The perfect end to a long, hot day comes in the form of the Watermelon Paloma cocktail.
Some lessons are learned the hard way…
Despite being somebody who never gambles, I found myself on the losing end of a ridiculous bet. The specifics of it are hazy, as is the amount of Palomas that this stranger I had lost to, and me, ended up drinking that afternoon. Honestly, if all I had done that day was sit back and sip on a few fizzy Palomas I would’ve been elated. But I just had to go for the oddest suggestion I had heard in a long while.
Anyway, the bet was made and I did not win. And for my penance, all I was required to do was stick each foot in a giant, fresh watermelon—like putting on a pair of shoes—and run at top speed for 200 yards in under a minute. At first, this sounded too easy. But then I remembered I would be travelling with a Three Stooges gag for footwear. Might not be as easy as I had hoped. We’ll soon see.
To cut an embarrassing story short, I promptly fell forward onto my face upon taking my first step. The giant watermelons I wore on my feet acted as anchors, and all I could do was weeble, wobble, weeble again, then fall down. Every time I stood up, this happened. To add insult to injury, I didn’t even make it past one yard and floundered for 30 minutes before I managed to break the watermelon apart and get free of these juicy and fruity oversized slippers.
Of course, I didn’t use any of those watermelons in tonight’s drink, the Watermelon Paloma, because ewww.
What is the best tequila to use in a Watermelon Paloma?
When crafting any mixed drink, the main goal is balance. Sure, everybody wants a nice boozy bite with every sip, but refreshment and flavor are important too. If you can meld all three together in perfect harmony, well, that’s when a cocktail really becomes unforgettable. So for our Watermelon Paloma, an unaged silver tequila is the best choice. With its peppery, earthy notes and clear color, this style of spirit provides the perfect light touch in both taste and appearance.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup watermelon cubes
- Lime and salt for the rim
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave syrup
- 2 ounces club soda to top
- Watermelon slice to garnish
Instructions
- Place the watermelon cubes into a blender. Blend on high until completely liquefied and pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl, pressing down on the pulp to extract all the juice. You should end up with approximately 2 ounces of juice.
- Pour the salt onto a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass. Dip the wet rim into the salt.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, watermelon juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup. Shake well.
- Strain into your prepared glass filled with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with a watermelon wedge.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Fill a highball glass with ice and pour your shaken mixture in. Top with club soda and garnish the rim with a fresh wedge of watermelon.
Can grapefruit soda be used in this recipe?
Yes, you can add some extra fruit flavor along with some fizz by using a grapefruit soft drink instead of club soda. Squirt, Fresca, Jarritos and Fever-Tree are just some of the brands you can find.
Other Paloma variations worth trying
Once you’ve discovered the tart and refreshing joys that are found in every sip of a Paloma cocktail, you’ll quite possibly want them all the time. And one of the best things about this delicious and bubbly libation is the number of different Palomas one can have. Try these out to satiate your curiosity—and thirst—then explore the site for even more tasty versions.
- Smoky Paloma – A tipple that literally drips with atmosphere and a wonderfully singed flavor.
- Skinny Paloma – Looking after your waistline? Here’s a treat that’s on the lighter side.
- Paloma Sour – Frothy, tangy and, like its name suggests, sour.
- Beer Paloma – A simple, sudsy, and satisfying take on the classic drink.
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