
Move over margaritas: The mezcal Paloma might just be our new happy-hour go to. Temperatures are slowly creeping upward (hooray!) and while it’s not quite beach season yet, we’ve officially set our sights on summer. The Paloma is a quintessential summertime drink, made with tequila or mezcal and grapefruit-flavored soda. So refreshing, right? Our take on this cocktail classic will instantly make you feel like you’re on vacay–even if the weather is saying otherwise.

Mezcal, an agave-based liquor similar to tequila, gives our Paloma recipe a smoky spin. Traditional artisan mezcal is cooked inside lava rock-lined earthen pits filled with wood and charcoal, and distilled in clay pots– hence, the smoky flavor. Mezcal can be an “acquired taste,” so feel free to use standard tequila instead. Either way, one sip will elicit an immediate ahh.

Ready to refresh cocktail hour? Mix it up with our recipe ahead. Cheers!


Do you prefer this cocktail recipe with mezcal or tequila? Tell us in the comments!
- PREP TIME: 5 MINS
- SERVES: 1
- paloma drink recipe
- cocktail recipe
- tequila drink
Ingredients
For one cocktail:
2 oz mezcal silver or tequila
2 oz pink grapefruit Italian soda
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz simple syrup
Sparkling water to top off the drink
Grapefruit to garnish
Sea salt flakes
Lime wedge
Directions
Step 1:
Wipe the rim of the glass with a lime wedge and then roll in the salt flakes.
Step 2:
Combine mezcal (or tequila), italian soda, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until the shaker is cold.
Step 3:
Pour mixture into the salted glass and pour a few splashes of sparkling water to top off the cocktail.
Step 4:
Top with a slice of grapefruit and enjoy!
Join The Conversation (10)
Hello! Which flower did you use and how do you corn it for drinks? I love this look!
Hi love! These are mini daisies!
Hey there! I am definitely doing this! may I reshare on my IG tagging you? that you Lulu!
Hi there–sure, please tag us!
Hi! Where can I find the daisys that are in the drink?
Hi there!
These are miniature daisies–if you search them online, you should be able to find a nursery near you or a website that sells them!
xo
I want to make these for my party! So cute! Did you use actual real flowers for the drink?
Hi there!
Yes we did! These are miniature daisies–if you search them online, you should be able to find a nursery near you or a website that sells them!
xo
Where is the recipe? I don’t see it
Hi there! The recipe is visible in non-AMP version if you scroll all the way down. Sorry for the glitch! Let us know how you like the recipe!
xo