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Home » Blog » Cocktail and Drink Recipes » Jalapeño Paloma

Jalapeño Paloma

Cathy Roma Published: May 1, 2019

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Spicy, smoky, and a little salty…the jalapeño paloma is a party in a glass. The grapefruit juice balances out the heat from homemade jalapeño simple syrup, and the mezcal brings the wow factor!
Spicy, smoky, and a little salty…the jalapeño paloma is a party in a glass. The grapefruit juice balances out the heat from homemade jalapeño simple syrup, and the mezcal brings the wow factor!

Jalapeno Paloma

Summer weather cannot get here soon enough for me. And with that, summer cocktails!

Sometimes it’s sangria, other times I’ll serve a light vodka cocktail mixed with an herb-infused simple syrup, but this week I’m pulling out the big guns with this jalapeño paloma.

A paloma is a Mexican cocktail that is traditionally made with tequila, grapefruit soda, and a squeeze of lime juice. It’s tart and refreshing and thirst-quenching on a hot summer day.

Jalapeno Paloma

Since I love jalapeño anything, but especially in my cocktails, I made a jalapeño simple syrup that brings the heat with a little bit of sweetness. I also swapped out regular tequila in favor of mezcal.

If you haven’t tried mezcal before, stop whatever it is you’re doing and go out and buy a bottle. (Seriously, I’ll wait.)

Like tequila, mezcal is an agave-based liquor, but mezcal has an undeniable smoky flavor. Where the agave plant is uncooked in tequila, in mezcal it is roasted in a stone-lined pit over a period of days, then milled and left to ferment. The fermenting process takes several additional days before the mash is distilled and in the case of mezcal reposado or añejo, it is then aged in oak barrels for several months. The result is an assertive liquor that will make your regular tequila-based cocktail a showstopper.

Jalapeno Paloma

Now to be clear, mezcal is not for the faint of heart. If you’re a tequila drinker I think you will appreciate its bold, earthy flavor. But if you haven’t jumped on the tequila bandwagon yet, you might want to tone it down by starting with half tequila and half mezcal.

This paloma will still taste great and maybe by your second (or third) you’ll go whole hog. Cheers!

Tips for success

  • If you’re new to mezcal, take a sip first before you shake up your cocktail. If the smokiness is too assertive for you, try half mezcal/half tequila.
  • The jalapeño simple syrup makes enough for 6 cocktails. You can easily double, triple, or quadruple it. Store the extra syrup strained and covered in the frig for several days.
  • The heat in the syrup will increase as it steeps with the chopped jalapeño in it. Leave it longer to kick it up even more!
  • Use a spicy salt on the rim to add even more flavor and heat.

Jalapeno Paloma

More Warm Weather Sips

  • Mexican Mule
  • Ruby Slipper Cocktail
  • Frozen Cucumber Lemonade Cocktail
  • Peach Sangria Slushies
  • Watermelon Champagne Popsicles
5 from 1 vote
Print
Jalapeño Paloma
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

Spicy, smoky, and a little salty...the jalapeño paloma is a party in a glass. The grapefruit juice balances out the heat from homemade jalapeño simple syrup, and the mezcal brings the wow factor!

Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: jalapeno paloma, paloma
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 358 kcal
Author: Cathy Roma | What Should I Make For...
Ingredients
Jalapeño Simple Syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 water
  • 2 jalapeños, coarsely chopped
Jalapeño Paloma
  • 2 oz jalapeño simple syrup (recipe follows)
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 4 oz mezcal
  • 4 oz grapefruit juice
  • 4 oz club soda
  • Kosher salt
  • Grapefruit wedge and jalapeño slices for garnish
  • Ice/cocktail shaker
Instructions
Jalapeño Simple Syrup
  1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 15 mins. Strain and reserve.

Jalapeño Paloma
  1. Pour some salt onto a plate, then rub the edges of two tumblers with a grapefruit slice and dip into salt. Fill the glasses with ice.

  2. Combine all the ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously and pour into two glasses. Garnish with grapefruit and jalapeño slices.
Recipe Notes

Recipe yields about 6 oz jalapeño simple syrup.

  • If you're new to mezcal, take a sip first before you shake up your cocktail. If the smokiness is too assertive for you, try half mezcal/half tequila.
  • The jalapeño simple syrup makes enough for 6 cocktails. You can easily double, triple, or quadruple it. Store the extra syrup strained and covered in the frig for several days.
  • The heat in the syrup will increase as it steeps with the chopped jalapeño in it. Leave it longer to kick it up even more!
  • Use a spicy salt on the rim to add even more flavor and heat.
Nutrition Facts
Jalapeño Paloma
Amount Per Serving
Calories 358
% Daily Value*
Sodium 15mg1%
Potassium 126mg4%
Carbohydrates 58g19%
Sugar 56g62%
Vitamin A 150IU3%
Vitamin C 36.1mg44%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Update Notes: This post was originally published in May 2016 but was republished with tips and step by step photos in May 2019.

Jalapeno Paloma
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Cocktail and Drink Recipes, Recipe club soda, cocktail, grapefruit, holiday, jalapeno, lime juice, Mexican, mezcal, paloma, party, tequila, cocktail parties

About Cathy Roma

My food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. Sweet, savory, healthy, decadent…food, like life, is all about balance. I rely on my background as a trained chef/mom to create family-friendly recipes that will inspire you to cook, not complicate your life.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    May 26, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    OMGeee Cathy! This cocktail looks amazing! Spicy and refreshing! Cheers to a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      May 28, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Thanks so much Mary Ann! Cheers!!

  2. Candice @ Whole Health Hacks says

    May 27, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    Wow this looks absolutely amazing! Cannot wait to try! Enjoy the long holiday weekend – cheers, Candice

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      May 28, 2016 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Candice! Hope you have a great weekend too – this cocktail will help!

  3. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    May 29, 2016 at 6:12 am

    such a perfect summer inspired cocktail! i love the photos!

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      May 29, 2016 at 1:41 pm

      Thanks so much Thalia! It’s hits the spot on a hot day.

  4. Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon says

    May 30, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    The combo of sweet and spicy sounds so good! I’d love one of these on a hot day. For people who can’t have grapefruit, could I switch to a lime/orange juice combo? Would that work?

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      May 31, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      I’m sure a combination of orange juice and lime would taste good, making it more of a tequila sunrise than a paloma. Traditionally a paloma is tequila and grapefruit soda (or a substitution of grapefruit juice and club soda) and a tequila sunrise has orange juice and a splash of grenadine. Either way, win/win!

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HEY THERE, I’M CATHY.

My food philosophy is simple: everything in moderation. Sweet, savory, healthy, decadent…food, like life, is all about balance. I rely on my background as a trained chef/mom to create family-friendly recipes that will inspire you to cook, not complicate your life.

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