There’s something magical about that first sip of a perfectly crafted paloma. The way the tart grapefruit mingles with tequila’s distinctive bite never fails to transport me to a sunny patio, regardless of the weather outside. Over the years, I’ve become somewhat obsessed with this Mexican classic, experimenting with different fruit combinations to keep the love affair alive year-round.
This summer, I’ve fallen head over heels for my latest creation: the sour cherry paloma. While traditional palomas rely on grapefruit’s brightness, this version introduces the complex tartness of cherries, creating a cocktail that’s both familiar and delightfully unexpected.
Why You’ll Love This Sour Cherry Paloma
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart
Traditional palomas can sometimes lean too heavily into bitterness, but the sour cherry version strikes an ideal balance. The natural sweetness of cherry juice softens grapefruit’s edge while maintaining that signature tangy finish we all crave.
Year-Round Accessibility
Unlike fresh sour cherries, which have a fleeting summer season, tart cherry juice is available in most grocery stores throughout the year. This means you can enjoy this summery cocktail even when snow is falling outside.
Versatile and Customizable
Whether you prefer your drinks on the sweeter side or enjoy maximum tartness, this recipe adapts easily to your taste preferences. Simply adjust the simple syrup to find your perfect balance.
Essential Ingredients
For the Cocktail
- Kosher salt (for rimming)
- 1 grapefruit wedge (for rimming)
- Ice cubes
- 2½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 1½ oz tart cherry juice (100% juice recommended)
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Club soda for topping
- Grapefruit wheel and fresh or preserved cherries for garnish
Tequila Selection Guide
The type of tequila you choose will significantly impact your drink’s character. Blanco tequila offers the purest agave expression with bright, vegetal notes that complement the fruit beautifully. Meanwhile, reposado brings subtle caramel and vanilla undertones from its barrel aging, adding complexity that pairs wonderfully with cherry’s natural sweetness.
For this particular cocktail, I lean toward reposado because its mellowed edges create a more harmonious blend with the fruit juices.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Glass
Start by creating the perfect salted rim, which adds both visual appeal and flavor contrast. Pour kosher salt onto a small plate, creating an even layer. Take your grapefruit wedge and run it around the rim of your Collins glass, ensuring the citrus oils coat the edge completely. Next, dip the glass into the salt, rotating gently to achieve an even coating.
Building the Cocktail
Fill your prepared glass generously with ice – this ensures proper dilution and temperature. Add the fresh grapefruit juice first, followed by your chosen tequila. Pour in the tart cherry juice, watching as it creates beautiful color variations in the glass.
Final Touches
Add the simple syrup, then top with club soda, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Using a bar spoon, stir gently from bottom to top, being careful not to disturb the salted rim. The goal is to blend the ingredients without losing the drink’s effervescence.
Garnish with a fresh grapefruit wheel and a few cherries – fresh ones if you have them, or high-quality preserved cherries work beautifully too.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This cocktail shines brightest during warm weather gatherings, but its versatility makes it appropriate for various occasions. Serve alongside Mexican-inspired appetizers like fish tacos, guacamole with crispy tortilla chips, or grilled shrimp skewers.
For a more substantial pairing, consider serving with barbecued meats where the cocktail’s acidity cuts through rich, smoky flavors beautifully. The cherry notes also complement pork dishes exceptionally well.
Creative Variations to Try
Spicy Cherry Paloma
Add a thin slice of jalapeño to the glass before adding ice. The gentle heat plays wonderfully against the sweet-tart fruit combination.
Frozen Version
Blend all ingredients (except club soda) with a cup of ice for a slushie-style treat. Top with a splash of club soda after blending.
Virgin Cherry Paloma
Replace tequila with additional club soda and increase the simple syrup slightly. This creates a refreshing mocktail that captures all the original’s bright flavors.
Make-Ahead Tips
Batch Preparation
For parties, prepare a pitcher by multiplying the recipe and combining everything except the club soda. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then add club soda when serving.
Juice Preparation
Fresh grapefruit juice can be squeezed up to 2 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. However, for the brightest flavor, try to use it within 24 hours.
Glass Preparation
Salt-rimmed glasses can be prepared several hours in advance. Store them upside down on a clean kitchen towel to prevent the salt from absorbing moisture.
Important Notes
Quality ingredients make a significant difference in this cocktail. Invest in 100% tart cherry juice rather than cherry-flavored drinks, which often contain artificial flavors and excessive added sugars. Similarly, fresh grapefruit juice outshines bottled versions dramatically.
When it comes to simple syrup, you can easily make your own by combining equal parts sugar and hot water, stirring until dissolved. Store homemade simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to one month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use sweet cherries instead of tart cherry juice? While you can substitute sweet cherry juice, you’ll need to reduce or eliminate the simple syrup to maintain the cocktail’s balanced tartness. Tart cherry juice provides the ideal flavor profile for this drink.
What if I can’t find tart cherry juice? Most major grocery stores carry tart cherry juice in the juice aisle, often near other specialty juices. Health food stores typically stock it as well, sometimes in the supplement section due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
How can I make this drink less sweet? Simply reduce the simple syrup by half or eliminate it entirely. You can always add more sweetness, but it’s difficult to remove once it’s been mixed in.
Can I prepare a large batch for a party? Absolutely! Multiply the recipe by the number of guests and combine all ingredients except the club soda in a pitcher. Add the club soda just before serving to maintain carbonation.
What’s the best way to get the most juice from my grapefruit? Roll the grapefruit on the counter while applying pressure before cutting. Additionally, bringing citrus to room temperature before juicing yields more liquid than using cold fruit straight from the refrigerator.
Yields: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes