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Get ready to enjoy a glass of this delicious Mezcal Paloma, a simple and refreshing drink full of smokey citrus flavors!
What is a Paloma?
Paloma -which in Spanish means "dove"- is a refreshing cocktail traditionally made of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. It's tart, sweet, and salty -all at once!
I love using mezcal and switch up my classic Paloma cocktail, which is made with regular tequila. The result is a smoky version of that classic citrusy cocktail we all love.
While mezcal can be a bit much for some people because of that smoky aftertaste, using it in a cocktail is the perfect way to get used to the flavor, and it gets a bit diluted when you add a bit of sparkling water, making it very light and tolerable.
So, is a Paloma made of Tequila or Mezcal?
Paloma is just the name of the drink. But when it comes to the liquors, both come from the agave plant. Tequila technically can only be made from the blue Weber variety, while Mezcal can be made from lots of agave plant varieties. However, the most noticeable difference is the smoky aftertaste of mezcal, which isn't present when using tequila.
That said, the classic Paloma recipe is made with what is commonly called tequila, and this Mezcal Paloma, is made with this smoky liquor.
What is the Difference Between a Margarita and a Paloma
While both cocktails have tequila, lime juice, and a salty rim, the main differences are the liquor, the fruit, and the texture of the cocktail.
A Classic Margarita includes Triple Sec or Cointreau (orange liquor) and the only alcohol in a Paloma cocktail is tequila -in this case, Mezcal.
Another difference is that Palomas includes grapefruit in its citrus profile, while margaritas only include lime. Finally, Palomas have sparkling water, which gives it a bubbly texture, while the Margarita is flat.
Mezcal Paloma Ingredients
This refreshing drink is a powerful combination of flavors that pair great together! Make sure to grab the measurements in the printable recipe below but here is what you'll need to have on hand:
- Mezcal: pick your favorite brand; if you don't have one, I recommend some great options down below.
- Fresh grapefruit juice: store-bought works too, but fresh juice is much better!
- Lime juice: about 1 wedge squeezed for more citrus flavors.
- Simple syrup or agave: to sweeten the Paloma. You can easily make your own homemade syrup for cocktails with this recipe.
- Sparkling water: adds volume and makes it bubbly!
- Grapefruit wedge: optional for garnish.
- Sea salt: for the rim.
Do you use a cocktail shaker to make a Paloma?
While most cocktails are shaken in a cocktail shaker, a Paloma is stirred directly in the glass since it includes sparkling water -which I promise you do not want to shake up! All you need is a long cocktail spoon.
How to Make a Mezcal Paloma
Making Mezcal Paloma is as simple as mixing and sipping. Grab a glass and get ready to enjoy!
1. Prep the glass
This simply means that if you like a salted rim, it's best to rim it before you make the cocktail.
2. Make the cocktail
Fill the glass with ice and add the cocktail ingredients. Use a spoon to stir and mix them around.
3. Garnish & enjoy!
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge, and serve.
Best Mezcal for this Paloma Recipe
Mezcal Artesanal, artisan-made or extracted by hand, is a nice choice to sip and make cocktails. If you don't have a favorite brand, below are 3 great options to try in different price ranges:
How to Serve a Paloma
It's time to drink a Paloma and chill while sipping! Did anyone ask for freshness? Ice cubes are a perfect match for this cocktail!
For more fruity summer vibes, add a grapefruit wedge or twisted peel. Should you add salt to the rim? That is up to you, but it's a great way to enjoy Mezcal Paloma! You can also take it up to the next level and make a Frozen Paloma.
More Drinks Using Mezcal
While I don't like sipping on mezcal, I love mixing it with many traditional tequila cocktails that include juice and citrus flavors; which I find give any mezcal drink a good balance between sweetness and smokiness.
Some of my favorites include a Mezcal Sunrise and Mezcal Grapefruit Cocktail both of which are delish! Another favorite is a Mezcal Bloody Maria which is a great cocktail for your next Sunday brunch.
Mezcal Paloma
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce lime juice, about 1 wedge squeezed
- ¼ ounce simple syrup or agave, or more for sweeter
- 2 ounces sparkling water, or more to top it off
- Grapefruit wedge, for garnish (optional)
- Sea salt, for the rim
Instructions
- Prep your glass by running one lime wedge along the rim of a highball glass. Once coated, press into a margarita salt plate and set aside.
- Fill the glass with ice, and add mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Add the sparkling water, and with a spoon, mix to combine.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge, and serve.
Blair says
This mezcal paloma was so refreshing!
Sammy says
This paloma cocktail was the perfect recipe for me to learn to enjoy mezcal. thanks!
Jackson says
I have a mezcal that is super smoky and didn't know how else to use it and this drink masked it and made it taste good! I'm forever a new fan of this mezcal paloma. thanks!
Jeanette says
Obsessed! Simple and oh.so.good. I'll be making this mezcal paloma on repeat.