Mezcal Paloma Cocktail Recipe

It’s sweet. It’s smoky. It’s the kind of drink you want on a hot summer day. Or in your cold Brooklyn apartment pretending like you’re drinking it on a hot summer day. Whatever floats your fancy. However you decide to enjoy it, this mezcal paloma cocktail is one you’ll want to make over and over again.

So what’s a paloma? It’s a cocktail very similar to a margarita, but it’s made with fresh grapefruit juice. Typically mixed with tequila, but in this case, we’re using mezcal in the paloma. It gives this cocktail a refined taste that I rally enjoy. But honestly, if you don’t have mezcal, you can always use tequila. Because who actually has mezcal lying around on a regular basis? Not me usually. This mezcal was sent to me as a gift—I used Doña Vega Mezcal, which was a pretty smokey mezcal to begin with.

Also, I added a salt rim to this cocktail. Which…I realized after you don’t really need it. The mezcal is smoother than tequila, which is why salt and lime are nice to have with a tequila that bites. But without the bite, you don’t need the salt in my opinion. Some recipe developers even say the rim the glass with sugar. Personally don’t know how I feel about that one.

Lastly, some people like to pour their mezcal paloma cocktail in a high ball glass over ice, with a metal straw. But…it seems I don’t have those yet! So I poured mine in a traditional cocktail tumbler—our go-to cocktail glass that kind of just goes with everything.

Currently, I’m on a mission to make many more cocktails, but for now, here are a few I’ve already published:

• Honey Lemon Gimlet
• Classic Margarita
• Orange Whiskey Sour
• Peach Bourbon Smash
• Old Glory
• Mojitos
• Amaretto Sour

And now, a mezcal paloma cocktail! What other cocktails should I try to make for the blog? Share below!

Print Recipe

Mezcal Paloma Cocktail

If you have a grapefruit you need to use, shake up this refreshing mezcal paloma cocktail! Don't have mezcal? Use tequila!

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: cocktail, happy hour

Servings: 1 cocktail

Calories: 259kcal

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker & strainer

Ingredients

• 2 oz. mezcal or blanc tequila
• 3/4 oz. triple sec
• 3 oz. grapefruit juice freshly squeezed
• 1 oz. lime juice freshly squeezed
• Club soda
• Ice
• Grapefruit wedges

Instructions

• Add ice to the cocktail shaker.
• Pour in the mezcal, triple sec, grapefruit juice, and lime juice.
• Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
• Add ice to a highball or tumbler cocktail glass. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
• Add a splash of club soda on top. Slice a tiny slit into your grapefruit wedge and perch on the glass for a garnish.

Notes

If you desire a salt rim, simply rub the outside of the glass using a wedge of grapefruit. Dip the glass into a shallow bowl or plate with salt on it to rim the glass.

Calories may vary based on the type of mezcal, tequila, or triple sec you are using.

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