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Mezcal Paloma

If you love a good margarita, you are going to love this simple, grapefruit cocktail. This mezcal paloma recipe is made with smoky mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water for a refreshing drink that you can enjoy all summer long.

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three mezcal palomas on a wooden serving tray

This recipe originally appeared on my other site Simply Whisked.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

Equipment:

Cocktail Jigger

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Citrus Reamer

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Cocktail Shaker

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Ingredients:

Grapefruit juice
Mezcal
Triple sec
Lime juice
Sparkling water

mezcal palomas garnished with fresh grapefruit slices and fresh thyme

How to make a mezcal paloma

Traditionally, palomas are made with grapefruit soda, but I’m not a huge fan of the added sugar, so I juiced some grapefruits we had on hand.

I got about 1 cup of grapefruit juice from 2 grapefruits, but it can vary so if you’re going to the store, buy a few extra. You can always use them for garnish.

Mixing the cocktail itself is so easy. Just shake the mezcal, triple sec and lim/grapefruit juice with ice until it’s super cold.

Strain the cocktail into two rimmed glasses and top with your favorite sparkling water. We used Topo Chico, but any bubbly water will work. You can even use soda, if you want.

Common questions about the paloma cocktail

What mixes good with mezcal?

Mezcal pairs really well with a variety of ingredients. It goes particularly well with citrus fruit, such as the grapefruit used in this drink.

Why is the drink called Paloma?

Paloma means dove in Spanish, and the drink is named after a popular Mexicna folk song called La Paloma.

What is in a Paloma?

Traditionally, a paloma is made with tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda, but this recipe is made with mezcal and grapefruit juice.

How many calories are in a Paloma?

This paloma recipe carries about 150 calories, which is a bit lower than a traditional paloma made with grapefruit soda.

hand taking a grapefruit cocktail from a wooden serving tray

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Mezcal Palomas

By: Melissa Belanger

Prep Time: 5

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Ingredients

3 ounces mezcal
1.5 ounces triple sec
1.5 ounces lime juice
6 ounces grapefruit juice, 1-2 grapefruits, juiced
Sparkling water or club soda
Ice
Grapefruit slices, for garnish

Instructions

Rim two cocktail glasses with salt (or sugar, if preferred) and fill with ice.
In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine mezcal, triple sec, lime juice, and grapefruit juice. Shake until very cold.
Strain into prepared glasses and top with sparkling water.
Garnish with a grapefruit slice before serving.

Last step!Share a picture on Instagram and tag me at @anothercocktailblog!