Swap out the tequila for mezcal, add a bit of jalapeño and you’ve got yourself a heated twist on a classic Paloma. This Spicy Mezcal Paloma is a tart and refreshing cocktail perfect for your next happy hour.
About this Cocktail
Yes, yes I know. A Paloma is usually made with Tequila. But why not spice things up (quite literally) with this Spicy Mezcal Paloma.
Mezcal is an agave based tequila. Fun fact learned from Wikipedia the word mezcal itself comes from Nahuatl mexcalli, which means “oven-cooked agave”, from metl and ixcalli. It has a smoky flavor that works really well in this drink.
This Spicy Mezcal Paloma really does have everything you’d want from a cocktail. Sweet and tart grapefruit, against the smoky mezcal, citrusy lime, and an optional salty rim served icy cold on the rocks. The perfect summer cocktail on a hot day!
And if you like a heated cocktail, you should also check out this Pineapple Jalapeño Moscow Mule, this Spicy Orange Jalapeño Margarita, or this Skinny Spicy Marg, too! Or for something sweeter and refreshing, try this Frozen Berry Prosecco Sangria.
Recipe Ingredients
- Grapefruit – We will squeeze the pink grapefurit juice out of the fruits and then also use the peel as garnish, you can use store bought grapefruit juice, but it doesn’t even hold a candle to fresh grapefruit juice. Fresh squeezed is SIGNIFICANTLY better.
- Mezcal – All tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Mezcal is made from a wide variety of agave types, while tequila is specifically blue agave.
- Triple Sec – A classic margarita ingredient adding a hint of sweetness and fruitiness. Goes great with mezcal just as it does tequila.
- Jalapeños – The kick in this Spicy Paloma comes from fresh jalapeño. Optional; add a bit of chili powder for an extra smokey kick.
- Club Soda – A little fizz to top things off. La Croix Pamplemousse Grapefruit soda is perfect, but any variety will do. Topo chico is a great option, too.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Mezcal Paloma Cocktail Recipe
This mezcal cocktail comes together in a few simple steps.
- Using a juice reamer, squeeze the juice from 3 large grapefruits and set aside (You can use store bought grapefruit juice, but it doesn’t even hold a candle to fresh grapefruit juice. Fresh squeezed is SIGNIFICANTLY better).
- In a cocktail shaker, add diced jalapeños and the juice from one lime. Spend 2-3 minutes muddling the jalapeños into the lime juice.
- Then, strain the seeds from the juice.
- Add mezcal, triple sec, the juice from the second lime, and all of the grapefruit juice. Shake together (if you like things sweeter add a bit of simple syrup, agave syrup, or honey syrup here, too).
- If you’d like, rim a glass with fresh lime and garnish with salt or sugar before pouring the cocktails.
- Pour Paloma mixture into rimmed glasses over fresh ice cubes. Top with club soda and serve with a grapefruit peel and/or lime wedge. Enjoy!
PRO TIPS
USE FRESH GRAPEFRUIT JUICE. It takes this cocktail from good to absolutely amazing. It feels gourmet because it is so fresh. Plus, it’s so much lighter than processed grapefruit juice.
Recipe FAQs
Technically speaking tequila is a type of Mezcal. . They are both agave-based liquor; however, Mezcal is an alcohol made from a wide variety of agave plants, whereas tequila is specifically from Blue Agave. With regards to flavor, Mezcal is much smokier. This is because it is made in underground pits and cooked for several days, while tequila is made in ovens.
Both of these cocktails use grapefruit juice, however while a traditional Paloma is made with tequila, a Greyhound is made with gin or vodka.
Salt and lime are used to cut the bite of tequila. Since we are making a Mezcal Paloma, I don’t think you need to do a salted rim because Mezcal is much smoother than tequila. You most certainly can if you’d like, however, if you like salty notes. Or do a sugar rimmed glass!
First pulse 1-2 cups of ice in a blender until it becomes a shaved consistency. Then add all ingredients to your blender (limes juiced, jalapeños with stems and seeds removed) and blend until smooth.
Serving suggestions
Stick with the Mexican theme! Serve la paloma with some of this Elote in a Cup for a fun pre-dinner small plate and drink. As for a main, this drink goes well with these Blackened Mahi Tacos or this Avocado Shrimp Ceviche. Keep on the grapefruit theme and for a dessert, make these Grapefruit Bars.
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Spicy Mezcal Paloma
Equipment
- shot glass / jigger
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- juice reamer
- Muddler
- Cocktail glasses
Ingredients
- 3 large grapefruits, juiced, roughly 4-6oz of juice per fruit
- 6 oz mezcal
- 3 oz triple sec
- 2 limes
- 2 jalapeños
- 12 oz club soda, Pamplemousse La Croix
Instructions
- Using a juice reamer, squeeze the juice from 3 large grapefruits and set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, add diced jalapeños and the juice from one lime. Spend 2-3 minutes muddling the jalapeños into the lime juice.
- Then, strain the seeds from the juice.
- Add mezcal, triple sec, the juice from the second lime, and all of the grapefruit juice. Shake together.
- If you’d like, rim a glass with fresh lime and garnish with salt or sugar before pouring the cocktails.
- Pour Paloma mixture over ice into cups. Top with club soda and serve with a grapefruit peel.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
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If you’re using MyFitnessPal, search ‘A Paige Of Positivity’ and find RECIPE TITLE calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
NOTE: this is counting the alcohol as strictly carbs – remember, if you are counting your macros & alcohol, this is a good reference: Macrostax | How To Calculate Alcohol for Macro Counting
TO COUNT YOUR ALCOHOL AS A CARBOHYDRATE: Use the total number of calories in a drink divided by 4 (Example: 5 ounces of Red Zinfandel = 132 calories 132 calories/4 = 33g Carbs. TO COUNT YOUR ALCOHOL AS A FAT: Use the total number of calories in a drink divided by 9 (Example: 5 ounces of Red Zinfandel = 132 calories 132 calories/9 = 15g Fat) TO COUNT YOUR ALCOHOL AS BOTH A CARBOHYDRATE AND A FAT: Use the a portion of the total number of calories in a drink divided by 4 Use the remainder of the total number of calories in a drink divided by 9. Example: 5 ounces of Red Zinfandel = 132 calories 66 calories/4 = 16.5g Carbs 66 calories/9 = 7g Fat
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
I can’t believe it took me so long to make a Paloma with FRESH grapefruit juice instead of store bought – it’s AMAZING! Cheers!
I thought I was a Spicy Marg girl. Then I tried this. I’m definitely a Spicy Paloma girl