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Cocktail History
The Winter Paloma is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created as a winter-inspired variation of the Paloma. Based on a similar recipe published in Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH, this version calls for smoky mezcal as the base spirit instead of tequila and pairs it with the classic’s grapefruit, lime, and soda water. Instead of muddling sage leaves, however, we added our salted sage syrup for more savory and herbal flavors.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Mezcal: This is a spirit made in Mexico with agave, sugar, and alcohol that is aged in an underground pit lined with wood. We used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal because it has a palatable mezcal flavor with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and tangerine. For a mocktail version of this drink, try MONDAY Zero Alcohol Mezcal in place of the mezcal.
Grapefruit Juice: This is the liquid juice of a grapefruit. We used freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
Salted Sage Syrup: This is a sweetener made with sage leaves, sea salt, white sugar, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Soda Water: This is a type of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. We used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water because it’s light, essentially flavorless, and refreshing.
Sage Leaves: This an evergreen herb. We used fresh sage leaves.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
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This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-12.
Tasting Notes
The Winter Paloma starts with scents of grapefruit and sage, has a taste that highlights the grapefruit’s sweetness on the forefront leading into a slight smokiness of mezcal and the herbal flavors of sage, and it has a lingering earthiness and herbal-tinged fresh fruit on the finish.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: It goes without saying that Alex loved everything about this drink, and despite its impressive two ounces of smoky mezcal, Kendall also really enjoyed it since the grapefruit and herbal syrup did a good job of smoothing it out.
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“When mezcal pops up in a template I already love, I’m always a little wary that I won’t enjoy it as much, but I was wrong in this case. This smokier version of the go-to grapefruit drink is quite delightful. We did change the ratio of the ingredients quite a bit by adding more grapefruit and less simple syrup, and I think that’s what made the difference. Otherwise, the mezcal would’ve been too prominent and definitely would’ve overshadowed the grapefruit.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-12.
Winter Paloma
The Winter Paloma is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created as a winter-inspired variation of the Paloma. Based on a similar recipe published in Winter Drinks: 70 Essential Cold-Weather Cocktails by the editors of PUNCH, this version calls for smoky mezcal as the base spirit instead of tequila and pairs it with the classic’s grapefruit, lime, and soda water. Instead of muddling sage leaves, however, we added our salted sage syrup for more savory and herbal flavors.
Ingredients
Method
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Add mezcal, grapefruit juice, salted sage syrup, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh cracked ice.
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Top with soda water.
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Stir gently for 3-5 seconds.
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Garnish with sage leaves.
