Where Drinks Experts Go in London for the Perfect Paloma

"May is, apparently, London's Paloma Month, culminating in World Paloma Day on 22 May. A quick look behind the curtain, however, suggests no real historical or cultural link between the pink tequila-and-grapefruit cocktail and the month itself-making the 'celebration' feel more like a well-timed marketing invention than an established tradition."

"According to consumer data recently reported by The Guardian, the agave-based spirit has now overtaken gin as the UK's bestselling spirit, and is set to be the pour of the summer. The Paloma cocktail (Spanish for 'dove') is typically made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda, served over ice with a lime wedge and, sometimes, a salt rim."

"For at-home mixing, there are plenty of good grapefruit sodas on the market. For a more traditional Mexican-style serve, Jarritos Toronja - now widely available in London - remains something of a benchmark, with its sugar cane sweetness pairing particularly well with tequila blanco. Elite Traveler drinks columnist Alice Lascelles swears by Two Keys Pink Grapefruit Soda when making Palomas at home."

"At Los Mochis, the Mexican-Japanese restaurant with locations in the City and Notting Hill, the house Paloma has developed a loyal following. The team makes its own grapefruit cordial by blending grapefruit peel with sugar and citric acid, creating a brighter, sharper citrus profile. The drink is then lengthened with Wavelength Ruby - a non-alcoholic grapefruit kombucha - before being topped with Three Cents grapefruit soda."

May is promoted as London’s Paloma Month, ending with World Paloma Day on 22 May, despite no clear historical or cultural connection to the pink tequila-and-grapefruit cocktail. Tequila is gaining momentum in the UK, overtaking gin as the bestselling spirit and positioned as a summer favorite. A Paloma is typically made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda, served over ice with a lime wedge and sometimes a salt rim. Some versions use fresh grapefruit juice and club soda. At home, grapefruit sodas are recommended, including Jarritos Toronja as a benchmark. Bars also create house grapefruit cordial and combine it with non-alcoholic grapefruit kombucha and grapefruit soda.

Read at Elite Traveler