Paloma cocktail recipe

Translating from Spanish as ‘dove’, the Paloma is a tried-and-tested favourite cocktail throughout Mexico. It's unlikely to be the first Mexican cocktail that comes to mind – Margarita, anyone? – so it may come as a surprise that the Paloma is actually considered Mexico's national drink. And with the perfect combination of sweet and sour flavours, why wouldn't it be?

The origins of the Paloma are, like many cocktails, a little sketchy. Some claim it was created by Don Javier Delgado Corona, the late owner of the famed La Capilla bar in Tequila, Mexico, though Don Javier himself denied any role in its creation. Others believe it was invented in the mid-20th century when Squirt, a citrus-flavoured soft drink, was first imported into Mexico from the US. But whatever the history, there's one thing for certain – this bubbly, citrusy beauty deserves your attention at any time of year, though it's particularly refreshing under a blazing sun.

The Paloma beautifully incorporates a little bit of everything. You've got a sour kick from the lime, bubbles and a lick of sweetness from the grapefruit soda and classic tequila flavours that shine through. It's simple to make and perfect for any fiesta, so consider this permission to retire the Margarita – if only for a day – and try another of Mexico's favourites.

We have run with a massively simplified Paloma recipe here. It helps that there’s been a boom in grapefruit sodas – thanks to the rise of the Paloma – so there are loads of great options to choose from. Whether you use Fever Tree, Capi, Strangelove or maybe even manage to get your hands on the Jamaican Ting, you're in for a very good time.  

The Paloma is one of those great serves to pull out at a party – it hits the same as a Margarita, except it’s 10 times easier to make and a bit more sessionable. It’s the perfect welcome drink, but it's also amazing with food – as all Mexican cocktails tend to be. 

We know we bang on about this all the time, but with these simple few-ingredient cocktails, you should try to go with a quality Blanco tequila to really make it sing. Tequila made from 100% blue weber agave will always serve you right.

And even though we’re all about keeping this one as simple as possible, there’s always room for mixing things up. If you’d like to deviate a little, try making it with 7.5mL agave syrup, 10mL lime juice, 20mL fresh pink grapefruit juice, 45mL blanco tequila and 90 to 120mL low-sugar tonic water. It's just one of many twists you can put on the classic Paloma. 

And if you want a different flavour riff, try our Blood Orange Paloma. Otherwise, put that bottle of tequila to work in other tried-and-true recipes like the Tommy's Margarita, El Diablo, Tequila Sunrise or the super-simple Ranch Water.