When you think of Mexican cocktails, you likely envision classic lime margaritas. However, La Paloma, which is Spanish for dove, might even be more popular than the margarita in Mexico. Made with tequila, grapefruit soda and lime juice, the Paloma boasts a sweet and zesty flavor with a smooth finish.
This Paloma cocktail recipe is easy to master and fabulous at any time of the year, but especially good on Cinco de Mayo.
How to Make a Paloma Cocktail
Palomas pair well with traditional Mexican dishes like spicy pork and green chili verde and appetizers like tortilla chips and guacamole. Make a batch at your next party for guests to sip on!
What You’ll Need
- Coarse sea salt
- 1-1/2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 cup grapefruit soda (Some of our favorites are IZZE, Fresca, Jarritos and San Pellegrino.)
- Lime wedge
Step 1: Rim the Glass
Gently moisten the rim of a highball glass with water or fresh lime juice. Pour a bit of the sea salt onto a flat, clean surface (such as a plate or cutting board). Dip the glass into the salt lip-side-down to evenly coat the rim in salt.
Step 2: Shake and Pour
Add a few ice cubes to the glass. In a cocktail shaker, combine a dash of salt, the tequila and lime juice. Pour the drink into the glass, then slowly top with the grapefruit soda.
Step 3: Top It Off
Garnish with a lime wedge and a light sprinkling of more salt, if desired.
Of course, knowing how to make a Paloma doesn’t stop us from wanting to make a margarita, too. Here’s our simple recipe for margaritas on the rocks or blended.
Next, Master These Easy Mixed Drinks
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Bloody Mary
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Pineapple Rum Punch
If you want a taste of the tropics, this is the drink for you. Directions: In a pitcher, combine 3-1/2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, 1-1/2 cups orange juice, 1 cup coconut water, 1 cup orange-peach-mango juice, 1 cup coconut rum, 1 cup dark rum, 1/4 cup key lime juice (regular limes are OK, too) and 3 tablespoons of grenadine. Just stir and serve over ice! Yield: 12 servings—this one's for a party!
Brandy Old-Fashioned Sweet
The concept of an old-fashioned dates back to the early 1800s. This version is extremely popular in Wisconsin. Directions: In a rocks glass, muddle 1 orange slice, 1 maraschino cherry, 1-1/2 oz. maraschino cherry juice and 1 teaspoon bitters. Add 1/4 cup ice. Pour in 1-1/2 oz. brandy, 2 teaspoons water, 1 teaspoon orange juice and 3 oz. lemon-lime soda. Yield: 1 serving.
Americano Cocktail Recipe
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Martini
Martinis can be made with either vodka or gin. Our taste panel's preference was for the gin, but try them both and decide for yourself. Be warned, this is a strong and serious drink. Directions: Fill a shaker three-fourths full with ice. Add 3 oz. gin or vodka and 1/2 oz. dry vermouth; cover and shake until condensation forms on outside of shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with olives. Yield: 1 serving
Mudslide
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Mai Tai
This party favorite has been around for quite some time. It's not overly fruity and features a good blend of sweet and sour. Directions: Fill a shaker three-fourths full with ice. Place additional ice in a rocks glass; set aside. Add 2 oz. light rum, 3/4 oz. triple sec, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice and 1-1/2 teaspoons amaretto to shaker; cover and shake for 10-15 seconds or until condensation forms on outside of shaker. Strain into prepared glass. Garnish as desired. Yield: 1 serving.
Gin and Tonic
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Whiskey Sour
Don't let the name fool you. Even though cocktail does contain lip-puckering lemon, the simple syrup and bourbon add extra sweetness. Directions: In a shaker, combine 1-1/2 oz. bourbon, 3/4 oz. simple syrup mixture (using 1 part water, 1 part sugar), 3/4 oz. lemon juice and ice. Shake well, and pour into glass. Garnish with cherry.
