Even though Paloma is the Spanish word for pigeon, this cocktail is not for the birds.  If you want a Mexican cocktail and are willing to branch out from the usual libation, go for a Paloma.  The traditional Paloma includes a mix of tequila, grapefruit soda (usually Jarritos, a Mexican brand), and lime juice.  However, I’m not a big fan of carbonated beverages, so I prefer a different version that uses fresh ingredients.   Here is my recipe:

Pigeon tastes great!

2 ounces tequila
Juice from 1/4 grapefruit
Juice from 1/4 lime
.33 ounces simple syrup
Pinch of sea salt (optional)

Combine in a shaker with ice, shake con fuerza mucho, then strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Grapefruit garnish optional.

As with its close relative the Siesta,as far as I'm concerned it generally doesn't matter which tequila you use in a Paloma (I like Herradura reposado). However, I suspect this cocktail would work better with blanco or reposado tequila instead of anejo.

As the Paloma is the final part of the Grapefruit Triad, you may have three questions about it.  Is it tasty?  Is it tart?  Is it a solid alternative to a margarita?  The answers – si, si, y si.  I'm not saying the Paloma will improve your command of the Spanish language, but it just might.

To read Part One of the Grapefruit Triad (the Siesta) click here and to read Part Two (the Hemingway Daiquiri) click here

Citrus juices are an important part of many cocktails, and of course you can use the fruits as garnish.  Lemons? Without them the Frisco wouldn’t have a little edginess.  Limes? They turn a fine ginger martini into a perfect Ginger Lime Martini.  Oranges?  They taste great, and the peel works wonders in a Manhattan (forget the Maraschino cherry).

But what about grapefruit?  It has just the right balance of tartness and sweetness, but you don’t see them in cocktails very often.

It’s time to change that.  For the first part of what I deem the Grapefruit Triad, I give you the Siesta.  I first read about it in the Men’s Journal magazine. Apparently a bartender at PDT in New York (excellent cocktails but a surprisingly limited selection) created it.  Here is my barely modified version of the original recipe:

A girly cocktail, or just girly looking? Keep reading.

1.5 ounces tequila
Juice from 1/2 lime
Juice from 1/2 grapefruit juice
.25 ounces simple syrup 
.25 ounces Campari

Combine in shaker with ice, shake, then strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Grapefruit garnish optional.

The Siesta is not much different than a Paloma, which is another part of the Grapefruit Triad.  The Siesta has some Campari in it, but the Paloma does not.

I must address the (pink) elephant in the room. Many men who see the picture of the Siesta are thinking: “No way am I drinking a girly looking cocktail like that.”  Gentlemen – be man enough to try a girly looking cocktail, and if you like how it tastes, be man enough to have one.  Keep in mind there is a distinction between a girly looking drink and a girly, i.e. weak, drink.  Like a well made Cosmopolitan with good ingredients, the Siesta is a “girly” cocktail if by “girly” you mean “looks cute, tastes great, and will knock you on your ass if you have more than two.”