Introducing the Rosé Paloma. This Paloma recipe is a tantalizing concoction that brings together the bold flavors of tequila, grapefruit, and rosé wine in a harmonious symphony of taste. This exquisite twist on the classic Paloma is not for the faint of heart.
The Rose Paloma is a strong-flavored alcoholic drink that demands to be savored slowly, allowing each sip to unfold its layers of complexity on your palate.
The combination of rosé wine, tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda create a bold and invigorating flavor profile that is balanced and refreshing, making it a perfect companion for a sophisticated evening of sipping and savoring.
Take your time, indulge in the flavors, and let the Rose Paloma transport you to a realm of refined and elevated taste experiences. The robust, invigorating flavors will wake up your senses.
Why is the Drink Called a Paloma? The exact origin of the name “Paloma” for the classic Mexican cocktail is not entirely clear. There are several theories though. According to WikiPedia, the name “Paloma” stems from the Spanish word for “dove.” The cocktail was possible named after the dove due to its light and refreshing nature, reminiscent of the bird’s graceful and gentle qualities.
Another theory is that the Paloma cocktail was named after La Paloma, a popular folk song in Mexico. La Paloma is a traditional Mexican song that dates back to the mid-19th century and has been widely sung and celebrated in Mexican culture.
The song’s lyrics mention doves and the romantic imagery associated with them. This may have influenced the naming of the cocktail. We don’t actually know. Some think an unknown bartender came up with it.
What’s a Paloma drink made of?
The classic Paloma is a Mexican cocktail recipe with silver tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice, with ice in the glass. The Paloma is full of bold refreshing flavors. It’s a popular choice for sipping during warm weather or as a lively cocktail option for any festive occasion.
The Rosé Paloma adds the wine for extra flavor and kick.
Which Tequila is Best for Paloma?
Use Silver tequila for Paloma drinks. This tequila is also known as blanco or white tequila, is a type of tequila that is un-aged and clear. This allows the pure flavors of agave to shine through.
Silver tequila has a fresh, crisp, and vibrant flavor. This complements the tangy and citrusy notes of the grapefruit soda and lime juice in a Paloma. The clean, smooth profile of the silvers add depth and complexity to the cocktail without overpowering the other flavors.
When selecting a silver tequila for your Paloma, look for one that is 100% agave. This means it is made entirely from the agave plant without any additional sugars or additives. These tequilas are higher quality with a more authentic tequila flavor perfect for Palomas.
What is the Difference Between a Margarita and a Paloma?
While both the Margarita and the Paloma are tequila-based cocktails, they have distinct flavor profiles, ingredients, garnishes, preparation methods, and origins. The Margarita is tangy and sour, typically made with lime juice and orange liqueur, while the Paloma is refreshing and grapefruit-forward, typically made with grapefruit soda or juice.
Both are delicious cocktails that can be enjoyed in different settings and for different occasions, depending on personal preferences. Here’s a bit more detail on how they are different drinks.
- Flavor Profile: The Margarita is a tangy and sour cocktail with a strong citrus-forward flavor profile. It typically combines tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, such as triple sec or Cointreau, and is often served in a salt-rimmed glass. The Paloma, on the other hand, is a slightly sweeter and more refreshing cocktail with a grapefruit-forward flavor profile. It typically combines tequila, grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice, and lime juice, and is often served with a salt-rimmed glass as well.
- Ingredients: While both cocktails contain tequila as a base spirit, the Margarita typically includes lime juice and orange liqueur, whereas the Paloma includes grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice. The Margarita may also be sweetened with simple syrup, agave nectar, or other sweeteners, depending on the desired sweetness level, while the Paloma is typically sweetened by the grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice used.
- Garnish: A Margarita is often garnished with a lime wheel or wedge, and the rim of the glass is typically salted. A Paloma, on the other hand, is often garnished with a grapefruit slice and a sprig of rosemary, which can add a touch of aromatic elegance to the drink.
- Preparation: The Margarita is usually shaken with ice and strained into a glass, while the Paloma is typically built directly in the glass with ice. Both cocktails can be served on the rocks, but the Paloma is often served with a larger amount of ice to make it more refreshing.
- Origin: The Margarita is believed to have originated in Mexico in the 1930s or 1940s and has since become a classic cocktail that is popular worldwide. The Paloma, on the other hand, is also believed to have originated in Mexico, but its exact origins are less clear, with various theories about its creation. It has been a popular cocktail in Mexico for many years and is gaining popularity internationally as well.
Classic Paloma Drink Vs. The Rosé Paloma
The classic Paloma cocktail is known for its refreshing and tangy flavor profile. It has a blend of sweet, sour, and bitter notes that can be enhanced or muted by the amount of sweetener and brands of ingredients used.
The Rosé Paloma recipe is not a traditional Paloma recipe. The addition of the Rosé wine sets it apart. The Rosé wine adds a floral and fruity note to the Paloma. This enhances the complexity and depth of flavors in the drink. The rosé wine’s characteristic flavors also adds a subtle sweetness and a touch of acidity, which can complement the tangy grapefruit soda and the bold tequila flavors.
Adding rosé wine to the classic Paloma can elevate the flavor, aroma, body, and visual appeal of the cocktail, creating a unique and enhanced drinking experience.
You’ll notice a distinct aroma, ranging from floral to fruity, depending on the specific Rosé wine used, adding a pleasing scent to the drink.
Adding Rosé wine also adds both body and mouthfeel to the Paloma. Depending on the wine’s texture and viscosity, it can contribute a more rounded and satisfying experience to the drinker.