Fresh Lime Margaritas
This basic margarita recipe is easy to modify to your tastes. Directions: In a pitcher, combine 1/2 cup tequila, 1/2 cup Triple Sec, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons superfine sugar; stir until sugar is dissolved. Moisten rims of four margarita or cocktail glasses with lime wedges. Sprinkle salt on a plate; dip rims in salt. Serve in prepared glasses over crushed ice. Yield: 4 servings.
Mint Julep
It wouldn't be Kentucky Derby Day without mint juleps! But, really, this cocktail is good anytime. Directions: Make mint simple syrup. Cover and refrigerate syrup for at least 2 hours or until chilled. For each serving, place ice in a metal julep cup or rocks glass. Pour 1/4 cup mint syrup and 1 oz. bourbon into the glass; stir until mixture is well chilled. Garnish with mint sprig. Yield: 10 servings.
Zombie Recipe
This tropical drink will be a sure crowd pleaser at any beach themed parties or tiki bars. Directions: Combine 1-1/2 oz. golden rum, 1/2 oz. white rum, 1 oz. dark rum, 1 teaspoon papaya juice, 1 teaspoon pineapple juice, 1 teaspoon superfine sugar and 1 oz. lime juice over ice in a glass. Stir well. Pour 1/2 oz. 151-proof rum into mixture, stirring it in. Yield: 1 serving.
Pina Coladas
A velvety-smooth texture and taste of the tropics are what this pina colada delivers. Directions: In a 2-qt. pitcher, combine 2-1/4 cups pineapple juice, 1 can cream of coconut and 1-1/2 cups rum. Chill. For each serving, place a generous cup of rum mixture and 1 cup ice in a blender. Cover and process until smooth. Pour into a chilled hurricane glass. Garnish each with a pineapple wedge. Yield: 6 servings.
Champagne Cocktail
This amber drink is a champagne twist on the traditional old-fashioned. Directions: Place 1 sugar cube in a champagne flute or cocktail glass; sprinkle with 6 dashes of bitters. Add 1/2 oz. brandy; top with 1/2 cup chilled champagne. If desired, top with rosemary and cranberries. Yield: 1 serving.
Sazerac
Hailing from the busy streets of New Orleans, the Sazerac cocktail is ideal for whiskey lovers. Directions: Rinse out a glass using absinthe. In a separate glass, stir 1 sugar cube, 2 dashes Angostura bitters and 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters. Pour in 2 oz. rye whiskey, then fill the glass with ice. Stir the mixture, then strain into the rinsed out, prepared glass. Place the lemon peel over the top of the drink, and discard once oils have been extracted. Yield: 1 serving.
Creamy Irish Coffee
My maternal grandma was never a drinker, beyond a glass of champagne at Christmas, but she couldn't resist Bailey's Irish Coffee. —Rebecca Little, Park Ridge, Illinois Directions: Divide 2 cups hot strong brewed coffee and 4 oz. Irish cream liqueur among four mugs; stir. If desired, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.Yield: 4 servings.
Mimosa
A standard offering at brunches, Mimosas are as pretty as they are tasty. Directions: Pour 2 oz. champagne into a champagne flute or wine glass. Pour 1/2 oz. Triple Sec and 2 oz. orange juice into the glass. Garnish as desired. Yield: 1 serving.
Vesper
One thing is for sure: The Vesper is not for the faint of heart. The simple cocktail is created using three types of liquor, making the drink a very potent one. Directions: Stir 1 oz. vodka, 3 oz. gin and 1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc in a glass filled with ice. Strain, then pour into a chilled glass. Rub lemon peel along the rim of the glass, and drop it in. Yield: 1 serving.
Boulevardier
The boulevardier cocktail is a great option for serving at a formal dinner party or more elegant event. Directions: Stir 1 oz. sweet vermouth, 1 oz. Campari and 1-1/2 oz. bourbon whiskey in a glass filled with ice. Strain, then pour into a chilled glass. Yield: 1 serving.
Negroni
Bitter and sweet flavors coexist peacefully in the negroni cocktail. Directions: Pour 1-1/2 oz. sweet vermouth, 1-1/2oz. Campari and 1-1/2 oz. gin in a glass filled with ice. Stir well. Yield: 1 serving. [skyword_tracking]Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Ceara Milligan