Jalapeño Paloma

The weather is warming and Cinco de Mayo is coming, and that means it’s time for one of my all-time favorite drinks of summer, and also one of the best kept secrets in the cocktail world – the Jalapeño Paloma. There’s nothing quite as refreshing as enjoying some tableside guacamole and chips with an icy Paloma at an outdoor table at my favorite restaurant. It’s one of the best things to do in the summer.

Margarita vs. Paloma

The Paloma takes a back seat to the Margarita on most Mexican menus, but it’s the Paloma that is actually the national cocktail of Mexico. Like a Margarita, it is a tequila-based cocktail with lime juice, but instead of Triple Sec (an orange-flavored liquor) it traditionally has grapefruit-flavored soda. So it’s basically a less sweet, more bubbly Margarita. And for those reasons, the Paloma is the winner in my book.

What’s in this Jalapeño Paloma

My love for the Paloma is probably due to the grapefruit juice in this cocktail. I am a big fan of grapefruit juice, and I drink it at least once a week. I take both my Mimosas and my Screwdrivers with grapefruit juice instead of orange juice. Does this make me an OJ hater? Not at all. I just prefer more tartness than sweetness in drinks, and because it’s less sweet, somehow I’ve tricked my brain into thinking it’s healthier.

And while there may not be any science behind this claim, one thing is for sure – you certainly won’t feel bad when drinking one of these Jalapeño Palomas! I love the addition of jalapeño to the traditional cocktail recipe. There is just enough to pack a little heat without overpowering the tart juice and puckery lime, and it all just harmonizes perfectly together.

Bonus – jalapeños have a thermogenic (i.e. fat-burning) effect – health drink, anyone? Another departure from the traditional recipe is we’re using fresh grapefruit juice instead of grapefruit soda. So, less sugar. See? I told you it was healthy!

Fresher is Better

One note about this Jalapeño Paloma – the fresher the better. Meaning, grab a bunch of grapefruits and limes at the market and go to town. Squeeze as much juice as you can out of them, and use the rest for garnish. If you are in a pinch and need to buy grapefruit juice, I really love Simply Beverages products – they taste as close as you can get to freshly-squeezed.

So, park yourself somewhere outside, grab some guac and chips and enjoy a Jalapeño Paloma in the sunshine. It’s the only way to fly. Enjoy!

Jalapeño Paloma

Tequila-based cocktail with fresh grapefruit and lime juices and an added kick of heat from jalapeño peppers

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 0 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 1

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 shot (1.5 oz) tequila
• 1 shot (1.5 oz) grapefruit juice freshly squeezed or Simply Grapefruit
• 1 shot (1.5 oz) club soda
• 1 tsp. honey
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 2 slices jalapeño pepper

Instructions

 

• Muddle everything except for the club soda in a shaker. Fill a glass with ice. Shake the cocktail well, then pour over ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with additional slices of citrus and jalapeño.

Keyword cocktail, drinks, easy

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