The Best Paloma Cocktail for the Fall

The best libation when the weather gets cool in Texas is a Paloma Cocktail. A variation of the classic Margarita cocktail, palomas are made with fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice and a splash of orange liqueur. I opted for a homemade Orange Simple Syrup which is an upcoming recipe on my blog. The cocktail and the syrup are both easy to make and incredibly delicious!

A delicious cocktail

After lockdown, so many of us were thinking of ways to enjoy our homes again. I had gotten into the bad habit of rushing to town whenever I could. These days life is a little slower and I hang around the ranch on the weekends. A fresh Paloma Cocktail made with grapefruit harvested right outside our door in absolutely unbeatable.

Look for a good quality tequila when you make your Paloma Cocktail. Cheap tequilas will give you a hangover (you have heard the country songs right?) Treat yourself to an authentic añejo tequila produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco for best results. Make sure to have plenty of fresh limes and a box of margarita salt too.

The flavor of Fall in Texas

If you are wondering about the name paloma, it means “dove” in Spanish. I think this delicious cocktail was created on a South Texas dove hunt, a typical Fall weekend pastime here in ranch country. Palomas have grown in popularity in Texmex restaurants around Texas, so look for them on the menu.

If I had a dove hunt planned, I would make 4-5 batches of this Paloma Cocktail recipe and take it along in Thermos or a pitcher to serve them out in the field. I am never the shooter when we go out hunting. I am usually the “color commentator” and occasionally the picnic bringer. The cocktails and tailgating are my favorite part of the hunt!

Print