A Step-By-Step Guide to Crafting the Perfect Virgin Paloma Ritual
The tequila-based Paloma is one of the most refreshing and pretty drinks. It’s the perfect drink to sip on a hot day or after a long night!
But if you’re not a big fan of drinking alcohol for any reason (or want to cut back), then a nonalcoholic Paloma is the way to go. These are super easy to make and taste just as delicious!
Rim the Glass
Rims are a classic bartending trick that can enhance drinks by providing texture and color. They also help balance flavors and make them more visually appealing.
Almost any drink can be rimmed, from a simple lemon drop to a salty dog. If done correctly, a rim can be an essential element of any cocktail.
A sugar rim can be added to a glass to balance the drink’s acidity and add a nice touch of sweetness. It works best on a citrus-based cocktail, like my Lemon Drop Vodka recipe.
If you’re a fan of salt, try a kosher salt or sea salt rim. These are thicker than table salt and will hold up better when meeting liquid.
Bartenders often use those three-tier plastic rimmers with sponges for wet rims and a separate tier for sugar and salt. While these are convenient, they are usually gross and need a better boundary.
Add the Lime Juice
A delightful and energizing cocktail from Mexico is the virgin paloma drink recipe. Interestingly, it has the Spanish word for “dove” yet is regarded as Mexico’s national beverage.
It’s a great way to enjoy grapefruit juice and lime’s sweet and sour flavors without adding extra calories and sugar to a regular margarita. It’s also a healthy option for anyone who needs to cut back on calories or wants to avoid alcohol altogether.
This easy virgin Paloma recipe is perfect for a day at the beach, a summer night out with your friends, or a refreshing drink to enjoy when you’re craving something delicious but a little healthier. It’s super easy to make, and the fresh flavors of grapefruit and lime will keep you cool and refreshed.
To make this a virgin Paloma, replace the Blanco Tequila with the Ritual tequila alternative (which is available in the UK and is an easy way to nix alcohol entirely from this drink). You can also use club soda instead of grapefruit soda to create a healthier version.
Add the Tequila
The Paloma is a classic Mexican cocktail famous in many places worldwide, and for a good reason. It’s a refreshing, easy-to-drink drink, perfect for a summer day or night.
Tequila is the main ingredient in a Paloma, so you want to ensure you’re using a high-quality tequila that works well with the grapefruit. There are a lot of choices out there, and finding the right one can feel like a minefield.
But fear not if you’re not a mixologist, as there are plenty of nonalcoholic tequila options for those abstaining from alcohol.
Add the Grapefruit Soda
If you’re looking for a drink that’s both sweet and salty, this mocktail is a perfect choice. It’s made with a simple, natural sweetener called agave that blends right into the mix.
The sweet and sour flavors of grapefruit soda come together in this Paloma, and it’s also elementary to make! A little tequila and lime juice are combined with grapefruit juice to create this refreshing drink.
A sprig of rosemary, along with fresh grapefruit slices or wedges, adds a touch of flavor cue and color contrast to the drink. For a more spicy option, try a few pieces of jalapeno.
A touch of salt on the rim is also a lovely addition to this drink, and you can use pink Himalayan rock salt or regular white kosher salt for the best results. This rim is a perfect way to bring out the peachy-pink color of this mocktail, so don’t skip it!
Add the Rosemary Simple Syrup or Agave Syrup
The traditional Paloma cocktail is a refreshing alcoholic drink made in Mexico. Its citrus, grapefruit soda, and tequila flavors are sure to please anyone. The tequila adds a smoky, earthy, spicy flavor that balances this drink’s sweet, tart, and bitter ingredients.
If you use tequila as your spirit in this recipe, creating a simple syrup that complements the tequila is a good idea. Agave nectar is a great natural sweetener that blends into drinks and doesn’t clump like sugar.
You can also muddle rosemary with simple syrup or agave for extra herbaceous notes. Rosemary has a unique flavor that can enhance the sweetness and balance out the bitterness in this cocktail.
You can make a Rosemary Simple Syrup by mixing water, sugar, and rosemary in a small saucepan and simmering until the sugar dissolves. You can store this simple syrup in a glass jar or airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Then stir some of it into this drink before serving!
