Cut back on the calories, but not the flavor, with a cool and refreshing Skinny Paloma.
The history of the Paloma is just as “light” as the version of the cocktail we’ll be making today. I scoured the internet and some of my cocktail books to see if there was a definitive origin story worthy of the best superheroes. The best I found was that some folks think it was named after a man whose last name was Paloma, or a woman whose first name was Paloma, or it was created in a town in Mexico called Paloma.
This past summer, I attended a James Bond “Cocktails & Canapes” soiree here in Los Angeles, put on by the Great Britain 007 Fan Club (why yes, I’m a member!). It was a fantastic night, with many classic Bond Girls from the films in attendance. The drink of choice that evening was not a Vesper or a Vodka Martini, or even champagne… it was the Paloma! In the film No Time To Die, Ana de Armas plays Paloma, an ally to our favorite gentleman spy who stylishly takes out a number of henchman in one the movie’s most popular scenes.
Paloma (the character) made quite the impression to Bond fans and the moviegoing community. Since the film’s release, I’ve noticed Paloma’s (the drink) rise in popularity at parties, bars, etc.
So, lets take a look at the Skinny Paloma and how to make one. A little lighter in the calorie department, this drink won’t slow you down if you need to save the world.
What kind of tequila makes the best Skinny Paloma?
Since our Paloma today is going to be a skinny one, we’re going to stick to a Blanco, or silver tequila. Look out for pure agave brands too, since those will be lower in sugar and help keep the calorie count lower than a regular version. Also, be mindful of the alcohol content of the tequila you get, as the higher the ABV% is, the more calories your cocktail will have.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of Silver Tequila
- 1/2 oz lime juice the juice from approximately half a lime
- 4 oz of grapefruit-flavored sparkling water
- Optional: salt for rimming the glass
- Optional: slice of lime or grapefruit for garnish
Instructions
- Rim the edge of your glass with lime juice and then dip it into a plate of salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in the 2 oz of Silver Tequila and the 1/2 oz of fresh lime juice into your glass.
- Top it off with 4 oz of grapefruit-flavored sparkling water, gently stir to mix all the ingredients. You can garnish your glass with a slice of lime or grapefruit.
Nutrition
FAQs, Tips & Tricks
I’ve always had Palomas served to me in either a double rocks glass or a highball glass. Simple and elegant, just like the cocktail. Salt your glass’s rim and slide either a wedge of lime or grapefruit on it to complete the look and taste.
If you need to premix a batch of Skinny Palomas for your next cocktail and canape party, add everything together except for the sparkling water. Keep your drinks nice and bubbly by topping the drinks off with it as you serve. And you can keep the other part of the mixture in the fridge for at least a day before your friends arrive.
This is what we’re here for regarding this cocktail! At only 135 calories per drink, you can always have that extra Skinny Paloma without feeling guilty.
You can use fresh fruit juice, but the calorie count will climb. Since we’re keeping this drink a skinny version, the best option is the grapefruit flavored sparkling water. Avoid sodas as those will also pack on the sugar.
I hope so!
Skinny Paloma Variations
If you liked our Skinny Paloma and are hoping for more, health conscious cocktails, you’re in luck. Just about every mixed drink out there has a “skinny” or low calorie variation.
- Virgin Skinny Paloma – One good way to cut back the calories is to not add any tequila and instead top off your mocktail with more grapefruit infused sparkling water.
- If you want to add a little extra sweetness to your cocktail, use a small (very small) amount of sugar on the rim of your glass instead of salt. For a spicier take, use chili salt. The heat pairs well with the tequila.
- If you’re looking for more skinny drink options with even less prep or ingredients, give a simple Vodka Soda a try. With the only mixer being club soda, this refreshing and simple cocktail has the roughly the same amount of calories as the Skinny Paloma.
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