Mezcal Paloma
Mexico's most popular cocktail gets a smoky upgrade. Grapefruit soda and mezcal are a natural pairing — the bittersweet citrus and the earthy smoke create a refreshing, effervescent drink that tastes like a Oaxacan afternoon.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Mezcal
- 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice
- 0.3 oz Agave nectar
- 4 oz Grapefruit soda (Jarritos or Squirt)
- grapefruit wedge (garnish) garnish
- salt rim (half rim) (garnish) garnish
Pairs With
Pair with seafood ceviches, shrimp tostadas, or citrus-marinated fish dishes. The grapefruit and smoke combination mirrors bright, fresh seafood preparations and tropical flavors.
Instructions
Run a lime wedge around half the rim of a highball glass and dip into coarse salt
Fill the glass with ice
Pour mezcal, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar over the ice
Top with grapefruit soda
Stir gently once or twice to combine without losing carbonation
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge
Tips
Jarritos Toronja is the classic Mexican grapefruit soda choice, but Squirt or fresh grapefruit juice with club soda both work well For a more complex version, use 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice plus 2 oz club soda instead of grapefruit soda A pinch of salt stirred directly into the drink (instead of just the rim) enhances the grapefruit flavor and softens the smoke