A slightly different take on the traditional, this Citrus Paloma showcases orange simple syrup, freshly squeezed citrus, and a healthy dose of tequila to create this zesty explosion of a cocktail.
We’re all adults here, right? Right. We can discuss adult things on this space, right? Right. Can we rap about what I’m digging? I dig making drinks. Like a lot. My dream is to convert a corner of my future (much larger) living room into a bar; a bar where I’ll host you like Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail, impressing you with my mixology prowess.
I have no prowess. I’m clumsy as hell. The chances someone will get hit over the head with a flying cocktail shaker are extremely high. On the bright side, a cocktail will make you forget I almost gave you a concussion. Or maybe the concussion will make you forget the concussion. Hmm…
Everyone is digging citrus right now. Soon there will be an onslaught of berry situations hitting every blog space. Right now, there’s citrus. Let’s showcase the f*** out of it, shall we?
I want to give it a good squeeze straight into a glass and top with a boozy somethin’ somethin’. My aim is to get you drunk. Sorry, that’s how I rolls around here.
I was searching for the perfect way to highlight one citrus fruit. When I couldn’t decide which one, I said screw it – Display as many as you can. And this Citrus Paloma was born. Palomas are traditionally made with 3 parts grapefruit soda, and 1 part tequila. That’s not where we’re headed.
Flow with me…
This Citrus Paloma veers from tradition and starts with a citrus salt rim. I made a batch of citrus salt which I mixed with sugar and rimmed the hell out a glass. It was fun. It’s not photographed here, but don’t skip that step. Learn to make that situation here. I then made orange simple syrup and what follows is a cocktail situation you need to be party to.
Orange simple syrup, a couple of lime wedges, freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juices are muddled with mint – Yes, mint. A healthy dose of tequila reposado and ice is added to a cocktail shaker. You shake that situation good and nice and top this jammy with seltzer (bubbles, yo!).
I was feeling every bit of this cocktail. Feelin’ it! The sweet/salty citrus salt, followed by the zesty pucker of all that citrus, AND! The tequila!!! It ends with that fresh-to-death mint situation. Yeah… I was feeling it, for sure. This is more labor intensive than pouring soda and tequila in a glass. This may not be for you. If it is, trust it to be worth every second of your time.
[purerecipe]
Ingredients
Orange simple syrup
- Juice and zest of 2 oranges
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup Water
Citrus rim
- 1/2 teaspoon Citrus salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Granulated sugar
- lime wedge for the glasses
The Paloma
- 2 half a lime Lime wedges
- 2 tablespoons Orange simple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Orange Juice
- Juice of 1/2 grapefruit
- 8 Mint leaves
- 2.5 ounces Tequila
- Ice
- Club soda or seltzer
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine orange juice and zest, granulated sugar, and water. Bring to a boil over high high. Once it's reached a boil, reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 5-6 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow the syrup to come to room temperature, then strain onto a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use. While the syrup is coming to room temperature prepare the citrus salt rim.
- Makes about 1 1/2 cups of simple syrup; enough for several cocktails.
- Make the citrus rim:
- In a small flat plate, combine the citrus salt and sugar and mix until combined.
- Salt the glass:
- To a highball or very tall glass, run a lime wedge over the rim of the glass. Invert the glass onto a plate and coat the rim of the glass with citrus salt/sugar. Set aside.
- Make the cocktail:
- To a cocktail shaker or a mason jar, Add the lime wedges, orange simple syrup, orange juice, grapefruit juice and mint leaves. Muddle with the muddler or back of a wooden spoon until the mint and limes are sufficiently mashed and fragrant.
- Add the tequila and ice and shake vigorously for about 8-10 seconds. Pour into a glass. Top with club soda or seltzer and garnish with a citrus wedge and mint leaves.