The Rosé wine can also change the color of the Paloma cocktail. If you love pink drinks, choose a deep pink wine.
Options: The best Paloma cocktail recipe is the one best suited to you. There are many ways to tweak your Paloma. Here are a few ideas:
This simple Paloma recipe can be easily adjusted to suit your taste preferences. You can experiment with different types of Rosé, tequila, grapefruit sodas or juices, and adjust the amount of lime juice or sweetener to find the perfect balance for your palate.
If using grapefruit soda, the sweetness level of the drink may be sufficient without additional sweeteners. However, if using grapefruit juice, you may wish to add a sweetener of your choice, such as simple syrup or agave nectar, to taste, depending on your preference for sweetness.
Alcohol Content of the Rosé Paloma Drink:
The Rosé Paloma has a higher alcohol content than the classic Paloma.
Using a standard 40% ABV tequila and an average 12-14% ABV rosé wine, the alcohol content of our Rose Paloma drink recipe is approximately 0.92-0.94 oz. of pure alcohol per cocktail. This is a bit stiffer drink than the classic Paloma, at 0.8 oz. of pure alcohol per cocktail.
Please note that alcohol content can vary depending on the specific brands and proof of the alcohol used.
Presentation:
The Glass: Palomas are often served in Hi-ball glasses. These are narrow tall glasses that show off the garnishes and offer a nice grip. We chose short glasses for our rosé Paloma. This pretty glass is a good choice for our preference for the side salting for this particular drink.
The finishing touches: Prepare a garnish that will elevate the drink to new heights of sophistication.
- Rim the glass with coarse sea salt, adding a hint of savory saltiness that contrasts perfectly with the drink’s tangy sweetness. You can opt to use simple syrup or lime juice to rim the glass, depending on your preference for sweetness or acidity.
- Salt the Glass Side: This technique is what we used for this drink. To salt a side of the glass you simple roll the glass side into the lime juice or simple syrup, allow it to drain off the excess, and then roll the wet side into salt. Rimming just one side of the glass gives you more control as the drinker, over how much salt you actually imbibe. and it’s a cool look. 🙂
- Adorn the drink with fresh grapefruit slices and sprigs of rosemary. This is a simple garnish that sets off the tantalizing drink. The grapefruit slices add a burst of citrus aroma, while the rosemary sprigs impart a fragrant and earthy note that complements the drink’s flavors harmoniously.
Rosé Paloma Recipe
The Rose Paloma is a refreshing, slightly tart cocktail. IT features the floral notes of rosé wine blended with the bold flavors of tequila and grapefruit soda. It's a unique twist on the classic Paloma cocktail, with the addition of rosé wine adding a touch of elegance and complexity.
The Rose Paloma is best suited for sipping. It offers a balanced and refreshing flavor profile that is perfect for warm weather or anytime you're in the mood for a crisp and invigorating cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Rosé wine
- 4 oz. Silver Tequila
- 6 oz. grapefruit soda
For the Garnish:
- Coarse Sea Salt
- simple syrup (or lime juice)
- Fresh grapefruit slices
- Fresh Rosemary sprigs
Instructions
Prep:
Chill the glasses 30 minutes
Rim the Glasses:
- Set out two flat plates.
- On one plate, pour out a shallow spill of simple syrup
- On the other plate, pour an even layer of sea salt
- Roll each glass into the simple syrup. Then roll the glass into the sea salt. You can do just the glass rim, or use our method of rolling just one side of the glass into the syup and salt for a different look. TIP: after you roll the glass into the simple syrup, let the excess syrup drain off the glass so the salt sticks but does not get too wet, for the best adhesion.
- OPTIONAL: Rather than use simple syrup, just swipe the glass rim or side with lime juice.
- Set Glasses aside.
Make the Paloma Drink:
- Add ice to your cocktail shaker.
- Pour in the paloma, lime juice and tequila.
- Shake vigorously until very cold.
- Add ice to the glasses.
- Strain the shaken cocktail evenly into salted glasses.
- Top each glass off with 3 oz. grapefruit soda
- Garnish with grapefruit and rosemary.
- Serve immediately
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
2Amount Per Serving Calories 267Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 8mgCarbohydrates 29gFiber 1gSugar 25gProtein 1g
More Delicious Tequila Drinks:
- Pineapple Margarita
- Tequila Sunrise
- Mexican Martini
- Mexican Mule
- Mistletoe Margarita
- Ocean Blue Margarita
For our complete collection of tequila drinks and cocktails visit our cocktail section.
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Roseanna
Monday 8th of May 2023
Am I missing something in the recipe today? The instructions for the drink do not jive with the ingredient list. Don't see lime juice in ingredient list and also "pour into salted glass"?? What am I missing??
Diane
Monday 8th of May 2023
Hi Roseanna, Limes are not a part of this recipe, but often used for glass rimming(and mentioned in the garnish ingredients list for that reason) so I mentioned it as an option for you if you don't want the sweetness of the simple syrup. You can also use grapefruit of just water if you like. In this case, we opted to use simple syrup and roll the glass side in it and then the salt. It's just another presentation technique we are introducing if you want to give it a try. Rimming the glass or salting the side are both often done with this recipe and totally optional. We give complete instructions on how we presented this drink just above the drink instructions and we have a section on this process in the post if you need further help with it. I hope this helps. Have a great day!
Todd
Monday 24th of April 2023
A Melocoton cocktail. ……. Peach Crown, Silver tequila, and Fresca. Delicioso!!!!
Diane
Monday 24th of April 2023
Sounds delish!