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    Home / Recipes / Ingredient / Alcohol / Spicy Paloma Recipe

    10 April 14, 2016 Alcohol

    Spicy Paloma Recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    I’ve been particularly smitten recently with the combination of grapefruit and jalapeño. A couple of weeks ago, I showed off this pairing with vodka and St. Germain. This week, it’s tequila and basil.

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Spicy Paloma Recipe

    The Paloma cocktail in its simplest form is just tequila, grapefruit soda (usually Squirt) and a lime wedge for garnish. Here, I’m taking things to the next level with muddled jalapeño and basil, lime juice, simple syrup, fresh pressed grapefruit and fizzy water to finish. Small quantities of basil and jalapeño provide interesting notes of anise and spice while the tart freshness of grapefruit takes center stage.

    I’ve partnered with Olmeca Altos Tequila on this cocktail, and their Altos Plata Tequila is a perfect pairing here. Bright, citrusy and fruity, Altos Plata is a smooth, silver tequila infused with the herbaceous aroma of cooked agave. The citric and herbal notes of the tequila compliment the grapefruit, basil and jalapeño, resulting in a damn tasty beverage. Continue reading for my Spicy Paloma recipe.

    Paloma Produce

    Palomas can be enjoyed year-round, but they’re especially delicious right now when citrus season is in full effect. In my previous grapefruit cocktail recipe, I featured the sweeter Oro Blanco varietal. Here, I’m using a local Ruby Red grapefruit that’s got a good balance of sweet and tart.

    Paloma Process

    Freshly muddled jalapeño adds a nice hit of spice to this cocktail. Try not to go overboard with the spice though as it can overpower the nuanced flavors of the basil and tequila. Given that jalapeños can vary in heat, I would recommend you start with 1 to 2 thin slices of jalapeño. If the spice is a too mild or not noticeable, muddle an additional slice into your next beverage!

    Olmeca Altos Tequila

    Spicy Paloma Recipe
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    Spicy Paloma Recipe

    Inspired by this Atlos Paloma recipe.
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Author Brandon Matzek

    Ingredients

    • 2 basil leaves
    • 1– 2 thin slices of jalapeño*
    • 1 grapefruit wedge with skin
    • Juice of 1/2 lime
    • 1/2 ounce simple syrup**
    • 2 ounces Olmeca Altos Plata Tequila
    • 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
    • Chilled soda water, to top off

    1 grapefruit wedge, for garnish

    Instructions

    1. Place basil, jalapeño slice(s) and grapefruit wedge in a cocktail shaker, and gently muddle to release oils and flavors. Add lime juice, simple syrup, tequila, grapefruit juice and ice. Cap the shaker, and shake until well chilled. Strain into a tumbler filled with ice, then top off with soda water. Stir to combine. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

    Recipe Notes

    * Jalapeño is used here to add subtle spice, so don’t go overboard with the heat. Jalapeños can vary in spice level, so start with just 1 to 2 thin slices. If you really can’t taste the heat, muddle in an additional slice in the next drink.

    ** Simple syrup is made by warming up equal parts sugar and water, and stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Recently I’ve been making this in the microwave! But you can also easily prepare on the stovetop.

    This post was written in partnership with Olmeca Altos Tequila. All thoughts, opinions and recipes are my own.  Connect with Olmeca Altos Tequila on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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    Categories: Alcohol

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

      April 14, 2016 at 11:19 am

      You are the second blog today I’ve seen who has an Altos post up. Must be the thing 🙂

      You KNOW how much I love tequila and know that I could go to town on these palomas! Gorgeous Brandon!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:28 pm

        I need to search around to see who else is posting! Thanks Averie 🙂

        Reply
    2. Jennifer Farley says

      April 14, 2016 at 11:33 am

      I love a spicy drink! This looks incredible.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:33 pm

        Me too! Thanks Jen.

        Reply
    3. naomi says

      April 14, 2016 at 1:07 pm

      LOVE this! And spicy cocktails always win over sweet ones for me, so I can’t wait tot try this!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:35 pm

        I like fresh and/or spicy cocktails. The sweet ones just don’t do it for me anymore. Thanks Naomi 🙂

        Reply
    4. sippitysup says

      April 14, 2016 at 2:52 pm

      I’m staring at a bottle of Altos as we speak! I hadn’t decided yet what to do with it. Thanks for the inspiration. GREG

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:35 pm

        Excellent!! Let me know what else you come up with.

        Reply
    5. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says

      April 14, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      It’s almost Friday..which means I will be sipping on a FEW of these cocktails! LOVE that you made it spicy!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:36 pm

        Haha yes!! Thanks Taylor!

        Reply
    6. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says

      April 14, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      These flavors! I have to make this soon.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:37 pm

        Thanks Carrie!

        Reply
    7. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says

      April 14, 2016 at 7:34 pm

      Spicy cocktails are my jam! Also, congrats on going full time with blogging! I know you will rock it!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:37 pm

        Thanks so much Lauren :)!!

        Reply
    8. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

      April 14, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      The grapefruit and jalapeno combo sounds like it’s got just the right kick! And the basil addition makes it feel so fresh for spring.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:39 pm

        Thank Sarah!

        Reply
    9. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says

      April 15, 2016 at 7:53 am

      This looks like the ultimate Friday drink if I’ve ever seen one. Love the addition of jalapenos. I have yet to see some good jalapenos in my local produce stores, but I will be on the lookout 🙂

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:40 pm

        Haha yes! Friday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. I could have this Paloma pretty much any day 😛 Thanks Cathleen!

        Reply
    10. Aida Mollenkamp says

      April 15, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Oh, the paloma is one of my ALL TIME fave cocktails. This sounds like such a good twist on it!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:43 pm

        Me TOO! So simple, but so delicious. I’ve always loved grapefruit. It was a breakfast of choice when I was a kid 🙂

        Reply
    11. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says

      April 18, 2016 at 8:10 am

      I simply MUST make this. For ME!! I love grapefruit and spice and tequila. Gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:43 pm

        Do it!!! Then let me know how you like it 🙂 Thanks Brenda!!

        Reply
    12. Sara @ Cake Over Steak says

      April 18, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      When it comes to cocktails you are truly a man after my own heart! Love the sound of this. I don’t usually do spicy things, but lately I’ve been loving jalapeno in cocktails.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 3, 2016 at 4:44 pm

        Awww thanks Sara :)!! Can’t wait to see your tequila cocktail coming up.

        Reply
    13. Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says

      May 5, 2016 at 7:04 am

      Sounds like an epic cocktail – anything with jalapenos + basil and I’ve in!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 6, 2016 at 10:11 am

        Thanks Vicky!!

        Reply
    14. [email protected] says

      May 6, 2016 at 10:56 am

      Another beautiful boozy beverage! Pinning for our Summer sunny days!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 23, 2016 at 7:54 am

        Thanks Fabiola!!

        Reply
    15. Annie @ Annie's Noms says

      May 9, 2016 at 12:14 am

      I’ve never tried a paloma and definitely not a spicy one; but this looks epic! Such a pretty colour too!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        May 23, 2016 at 7:47 am

        If you love grapefruit, you’ll love a paloma. Enjoy! Thanks Annie.

        Reply

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    Brandon and Federico

    I'm Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Read More…


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