Re-create Mexico's national cocktail with Tequila Tromba

Celebrated for its simplicity from a preparation perspective, yet complexity on the palate—thanks to its perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty and bitter—the tequila-based Paloma is Mexico's most loved cocktail.

… And while it might be the margarita's lesser known counterpart on the global stage, this citrus-forward tipple is well and truly having a moment.

The UK's Financial Times coined it "the drink of the summer" last June, and it placed at number nine in Drinks International's bestselling classic cocktails at the world's best bars 2024 list last May.

With its generous serving in a highball glass and light, refreshing qualities—from the fizzy soda to the tangy grapefruit, it's the perfect complement to a Bondi summer.

What's the secret to perfecting the Paloma? Our friends at Tequila Tromba, whose tequilas hail from Mexico's Jalisco state, stress that a blanco tequila—the purest form of the spirit—is a must thanks to its complementary citrus notes.

Below they share their recipe for crafting this on-trend cocktail.

Photography: Ethan Smart

Ingredients (Makes One Cocktail)

60ml Tequila Tromba Blanco

15ml Lime juice

30ml Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit soda

Ice

Grapefruit slices

Method

• Build ingredients over ice and top with grapefruit soda.

• Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit.