Paloma Perfección
Ahhhh, Southern Baja is arguably one of the easy-breeziest parts of Mexico. Last year for my 50th birthday, we took a road-trip to the various beach towns along the southern peninsula. It seemed like wherever we went to go snorkeling & scuba-diving in Cabo Pulmo, finding a hidden beach spot at Playa Balandra outside of La Paz, or perusing the shops in Todo Santos, all the town bars featured the classic Paloma—light, refreshing & absolutely delicious.
As the quarantines continue here in the states, I’ve been missing sunny Baja lately, so I decided to make some tasty Palomas. And while this drink is deceiving simply, I’ve found that just the right quantities of the few ingredients can make this cocktail “perfecctión absoluto!” Balanced with a nice fresh tartness and a bit of sweetness without being too cloy is the ticket with this citrus standby.
For the tequila, I’ve got 2 favorite go-to spirits I put in my Palomas. There’s my all-star player: Sauza Hornitos Reposado— and while some folks may look past this mass-produced big tequila brand, the 100% de agave 3-month aged reposado has a wonderful pale straw color, and an absolute lovely light flavor that NEVER fights with the various other ingredients in many tequila cocktails. Plus, I can often find it on sale at my large local liquor store for around $25 for a 1.75L handle—perfect for party cocktails your guests will slurp down by the pitcher and keep coming back for more!
Secondly, if you’re looking for a tequila that makes this cocktail something truly remarkable, try the more expensive CASAMIGOS Reposado with its notes of caramel & rock candy for an ultra-complex sipping paloma. Yeah, I know there’s a lot of unnecessary hype over Mr. Clooney’s tequila, but it truly is as delicious, as he is debonaire— hands down, possibly one of the most exotic Palomas that will surely whisk you off to paradise.
Paloma Perfección Ingredients (for 2 drinks)
6 oz. Tequila
2 Fresh-squeezed Limes
1 Fresh-squeezed Grapefruit
1 Bottle of Q Mixers Spectacular Grapefruit
3 oz. Water (mellows the grapefruit juice just a skosh)
Paloma Perfección Instructions
PICK A GLASS
Excellenté en our 15 oz. Zombie glass.FILL WITH ICE
I always try to have proper store bought cocktail ice on hand in my freezer— it just tastes better, and the clear ice presents so much nicer when you have guests over. If you can find it, Reddy Ice® is my favorite of the nationally distributed brands in terms of shape, texture & appearance.MIX AWAY
Shake the fruit juices, water & tequila in with some ice in a shaker. Pour in 2 glasses, then top off both glasses with the one bottle of Q Mixers grapefruit (about 3 oz. per glass). Note: Try NOT to stir too much after the mixer is in— it will only break the carbonation, losing the cocktail’s effervescence.GARNISH IT
A nice slice of grapefruit is the way to go!
