September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month! As a Southern California-founded business, Blue Pacific is proud of our region’s strong Hispanic roots, as well as the vibrant culture of our Mexican and LatinX team members. Today we’re raising a toast to Mexico with our recipe for the Perfect Paloma. Bursting with natural grapefruit flavor, this classic citrus cocktail will quench your thirst (and brighten your day). ¡Salud!

The Margarita might be the most well-known Mexican cocktail in America but the Paloma is actually more popular in Mexico – so much so that it has been crowned “The National Drink of Mexico.” The Paloma is a flavorful cocktail made from grapefruit soda, tequila, lime juice, and a pinch of salt (sprinkled right into the glass or lining the rim). 

Many cocktails originated long before prohibition, but the Paloma (which is Spanish for “Dove”) didn’t hit the scene until after the first grapefruit soda, Squirt, was invented in 1938. While the details are murky, we do know that Squirt was first exported to Mexico in the 1950s, around the same time that the Paloma started making a name for itself. No one knows exactly who invented the Paloma or how it got its name; some credit Don Javier Corona, the legendary owner of the famed La Capilla bar in Tequila, Mexico. We may never know the true origin of the Paloma, but one thing’s for certain: it’s the perfect cocktail to enjoy on a warm sunny day!

While you can find fancier versions that call for more ingredients, this is the classic (and easiest!) version. Lime adds a bright sour edge, while the grapefruit soda delivers a bubbly, sweet citrus flavor that balances out the tequila’s bitterness. The salt gives an extra flavor boost while making the palate thirsty for another sip.

The Paloma is a refreshing, no-fuss beverage that’s perfect for summer picnics and backyard BBQs. Its grapefruit and lime flavor pairs especially well with the spicy salsas and smoky chile-based sauces of Mexico.

The Perfect Paloma

Ingredients

• 1 chilled bottle grapefruit flavored soda
• 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
• 1/4 to 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, depending on sweetness of soda
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt and 1 lime wedge, for rimming (optional)
• Lime and grapefruit wedges for garnish

Instructions

1. Add salt to a small plate. Rub lime wedge on rim of glass, then dip rim in salt.
2. Fill glass with ice. Add grapefruit flavored soda to fill 1/3 of the way up. Let the bubbles settle, then pour in tequila and lime juice. Top with more grapefruit flavored soda.
3. Stir gently, garnish with lime and/or grapefruit wedge, and serve immediately.

Yield: 1 drink

Hispanic Flavor Specialists

International flavors are driving consumer preference more than ever before. In fact, our consumer research studies consistently show ethnic flavor options to be a top driver for Gen Z food and beverage purchases. Blue Pacific specializes in crafting authentic Hispanic-inspired flavors, such as strawberry guava flavor, hibiscus flavor, jicama flavor, horchata flavor, and dulce de leche flavor – among many others! Our experience in beverage formulation, combined with our passion for natural and organic flavor, can help you create products with global appeal. Contact us today to request samples of your favorite Hispanic-inspired flavors!