The Paloma is the epitome of a no-fuss summer cocktail: The iconic Mexican drink balances sweet, sour, and salty notes; packs a boozy punch; and comes together in just a minute or two. The Spanish name la paloma translates to “the dove” (and perhaps making one will bring you some peace), but some posit the origin of the drink’s name is related to the similar-sounding pomelo, Spanish for grapefruit and the flavor at the heart of the drink.
To serve a paloma in its simplest form, a host may choose to leave out bottles of tequila, grapefruit-flavored soda like Squirt or Jarritos, and lime wedges and allow guests to pour their own. This paloma recipe swaps grapefruit soda for fresh juice and club soda, which allows you to rein in the sweetness as you please. For the alcohol base, tequila is more common, but mezcal also works. If your home bar needs restocking, consider Pueblo Viejo for blanco tequila and Sombra or Vida for mezcal. With the leftovers, you can make another batch or a slew of other summertime drinks, like a Margarita or Siesta.
