Wash away the work day and quell your thirst with the bright and bubbly Palomita cocktail.
You’re reminded of that time you and your family went on vacation. And not just any vacation, but a few weeks in the Yucatán, lounging the days away at a sprawling resort in Cozumel. All manner of food seemed to fall from the sky, some of it sizzling and hot, and some of it savory and spicy… all of it fresh, of course. There were drinks too, to keep the hot sun at bay. Big cocktails, with giant miniature umbrellas poking out of them were never out of hand. When one was done, another fresh one somehow magically appeared.
You had the obligatory Margaritas, as well as some other tropical favorites. One day, you were all about filling up on Dirty Bananas, and then the next it was Tequila Mojitos until the sun sank into the west. With only a day or so left in paradise, you were thirsty for something else, something with a little bite. While spending some quality time in your poolside cabana, you began to consider the Paloma you had been sipping on, calling the waiter over to ask them if they had something else like it. With a knowing nod, they scurried off.
Moments later, you’re handed what’s called the Palomita, and the first sip shocked your taste buds with its smooth, sharp tartness and effervescence. There was no tequila present in this concoction, but instead a clear and crisp vodka. After a few more greedy sips, it was gone. You ordered more, hoping to get your fill before you had to go back to the rat race of everyday life.
You loved this “little dove” of a cocktail so much, you even ordered a few at the airport bar, and on the plane. Anything to keep that dreamlike vacation going.
What Is The Best Vodka To Use In A Palomita?
Because you’ll want a nice balance of tart and tangy notes from the lime juice and grapefruit soda, an unflavored vodka is the best way to go with this recipe. You can try a citron-infused or mandarin-infused spirit for some extra citrus taste, but going with a plain vodka allows the grapefruit and lime already present to mix in a balanced and harmonious way with the alcohol.
Ingredients
- Coarse salt for rimming
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- 3 to 4 ounces grapefruit soda chilled, to top
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the edge of a highball glass. Dip the rim into a plate of coarse salt.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka and lime juice. Shake well.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass filled with fresh ice. Top off with the grapefruit soda.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Rub the rim of a highball glass with a lime and dust it with some coarse salt, then fill it with ice and pour your Palomita in. Garnish with a lemon twist.
WHAT IS THE BEST GRAPEFRUIT SODA TO USE IN THIS COCKTAIL?
Squirt is a popular and easy-to-find brand of grapefruit soda. Here in Los Angeles, Jarritos is a delicious choice that works beautifully in cocktails like this one and the Paloma, and can also be found in other cities as well.
Other Paloma Variations Worth Trying
You can spend your whole summer drinking nothing but Palomas and still manage to have a decent variety of libations under your belt. The popular grapefruit-flavored treat has become an inspiration for bartenders and mixologists, with many a riff and offshoot being available all over the world. Check out some of these to pique your interest and then wet your whistle.
- Beer Paloma – Give your next cocktail some extra suds by adding a little lager to the mix.
- Spicy Paloma – Bring a little heat to each sip with this drink.
- Smoky Paloma – Tequila and mezcal join forces to make this sultry sipper.
- Paloma Sour – Get the best of both worlds in one glass with the Paloma Sour.
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