Palomas Are a Summertime Trifecta: Tequila, Grapefruit, Soda

Is it just us, or are palomas everywhere recently? They’ve been a popular summertime sip in Mexico for years, usually made from a simple mixture of tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda (Jarritos is a popular brand, if you’re interested in trying out the OG recipe at home).

You’ve probably been to a backyard party where someone handed you Solo cup full of Squirt mixed with that omnipresent lime flavored El Jimador, and you probably had yourself a pretty good time. But if you’re ready to step up your paloma game (trust us, you are), there are some pretty great spots in Austin taking it to the next level.

Sour Duck Market

Draft Paloma

Palomas are on tap here, which gives the flavors in the mix – tequila, grapefruit juice, ginger, lime, and tarragon simple syrup – plenty of time to mellow and meld.

Academia

The Paloma

The paloma at Academia packs a serious one-two punch, combining the traditional tequila with Deep Eddy Ruby Red vodka, adding both a serious alcoholic kick to the pants and an extra dimension of fruitiness that makes it as refreshing as it is deadly.

Royal Jelly

Topo Chico Bottled Palomas

This congenial North Austin gastropub serves their palomas in an iconic old school Topo Chico bottle, and really, it doesn’t get more appropriate for Texas in the summer than that.

La Condesa

Spicy Paloma

When they say spicy, they aren’t kidding. The fruity sweetness of the grapefruit is livened up with both fresh ginger and a dose of domaine de canton ginger liqueur, which is made from a blend of cognac, orange blossom honey, and crystallized baby ginger.

Grizzelda’s

Skinny Paloma

The fine folks behind the bar at this ultra hip, brightly colored Eastside brunch favorite dress up their paloma with citrus bitters and Falernum, a sweet syrup traditionally used in Caribbean drinks.

Desert Door Sotol

Sotol Paloma

This Driftwood distillery is worth the trip just to taste your first sip of Sotol, a spirit made from sustainably grown piñas of the desert spoon plant. Its earthy floral taste is the perfect match for the peppy sour sweet of grapefruit juice.

Suerte

Nada Paloma

It’s back to the basics at Suerte, where the classic mixture of tequila, grapefruit, and, yes, the classic citrus soda instead of sparkling water, is brought down to Earth with the smoky addition of mezcal.

Guild

The Paloma

The newly expanded happy hour menu includes a paloma with Sauza tequila, lemon, grapefruit juice, and soda. You know what goes great with effervescent citrus cocktails? Oysters.