Summer of Paloma

Tequila
Author: The Bar Team
Two Paloma cocktails in highball glasses on a kitchen counter

A fiesta for your senses


It’s no secret that the Margarita is the cocktail of Mexico, but there’s a new cocktail that’s (quite literally) on everyone’s lips this summer: The Paloma.

A refreshing mix of smooth tequila, bitter grapefruit, zesty lime and a touch of sweetness, there are a few varieties of the drink, and the taste will vary depending on the recipe you use. Luckily, we’ve got a range of Paloma recipes at The Bar, so you can mix it up depending on your tequila preference.

The history of the Paloma

The name ‘Paloma’ means dove in Spanish and it’s a fitting name for the much-loved, pink cocktail. While its exact origins aren’t known, it’s believed to have originated in Mexico in the 1950s and is often credited to Don Javier Delgado Corona. Best known for creating another popular Mexican cocktail, the La Batanga – containing tequila, lime and cola – Corona was a talented bartender who tended and owned bars until his nineties.

Simple and refreshing, the Paloma is the ultimate summer serve that can be enjoyed at both casual get-togethers and formal cocktail parties. There’s a reason why its popularity continues to grow and grow.

A bartender shakes a margarita in a silver cocktail shaker in a bright kitchen.

Get inspired by our Paloma recipes

The beauty of the Paloma is its simplicity, but there are lots of different variations, using different bases and varying levels of sweetness and effervescence.

Find out the best serve with Casamigos or Don Julio, below. And if you're not a traditionalist (or tequila lover) you can even swap it for gin.

Top-shelf tequilas for the perfect Paloma

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About the Author

The Bar Team


The Bar Team is a group of behind-the-scenes writers, bartenders and drinks lovers who share tips, trends and easy how-tos. We mix real bar experience with a love of great drinks to help you try new ideas, learn and get inspired.

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