Enjoy the sultry and robust refreshment of a Smoky Paloma this evening.
Remember that old Dr. Pepper commercial? You know the one. A sweaty and chiseled space cowboy enters the crowded Far Star Bar, with all the alien patrons there just as moist and swarthy. The stranger, with his male model good looks and ten-gallon hat, saunters up to the bar, brimming with worldly confidence courtesy of an acting class or two.
“Give me the unusual”, he says in a gravelly tone. The sexy bartender, Bond Girl Caroline Munro, serves up some of the strangest beverages this side of the Mos Eisley Cantina, until he finally gets what he wants… a fizzy, non-alcoholic Dr. Pepper. Now, I love that particular soda, especially the classic Plano, Texas variety. But tonight, we’ll be looking at an unusual but delicious take on another classic libation.
The Smoky Paloma combines both tequila and mezcal with grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup and egg white for a smooth and complex sipping experience. There’s no club soda found in this version, like in the original Paloma. This take is a stronger, full-bodied sipper.
And the best thing about the Smoky Paloma is that you don’t have to travel to the farthest reaches of the galaxy—or the 1980s—to enjoy a few.
What Is The Best Tequila And Mezcal To Use In A Smoky Paloma?
The Smoky Paloma is a powerful-tasting elixir, and that’s mostly due to the combination of two agave spirits: tequila and mezcal. And while both have similarities, tequila can be fruitier, smoother and is made from blue agave, while mezcal can be produced from a variety of agave plants and has a smokier, spicier profile. I crafted my cocktail with a Matasanta Jabalí mezcal and some peppery, earthy and unaged blanco tequila, specifically Casamigos.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce blanco tequila
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup adjust to taste
- 1/2 ounce egg white
- 1 lime wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a shaker, combine the tequila, mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Without ice, shake the mixture for 10 seconds. This is known as a dry-shake.
- Add ice and shake once more until the mixture is chilled.
- Double strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a lime wheel.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Fill a rocks glass with ice, and once your drink is poured in, garnish with a lime wedge on top or a wheel on the rim.
SHOULD YOU DOUBLE-STRAIN THIS DRINK?
Yes, as this will give your beverage a smooth and clean sip every time, without allowing any little chips of ice sneaking in there.
Paloma Variations Worth Trying
The Paloma is an easy-to-make and easy-to-drink cocktail. It also has a nice number of variations you and your friends can enjoy, especially when you’re in the mood for something different, but also familiar. Twist & Toast has a nice array of recipes that you can try out right now.
- Rosemary Paloma – This take on the popular cocktail is both herbal and refreshing.
- Paloma Sour – The Paloma and the Sour come together to craft a delectable tipple.
- Mezcal Paloma – Another riff on the classic that’s bubbly and robust.
- Spicy Paloma – Here’s a concoction that’ll heat things up while cooling you down.
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