This simple and refreshing grapefruit highball is beloved for a reason. The Margarita may be one of the most popular cocktails in the world, but if we're comparing iconic tequila cocktails, the Paloma may be the one to beat. It's also the national drink of Mexico, giving it some authentic cred.
The Paloma is delicious, refreshing, and much simpler to make than the Margarita. With so few ingredientsโtequila, lime juice, and grapefruit sodaโPalomas are hard to mess up. Margaritas can be transcendent when made properly but, when ordering one in the wild, you have a greater risk of getting a pint-sized glass filled with day-glow sour mix and an imbalanced drink. When you're looking for a refreshing cocktail that will hit all the right notes in less than two shakes, the Paloma's three-ingredient highball built directly in the glass is a sure thing.
Palomas are effortless but also offer a surprisingly complex flavor profile. The simple 3-ingredient formula also contains more variables for differentiation than one might think. Blanco tequila is the traditional choice, but lightly aged reposado also makes a fine drink. In Mexico, Jarritos is commonly the grapefruit soda of choice for its easy accessibility, high carbonation, and sugar cane-sweetened grapefruit flavor.
This brand is relatively easy to find stateside, particularly in grocery stores that stock Mexican foods and ingredients. The slightly tarter Squirt is another common pick in Mexico and is a bartender favorite. Some people may choose to rim the glass with salt, while others add a pinch of salt straight into the drink. Garnish: lime wheel. Add the tequila, lime juice, and pinch of salt to the glass, and fill with ice.
Top with grapefruit soda, and stir briefly and gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel. As bartenders continue to embrace fresh juice in their cocktails, it has become increasingly common to use fresh grapefruit juice in place of grapefruit soda. If you want to go that route, you can complement the juice with unflavored sparkling water to achieve the necessary bubbly effect. Fair warning, this combination yields a much drier cocktail, as grapefruit soda can be quite sweet.
