Tequila cocktails: Margaritas, Palomas and more oh my!

Altos Crafted Paloma, photo provided by Altos Plata

Flavorful Palomas

Considered Mexico’s favorite cocktail, the Paloma is a quite refreshing cocktail. While grapefruit season doesn’t necessarily coincide with National Tequila Day, grapefruits, grapefruit juice and other grapefruit flavored beverages are relatively common year round.

Paloma actually means dove. Some people consider it the perfect tequila cocktail. The simplicity of this cocktail makes it delightful on a warm day.

Generally, this cocktail is made with grapefruit soda. Many mixologists have changed the recipe to include grapefruit juice, flavored seltzer and other ingredients. Some people add salt to the rim, similar to a margarita.

The original recipe for a Paloma is just tequila and grapefruit soda. This version from Altos boosts the grapefruit flavor with some additional ingredients. It is one of FoodSided’s preferred versions.

"Paloma Ingredients: • 2 parts Altos Plata • ½ part fresh lime juice • ½ part agave syrup • 3 parts fresh grapefruit juice • Grapefruit (for the garnish) Method: • Mix all ingredients except grapefruit juice in a glass • Fill with ice and finish with grapefruit juice • Garnish with half slice of pink grapefruit"

jalapeno paloma, photo provided by bubly

Since a Paloma is relatively simple, it can be highlighted with other flavors as well.

"Jalapeno Paloma Ingredients: • 3 oz. grapefruit bubly • 1 oz. Tequila • ½ oz. Triple Sec • 1 oz. Lime Juice • Jalapeno Puree • Salted rim Method: Salt rim of rocks glass and fill with ice. Mix jalapeno puree with lime juice. Add ice, tequila, and triple sec. Shake until mixing tin becomes frosted on the outside. Strain into salted rocks glass filled with ice. Top with grapefruitbubly. Stir and garnish."