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 its perfect combination of sweet and sour flavours, why wouldn’t it be? 

Put that cocktail shaker down – to make a Paloma (that will rival the beloved Marg) in seconds, all you need is a highball glass, some ice, your bottle of 1800 Blanco, fresh lime juice and some grapefruit soda to top.

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. It’s especially good enjoyed under a blazing sun, but we love it any time of year, too. 

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 your sign 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.  

We know we bang on about this all the time, but with these simple cocktails with only a few ingredients, you should try to go with a quality Blanco tequila (like 1800, duh) 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 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.