Trivia time! What’s the most popular cocktail in Mexico?
Nope. Wrong. Sorry. It’s definitely not the margarita. Not what you were expecting me to say, was it?
The most popular cocktail in Mexico is the Paloma cocktail, a refreshing drink made with tequila and tart grapefruit. There’s also a salted rim and a splash of soda that provides a little fizz. The pinkish orange color may look frilly, but this is a sweet and sour cocktail that will have you asking for seconds.
The Paloma cocktail is first cousin to the American Salty Dog, which is grapefruit juice and gin or vodka. If you skip the salted rim, that version is known simply as simply a Greyhound. Some recipes for the Paloma call for grapefruit soda, which can be hard to find in the States. I like it best with the grapefruit juice, though. It’s fresh-tasting and therefore refreshing.
Be sure to brush up on your tequila knowledge so you’re ready for the awesome recipes I have planned for you this month! Happy Friday, friends. // susannah
Click below for the Paloma cocktail recipe!
Paloma Cocktail
A refreshing and sweet-tart Mexican cocktail
Ingredients
- kosher salt
- 2 ounces tequila, reposado or blanco
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar, if desired
- ice cubes
- 6 ounces grapefruit juice
- splash club soda
- grapefruit wedge, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour kosher salt onto a plate. Use a grapefruit wedge to rub the outer rim of a highball glass and dip the rim in the salt, careful not to get any on the inside of the glass.
- Pour in tequila, lime juice, juice and the sugar (if desired) and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Fill glass with ice, then top with tequila and a splash of club soda. Stir gently. Serve with a grapefruit wedge, if desired.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 272Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 585mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g
katie says
I love a good Paloma cocktail! I might need to whip one up this weekend!
Susannah says
Yes, ma’am! You do! So delicious. Thanks so much for your comment, Katie! 🙂
Meghan @ Cake 'n' Knife says
This looks amazing! Ben and I are thinking about going to Mexico this summer so I am totally whipping up a couple of these as soon as we book our trip! 🙂
Susannah says
Ahh! That sounds like an awesome trip. I’m so jealous. You will definitely need to make some Palomas in celebration! They are seriously so good.
Jennifer Stewart says
Adding this to my drink queue this weekend! Love me some grapefruit! I might try it with San Pelligrino’s grapefruit soda! I use the lemon and orange ones all the time with my cocktails! Thanks for the recipe!
Susannah says
Oh, I bet that would be awesome! I haven’t been able to find grapefruit soda, but it helps to know that San Pelligrino’s makes it. I’ll look in that section next time. Thanks for the tip, Jennifer! I appreciate you stopping by the blog to read + comment.
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
Fantastic! Good to know about paloma cocktail. And that sounds way better than regular tequila.
Susannah says
Yeah! It’s fun. You can always have less tequila, or you could make the cocktail into a Greyhound or Salty Dog with vodka or gin. Thanks so much for your comment, Linda!
Madison | Wetherills Say I Do says
Um. HELLO. This looks amazing! I’ll be trying this ASAP. Thanks!
Susannah says
Yay, Madison! I think you will love it. It would go perfectly with that Mexican meal you made for your blog recently!
Anne @ Unique Gifter says
I have ever so subtly left a page with details on the Greyhound and the Salty Dog open in my spouse’s browser. Those sound right up my alley 🙂
Susannah says
Hahaha! Anne, that made me laugh. I hope you get to try some of those grapefruit cocktails! They are each classics and so much fun. You will love them. Thanks for stopping by!
Mark Charette says
I live in Cancun and Guadalajara and indeed the Paloma is the national drink of Mexico! I like our best with grapefruit juice and a splash of Penefil club soda but my neighbors also use grapefruit soda or even Squirt!
Susannah says
Hi Mark! Thanks so much for stopping by to comment and for sharing how you make your Palomas! Sounds delicious!