Boozy Drinks

Citrus Paloma Cocktail

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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.

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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.

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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…

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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?

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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.

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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.

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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.

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

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.

Citrus Paloma {mind-over-batter.com}

[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.

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