Mexico’s favourite cocktail? La Paloma, not margarita, is country’s concoction of choice, and it’s poised to take over the world
Quality grapefruit soda is key to the no-fuss agave-based recipe, which is gaining in popularity worldwide
If you ask almost anybody outside Mexico what that country’s most popular cocktail is, they will almost certainly nominate the margarita. They will be wrong, however. For most Mexicans, the preferred agave-spirit-based drink is a concoction called La Paloma.
“Although, internationally, La Paloma is not as popular as the margarita, to me it tastes much better. It’s more refreshing, simple and straight to the point. There’s no romantic story behind it, but if you go to Guadalajara, it’s the favourite cocktail mixed with tequila. It may be that the name comes from pomelo – there’s a resemblance between the words – but we’re not exactly sure.”
The lack of a backstory may be one reason the Paloma has been slow to catch on globally, although Khan says awareness is increasing and many bartenders in Hong Kong now have their own versions. The basic formula certainly has the virtue of simplicity.
“Traditionally, La Paloma is just tequila with a grapefruit soda, such as Squirt or Fresca – those two brands are very popular in Mexico – with a bit of fresh lime juice, and salt round the rim,” Khan explains.
“The first reference to a Paloma cocktail was seen in the book Cowboy Cocktails [by Grady Spears and Brigit Binns] in 2000, and that was a reference to a virgin La Paloma – without the spirit. However, the combination of tequila, grapefruit soda and salt goes all the way back to the 1970s, when Squirt was being promoted.”
