World Paloma Day: 3 Paloma Variations That Go Beyond A Simple Twist

From the 1950s to the 2020s, the Paloma cocktail has continuously appeared on bar menus and lists of popular beverages. Paloma, which is Spanish for dove, is a tequila-based drink that combines the tartness of grapefruit with the crisp notes of tequila (commonly Blanco). The traditional Paloma cocktail is bittersweet, zesty, and carbonated, with just a hint of salinity. 

The last few decades have seen many classic cocktails undergo varying degrees of transformation, and the Paloma is no different. From spicy versions that use muddled jalapeño to smoky styles that swap the Blanco for a Reposado or Mezcal, the Paloma cocktail has proved to be an adaptable canvas. On this World Paloma Day, here are three variations that you can try! 

Brand references in the recipes are indicative and can be adapted based on preference. 

A twist on a classic paloma, this cocktail swaps the grapefruit soda from the original recipe with grapefruit juice. To retain the original structure (one with fizz), carbonation is introduced via equipment rather than as an ingredient. The vanilla liqueur and bitters provide balance, aroma, and slight density to the drink. 

This is a batched recipe for multiple serves (8), with 25 ml of tequila per individual serve. 

• 25ml Don Julio Blanco (for 1 serve)

• 600ml Grapefruit juice

• 25ml Vanilla liqueur

• 12 Dashes vanilla bitters

• Grapefruit Peel (Garnish)

• 8 Champagne Flutes

• 1 Jigger

• 1 Siphon

• 1 Carbon Dioxide Cartridge

• Tongs

• Add all the liquid ingredients into a siphon.

• Charge the siphon with carbon dioxide to add the fizz.

• Dispense into the chilled champagne flutes.

• Garnish with grapefruit peel.

While the original paloma uses only grapefruit, this version introduces watermelon to the mix, lending a lighter, more fruit-forward profile to the cocktail. When paired with the Reposado, the smoky notes get balanced by the tartness of grapefruit and the sweetness of watermelon. 

• 45ml Don Julio Reposado Tequila

• 30ml Watermelon juice

• 20ml Fresh lime juice

• 10ml Agave syrup

• 30ml Pink grapefruit soda

• 1 Highball glass

• Build ingredients into a highball.

• Fill the glass with ice and stir gently.

• Garnish with a grapefruit slice.

Fresh, fragrant cilantro figures prominently in Mexican cuisine and differentiates this version of Paloma from the original cocktail. The cilantro leaves pair beautifully with fresh grapefruit juice, giving the cocktail an aromatic depth.

• 50ml Don Julio Reposado

• 30ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice

• 15ml Lime Juice

• 15ml Agave Syrup

• 90ml Club Soda

• 1 Corriander Sprig (Garnish)

• 1 Salted Grapefruit (Garnish)

• 1 Ice Scoop

• 1 Jigger

• 1 Collins Glass

• 1 Cocktail Shaker

• 1 Hawthrone Strainer

• Tongs

• Shake all the ingredients except the soda with Ice.

• Strain into a Collins glass filled with cubed Ice.

• Top with club soda.

• Garnish with a coriander sprig and a salted grapefruit.

*Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.