Paloma
This recipe crafts a refreshing Paloma cocktail, featuring a homemade grapefruit simple syrup, silver tequila, fresh grapefruit and lime juices, and topped with chilled club soda. It's a vibrant, balanced drink perfect for a light, refreshing experience.
Equipment
- 1 Small Saucepan For preparing the simple syrup
- 1 Fine-Mesh Strainer To remove zest from simple syrup
- 1 Cocktail Shaker For mixing and chilling the cocktail
- 1 Jigger or Measuring Spoons/Cups For accurate ingredient measurements
- 4 Serving Glasses For presenting the finished cocktails
Ingredients
Main
- For the Grapefruit Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
- 6 2- in. strips grapefruit zest
- For the Paloma:
- 1 cup Ruby Red grapefruit juice chilled
- ½ cup 4 oz. silver tequila (do not use mezcal), chilled
- 2 tablespoons Grapefruit Simple Syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice from 1 lime
- ¾ cup club soda chilled
- Grapefruit peel twists
Instructions
- Prepare grapefruit zest for the simple syrup, ensuring no white pith is included.
- Combine granulated sugar, water, and grapefruit zest in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir continuously until the sugar fully dissolves, then remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Allow the simple syrup to cool completely, letting the zest infuse its flavor as it cools.
- Strain the cooled simple syrup through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the zest, then chill thoroughly.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the chilled Ruby Red grapefruit juice, silver tequila, chilled grapefruit simple syrup, and fresh lime juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
- Fill four serving glasses with fresh ice.
- Strain the cocktail mixture evenly into the prepared glasses.
- Top each drink with chilled club soda and garnish with a grapefruit peel twist.
Notes
For the simple syrup, ensure you only use the colored zest, avoiding the bitter white pith. Simmer just until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool completely and infuse. Always use well-chilled ingredients for a crisp, refreshing cocktail. The recipe specifies silver tequila; mezcal will dramatically alter the flavor profile. Adjust the amount of grapefruit simple syrup and lime juice to achieve your preferred balance of sweet and tart. For presentation and aroma, a freshly cut grapefruit peel twist is essential. Add club soda last, gently, to maintain effervescence.