Made with a truly delightful rich simple syrup infused with lime, this Elderflower & Citrus Paloma is a refreshing sweet & tart cocktail for any warm weather occasion.
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Happy Cinco de Mayo!
I’ll keep today’s post short and sweet. I’ve already spoken at length about all the delicious Mexican cuisine on the internet right now. I’ve even shared my own take: a recipe for Baked Chile Relleno with Quick Mango Starfruit Salsa and homemade Salsa Ranchera Sauce to go with it (in case you missed it)!
But what delicious Cinco de Mayo feast is complete without a perfect tequila cocktail to go with it? While there is nothing wrong with a good margarita, I thought I’d switch things up and share another tasty tequila drink with you today – a paloma.
A traditional paloma is typically made with one part tequila and three parts grapefruit soda or juice. I’m giving the classic a slight twist: a dash of St. Germain elderflower liquor lends some class with its floral notes, and my favorite part – a homemade lime simple syrup – adds just the right amount of sweetness to the naturally tart grapefruit juice. This Elderflower & Citrus Paloma pairs beautifully with hot and spicy foods, but it’s just as refreshing by itself as you sip it on your porch, enjoying the ends of the day.
The rich lime simple syrup is incredibly versatile, so I provided a recipe larger than you’ll need for just this drink. It can easily be substituted into any cocktail that usually calls for some lime (or lemon) juice and sugar. Since it’s a rich syrup, made with double the sugar to water ratio, it also has a long shelf life. Rich simple syrups can keep in the refrigerator for well up to six months. I’m enjoying it in everything from the paloma below, to gin and tonics, to a twist on a bourbon old fashioned.
Quick note – while I love a sugar rim on a glass, it’s certainly optional if you’d like to be a little lazier about this drink. You may just want to add some extra lime syrup to the recipe to balance out the sweetness depending on your personal tastes.
If you need some alternate ideas for food to pair with your paloma, I highly suggest checking out the cookbook Tacos: Recipes and Provocations for inspiration – the photos are stunning. Or, perhaps these spicy pork tacos or chicken enchiladas will hit the spot. All of them will put you in the mood for Cinco de Mayo!
I hope you enjoy this delicious Elderflower & Citrus Paloma and have a lovely weekend – Cheers!
Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. I recommend products honestly and because I find them interesting or helpful. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Elderflower & Citrus Paloma with Homemade Lime Syrup
Ingredients
- 3 oz tequila reposado
- 4 oz grapefruit juice
- 1 oz St. Germain elderflower liquor
- 1 oz homemade rich lime simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Extra fine sugar, to rim the glasses
- Grapefruit wedges, for garnish
Rich Lime Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Zest and juice of 2 limes
Instructions
Make the rich simple syrup ahead of time:
- Heat the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar, and once the mixture starts to simmer, reduce the heat to low. Add the lime zest and juice, and allow the ingredients to simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, until the mixture has thickened and slightly reduced. The syrup may take on a slight golden hue, but do not let it darken too much - you do not want it to to caramelize.
- Remove the lime-infused rich simple syrup from heat, and allow to cool. Strain the syrup into an airtight bottle or jar, discarding the spent lime peels. Chill for at least an hour before using for best results. A rich simple syrup can last up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
For the Cocktail:
- Prepare 2 coupe or lowball glasses with a sugar rim.
- Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, elderflower liquor, and lime syrup together in a cocktail shaker with two ice cubes. Shake until frosty. Strain the cocktail into the prepared glasses. Share with someone you care about (or drink them both – no judgments here!).
Notes
This sounds delicious; I love elderflower! Your photos are beautiful too!
Elderflower always makes things a little classier, right? Thanks so much Dominique!
Great cocktail! I’m usually a Martini drinker and don’t care for foo-foo drinks, but this drink is fabulous! Love the addition of Lime Simple Syrup and Elderflower Liqueur as compared to our Palomas.