Palomezcal
This smoky grapefruit cocktail is a mezcal take on a classic Paloma. Fresh citrus, a little agave, and fizzy grapefruit soda make it bright, simple, and party-friendly.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mMexican-inspiredDrinks
Palomezcal is what happens when a Paloma meets mezcal. You still get the tart grapefruit and lime, but the mezcal adds a gentle smoky edge that makes the drink feel a little more grown-up.
This version uses fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup, and chilled grapefruit soda. The soda brings sweetness and bubbles, so the drink stays refreshing instead of heavy.
If you are new to mezcal, start with a mild, joven mezcal. Joven means “young,” and it usually has a clean, bright flavor that works well in cocktails.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
8 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 grapefruit wedge, for wetting the rim and garnish
- 1 small pinch kosher salt, for the rim, optional
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave syrup
- Ice, for shaking and serving
- 2 ounces chilled grapefruit soda
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Prepare the glass
Run the grapefruit wedge around the rim of a rocks glass or highball glass. Dip part of the rim in kosher salt, if using. Salting only half the rim lets each person choose how salty they want each sip.
2. Fill the glass
Add fresh ice to the prepared glass. Use enough ice to fill the glass most of the way. A cold, full glass keeps the cocktail crisp and slows melting.
3. Add the juices
Pour the fresh grapefruit juice and lime juice into a cocktail shaker. Fresh juice gives the drink a cleaner tart flavor than bottled juice.
4. Add the mezcal and agave
Pour in the mezcal and agave syrup. Agave syrup is thick, so measure it carefully and let it slide fully out of the jigger or spoon.
5. Shake until cold
Add a handful of ice to the shaker. Seal it tightly and shake for about 10 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels cold. Shaking chills the drink and helps the agave blend in.
6. Strain into the glass
Strain the mixture into the ice-filled glass. Straining means pouring through the shaker’s built-in strainer or a small sieve so the shaking ice stays behind.
7. Top with soda
Pour the chilled grapefruit soda over the drink. Add it slowly so the bubbles stay lively and the glass does not overflow.
8. Garnish and serve
Give the drink one gentle stir to combine. Garnish with the grapefruit wedge and serve right away while it is cold and fizzy.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make ahead: Mix the mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave up to 4 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. Shake with ice and add soda just before serving.
- Storage: This cocktail is best served right away after the soda is added. Leftovers will lose their bubbles, but you can refrigerate the mixed base without soda for up to 1 day.
- Swap the soda: Use grapefruit sparkling water for a drier drink, or use a sweeter grapefruit soda for a more classic Paloma-style cocktail. If using unsweetened sparkling water, you may want another 1/4 ounce agave.
- No cocktail shaker: Stir the mezcal, juices, and agave very well in a jar with ice, then strain into the glass. A jar with a tight lid also works as a shaker.
- Mezcal swap: If mezcal tastes too smoky, use 1 ounce mezcal and 1 ounce blanco tequila. You can also use all blanco tequila for a classic Paloma direction.
- Salt rim note: Tajín works well instead of kosher salt if you like mild chile and lime flavor. Use a light hand so it does not overpower the grapefruit.
Cook's note
Because grapefruit sodas vary a lot in sweetness, taste the drink before adding extra agave. If your soda is very sweet, the recipe as written should be enough. If you use plain sparkling water, increase the agave slightly or add a splash more grapefruit juice for balance.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What does Palomezcal mean?
Palomezcal is a playful name for a Paloma-style cocktail made with mezcal instead of, or in place of some, tequila. It keeps the grapefruit-lime profile and adds mezcal’s smoky flavor.
Can I make a pitcher of Palomezcal?
Yes. For 8 cocktails, combine 2 cups mezcal, 2 cups fresh grapefruit juice, 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, and 1/2 cup agave syrup in a pitcher. Chill well. To serve, pour about 4 ounces of the mix over ice in each glass and top each with 2 ounces chilled grapefruit soda.
Is mezcal stronger than tequila?
Not necessarily. Most mezcal and tequila are bottled around 40% alcohol by volume, though some bottles are higher. The main difference is flavor. Mezcal often tastes smoky because of how the agave is cooked.
Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?
You can, but choose 100% grapefruit juice if possible. Bottled juice can taste flatter or more bitter than fresh juice, so taste before mixing and adjust with a little extra lime or agave if needed.
How do I make it less sweet?
Use grapefruit sparkling water instead of grapefruit soda, or reduce the agave syrup to 1/4 ounce. You can also add a little more lime juice for a sharper finish.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium121 mg
- 5%
- Total Carbohydrate30 g
- 11%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars27 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium11 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium121 mg
- 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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