mezcal at home, you can easily substitute tequila in this paloma recipe. You can also use pomelo instead of grapefruit!
How to make a paloma
Traditionally, palomas are made with grapefruit soda, but I’m not a huge fan of the added sugar, so I juiced some grapefruits we had on hand.
I got about 1 cup of grapefruit juice from 2 grapefruits, but it can vary so if you’re going to the store, buy a few extra. You can always use them for garnish.
Mixing the cocktail itself is so easy. Just shake the mezcal, triple sec and lim/grapefruit juice with ice until it’s super cold.
Strain the cocktail into two rimmed glasses and top with your favorite sparkling water. We used Topo Chico, but any bubbly water will work. You can even use soda, if you want.
This drink would be great with:
More cocktail recipes you’ll love:
What mixes good with mezcal?
Mezcal pairs really well with a variety of ingredients. It goes particularly well with citrus fruit, such as the grapefruit used in this drink.
Why is the drink called Paloma?
Paloma means dove in Spanish, and the drink is named after a popular Mexicna folk song called La Paloma.
What is in a Paloma?
Traditionally, a paloma is made with tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda, but this recipe is made with mezcal and grapefruit juice.
How many calories are in a Paloma?
This paloma recipe carries about 150 calories, which is a bit lower than a traditional paloma made with grapefruit soda.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces mezcal
- 1.5 ounces triple sec
- 1.5 ounces lime juice
- 6 ounces grapefruit juice (1-2 grapefruits, juiced)
- Sparkling water or club soda
- Ice
- Grapefruit slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Rim two cocktail glasses with salt (or sugar, if preferred) and fill with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine mezcal, triple sec, lime juice, and grapefruit juice. Shake until very cold.
- Strain into prepared glasses and top with sparkling water.
- Garnish with a grapefruit slice before serving.
I love a good Paloma on a sunny day. This recipe was amazing!
Planning to make this week!! What’s your opinion on using S. Pelegríno mineral sparkling water vs standard sparkling water? I’m wondering if there’s a difference.
I’ve used both plain club soda and topo chico mineral water for this, so I think either will work fine!