La Paloma

This spring I discovered a new-to-me cocktail: La Paloma. I ordered one at a local restaurant and immediately knew that I wanted to try to recreate it at home. After a little googling and some discussions with multiple bartenders on our trip to New York plus some good old fashioned taste testing, I've zeroed in on a great version to make at home.

La Paloma has a tequila base and most often has lime juice plus a grapefruit soda. The first one I had was tequila, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice and tonic and I loved it. I tried this mix at home and the results were refreshing, but only so-so. The next one I had at another local bar was tequila, lime juice and Ale81 (a local soda, similar to Squirt). It was great! In New York, I had one with grapefruit juice, lime juice and soda - good, too. Emily had been making hers with grapefruit Izze, lime juice and a splash of soda. Jarritos is the traditional soda used south of the border. If you can get your hands on that, it might be worth a try. I couldn't find any locally so I went with San Pellegrino's Pompelmo. It is refreshing, grapefruity without being too sweet. Perfect for my taste. And while I have seen recipes that call for a salted rim on the glass, none of the ones I ordered in bars came that way and I like it fine without the salt. Below is my recipe.

Erin's La Paloma - Makes 1

2 oz. silver agave tequila (I like Dulce Vida)

2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice (1 to 2 limes)

4 oz. San Pellegrino Pompelmo soda

Mix tequila and lime juice. Pour into a tall glass filled with ice. Top with San Pellegrino grapefruit soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Happy weekending to you all. Cheers!