Have a spicy, sour and bubbly treat without the booze when you sip on the Jalapeño Paloma Mocktail.
Last weekend, as I’ve been back East to visit family, my brother and I headed into the lovely and quaint hamlet of Newtown, PA. The reason? A gathering of James Bond fans, ourselves included, all banded together for David Zaritsky’s awesome and unforgettable Thunderball weekend. The host of the world’s biggest YouTube 007 fan channel, The Bond Experience, David had a food tasting, a book signing for fellow Bond “top cop” Joe Darlington, and it all culminated in a 4K screening of the 1965 Bahamian Bond adventure. Much mirth was had, as well as cocktails.
In fact, I ended up putting one drink too many away that Friday night, and for the rest of that weekend’s festivities, I was drinking club soda. I’ve enjoyed a tipple or two since then, but less than I had originally intended. So this weekend, instead of making up for lost imbibing time, I figured I’d mix up a mocktail or two.
Today’s virgin mixture is a spicy one, in the best and most refreshing sense of the word. The Jalapeño Paloma Mocktail keeps the sour brightness of the fizzy grapefruit flavor mixed with lime juice, while adding some fun and surprising zip by muddling a few hot jalapeño peppers at the start. You might sweat—but only a little—as you cool down with this crisp and effervescent elixir.
What is the best way to prep the Jalapeño Paloma Mocktail?
All you need to do is follow our simple instructions below, and before you know it, you’ll be sipping on a crisp, refreshing—and spicy—virgin beverage. Don’t let the idea of muddling ingredients as part of your drink’s preparation make it seem like this is a recipe that requires a lot of work. I’ve recently gotten more into preparing and serving muddled beverages for my friends and family; it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of making any mixture.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 slices jalapeño
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- 4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces club soda
- Slice of grapefruit and a slice of jalapeño for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, muddle the jalapeño slices with the agave syrup to release the spicy oils.
- Add a pinch of sea salt, then fill with ice. Pour in the grapefruit and lime juices.
- Fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Stir to mix.
- Garnish your mocktail with a slice of grapefruit and a slice of jalapeño on the rim.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Prep and serve your drink in a highball glass, filled with ice and garnished with a grapefruit slice as well as a few jalapeño slices on top. For an extra kick, salt the rim of the glass with chili powder.
Can you use grapefruit soda?
Yes, just add it in place of the grapefruit juice and club soda. In fact, whenever I order myself any kind of Paloma whenever I’m out on the town, it is usually mixed with a grapefruit soda, like Squirt or Jarritos. The latter is my personal preference, as it is made with real sugar and natural flavors.
Other mocktails worth trying
So you’ve sworn off the liquor… At least for tonight. Or maybe the weekend, or the month. Or forever. It doesn’t matter what your reasons are; you’re just not in the mood to imbibe any alcoholic beverages at the moment. But, you’re still in the mood for shaking or stirring something refreshing for yourself. Check out some of these spiritless concoctions for a few tasty ideas.
- Virgin Margarita – Leave the tequila out of this tart and sweet summer treat.
- Virgin Piña Colada – Beat the heat of a hot afternoon with this tropical and creamy sipper.
- Disneyland Mint Julep – Bring some magical vibes to your next pool party with this happy and family-friendly recipe.
- Arnold Palmer – A tasty and booze-free blend of lemonade and iced tea.
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