Casa Paloma

Name: Casa Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: Casamigos Blanco Tequila; Fresh Grapefruit Juice; Fresh Lime Juice; Agave; Orange Bitters; Sea Salt; Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Water; Half-Moon Grapefruit Slice Garnish

Tequila

Prep time: 10 mins

Author: The Bar Team

A tall glass of grapefruit cocktail garnished with a dried grapefruit slice sits on a pink salt block, next to a bottle of Casamigos tequila and cocktail utensils.

A paloma with top-shelf tequila

The name “paloma” comes from the word for “dove” in Spanish, and this cocktail lives up to its name as this classic tequila drink has a bright, bubbly taste. This classic Mexican cocktail is perfect when craving a tangy, light, effervescent drink. Read on to learn how to create our Casa Paloma recipe featuring Casamigos Blanco tequila and an extra-fresh spin on the classic paloma.

What you’ll need:

Ingredients:

Serves:

Casamigos Blanco Tequila
1.5oz
Fresh Grapefruit Juice
1oz
Fresh Lime Juice
0.75oz
Agave
0.5oz
Orange Bitters
2 dashes
Sea Salt
1 pinch
Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Water
(or Comparable), to Top Off
Half-Moon Grapefruit Slice Garnish

Method

Step 1
Combine ingredients, except the grapefruit sparkling water, in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Step 2
Shake vigorously and strain into a highball or Collins glass with fresh ice.
Step 3
Top off with grapefruit sparkling water and garnish with a half-moon grapefruit slice.

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This refreshing-tasting tequila cocktail is a must for your personal menu.

In this recipe

Engravable

Casamigos

Casamigos Blanco Tequila

70cl

A black cocktail shaker set with a jigger, cocktail shaker, bar spoon, and strainer displayed against a plain background.

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Gunmetal Mixologist Barware Set

A tall, clear glass tumbler with vertical ribbed lines stands against a plain black background.

Nude

Big Top High Ball Glass, Set of 4

Seven colorful reusable glass straws, each with a bent neck, are arranged side by side against a plain black background.

Our Dining Table

Reusable Colored Glass Straws, Set of 8

What does a paloma taste like?

The paloma’s Spanish name, “la paloma”, is similar sounding to the Spanish word for grapefruit, “pomelo”, which is the essential flavor of this cocktail.

Tart & citrus-y

Paired with the tart lime juice and the hint of orange bitters, this drink has a simple but balanced citrus taste that is suited for most tequila cocktail lovers.

Use top-shelf tequila

Blanco tequila is fresh-tasting with herbal notes and a clear agave flavor. We recommend Casamigos Blanco tequila as the inspiration for this cocktail. A quality tequila is the backbone of this drink.

Bubbly & light

The slightly sweet kick of the grapefruit sparkling water keeps it bubbly and upbeat.

Two plastic cups with pink drinks, ice cubes, grapefruit slices, mint sprigs, and bamboo straws on a tiled surface; a bowl of limes is in the background.

History of the paloma

Cousin to the margarita, the paloma is a favorite tequila cocktail for beating the summer heat. Though the margarita may reign supreme State-side, the paloma is the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico.

Unfortunately, little is known of the origin of the paloma or who invented the drink. Some sources state that the paloma cocktail was first introduced to its U.S. audience in the 1950s.

The Rio Grande area is a part of Texas where grapefruit grows in abundance. In 1929, a citrus grower found his pink grapefruits displaying a shade of red blush. This led to the discovery of the Ruby Red Grapefruit, the first to have a citrus patent granted in the U.S. The discovery of the Ruby Red Grapefruit led to a growth in interest for grapefruit-based cocktails in Texas, setting the stage for the paloma to overtake the popularity of the margarita in the area. Today, the paloma cocktail has grown to be a classic tequila-based staple across many regions of the U.S. and south of its borders.

Variations on the Casa Paloma recipe

Keep it classic

Want to stay true to the classic version of the paloma? Traditionally, this citrusy refreshment is made with just two ingredients, blanco tequila and a splash of grapefruit flavored soda. The best part of the paloma is how simple and easy it is to create!

For a smoky alternative

For a smoky variation, swap out Casamigos Blanco or Casamigos Reposado for Casamigos Mezcal Joven. Mezcal is a delightful agave-based spirit, of which tequila is a type. Casamigos Mezcal Joven has a smoky flavor that will add a whole new element to your paloma.