The Story Behind The Winter Paloma

The Margarita is reportedly America's favorite cocktail, with a sour-soaked 51 percent of our countrymen naming it their drink of choice in 2017.

Its cousin, the Paloma, made with lime, grapefruit soda, and mezcal or tequila, is a versatile and arguably more nuanced agave cocktail. The Paloma is on the rise, too; at the 2017 Tales of the Cocktail, Q Drinks founder Jordan Silbert predicted it would become, "the next Moscow Mule."

With cooler temperatures descending on the VinePair test kitchen, we decided to create a tart, wintry take on a traditional Paloma. Pomegranates, linked to December holidays in some cultures, bring sweetness, while tart cranberry juice maintains balance.

The brands you use are up to you, but those who prefer less sweet drinks should splurge on no-sugars-added pure cranberry and pomegranate juices.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces tequila blanco
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 ounce pomegranate juice
  • Soda water to top

Directions

  1. Combine tequila and both juices in a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake well to combine and chill.
  3. Pour into a Highball glass over ice.
  4. Top with soda water. Stir.
  5. Garnish with a lime wedge.
  6. Enjoy!

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Updated: 2019-05-03

The Winter Paloma Recipe