Spice Up Your Paloma

A jalapeño-inspired twist on the grapefruit and tequila based cocktail

From the LifeMinute.TV Team

May 22, 2023

Looking for a refreshing cocktail with a kick? Take a sip of this SPICY Paloma. To celebrate World Paloma Day on May 22 we are making the grapefruit and tequila based bev with a ‘lil zing. Here is how to make our spicy version of the national drink of Mexico.

Ingredients:

For the Jalapeño Simple Syrup
1 large jalapeño thinly sliced, seeds reserved
1/4 cup (55 grams) brown sugar
4 ounces (118 milliliters or 1/2 cup) cold water

For the Spicy Paloma Cocktail
1 ounce lime juice
2 ounces Jalapeño Simple Syrup
4 ounces tequila blanco
6 ounces grapefruit juice
2 ounces grapefruit seltzer

To garnish:
Cayenne pepper for rimming the glasses, optional
Grapefruit slices optional
Jalapeño slices optional
Lime optional

Instructions:

Prepare the Jalapeño Simple Syrup
-Add the jalapeño pepper slices and seeds to a pot with the brown sugar. Add the cold water to the pot and stir together
-Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring to dissolve the brown sugar
-Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn the stove off
-Allow the peppers to infuse into the simple syrup for 15 minutes
-After the peppers have infused their flavor and heat into the simple syrup, strain them and the seeds away before discarding them
-Allow the simple syrup to cool completely and transfer it to a jar with a tight-fitting lid for storage. Store it in the fridge for up to 10 days
-If you're making your cocktails right away feel free to leave it at room temperature

Rim the Cocktail Glasses (Optional)
-Use a wedge of lime to moisten the sides of two highball glass
-Once it's wet, dip into small bowl of cayenne pepper, swirling around to coat the rim
-Set the glass aside to dry for 5 minutes

Mix the Spicy Paloma Cocktail
-Fill a large cocktail shaker with a handful of ice
-Add the lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup, grapefruit juice, tequila blanco, and grapefruit seltzer to the shaker
-Cap the cocktail shaker and give it a vigorous shake for 30 seconds. Stop shaking once the exterior of the cocktail shaker frosts over
-Divide the spicy grapefruit base equally between your two highball glasses
-Float as much or as little of the grapefruit soda into the glass and garnish as desired