Paloma Mocktail

Before you start

In Mexico, the Paloma is tequila topped with grapefruit soda, a simple highball with a salted rim. The alcohol-free version leans on the grapefruit even more. Fresh pink grapefruit juice gives fruit and gentle bitterness, lime adds snap, agave rounds it out, and a pinch of salt in the drink as well as on the rim makes the grapefruit taste brighter and less bitter.

You can top it with grapefruit soda for a sweeter, quick version or with plain soda water for a drier one. To bring back some of tequila's earthy, peppery character, add a few drops of brine from pickled jalapeños or a small piece of green chile. Serve it tall and very cold.

Ingredients

• 60 ml (2 oz) fresh pink grapefruit juice — about half a grapefruit
• 15 ml (½ oz) fresh lime juice
• 10 ml (2 tsp) light agave syrup
• 1 small pinch fine sea salt
• 120 ml (4 oz) soda water or grapefruit soda — chilled
• 1 lime wedge — for the rim
• 1 tbsp coarse salt or chile-lime salt — for the rim
• 1 grapefruit wedge — for garnish

Method

1. Moisten half the rim of the glass with the lime wedge and roll it in salt. Salting only half lets you choose salty or plain sips.
2. Fill the glass with ice. Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup and the pinch of salt.
3. Stir for about 10 seconds to dissolve the agave and salt and chill the juice.
4. Top with chilled soda water or grapefruit soda, pouring slowly down the side of the glass.
5. Lift once from the bottom with the bar spoon to blend without losing the fizz.
6. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge on the rim. Taste and add a squeeze of lime if it needs more sharpness.

Tips for success

• If using grapefruit soda, skip the agave at first. Most sodas are sweet enough on their own.
• Squeeze grapefruit just before serving. Its juice turns bitter and dull after a few hours.
• Chile-lime salt on the rim adds a gentle heat that makes up for the missing tequila bite.

Substitutions

Agave syrup

Simple syrup works but is less rounded. Honey syrup adds a floral note; dissolve 1 part honey in 1 part warm water first.

Pink grapefruit

White grapefruit is more bitter and tart. Increase the agave to 15 ml to balance it.

Soda water

Mineral water with stronger bubbles and some saltiness is a good match. Tonic adds bitterness and sweetness; reduce the agave if using it.

Variations

Spicy Paloma

Muddle 2 thin slices of jalapeño with the lime before adding ice, or add 5 ml pickled jalapeño brine.

Rosemary Paloma

Swap the agave for rosemary syrup and garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Troubleshooting

It tastes very bitter

The grapefruit was white or the pith was squeezed hard. Add more agave and a pinch more salt, which softens bitterness.

It tastes watery

Use more grapefruit juice and less soda, around 90 ml soda, and keep the soda and juice cold before you start.

The rim is too salty

Salt only half the rim, use coarse salt rather than fine, and tap off the excess before you fill the glass.

Storage

Serve immediately once topped with soda. Fresh grapefruit and lime juice can be refrigerated in a sealed jar for a few hours but taste best right away. Discard leftover fresh juice by the next day.

Safety notes

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with some prescription medicines. Anyone taking medication should check with a pharmacist or doctor before drinking grapefruit juice regularly.