Mezcal Paloma

The Paloma showed up in the 1950s after grapefruit soda arrived in Mexico. Squirt, a grapefruit soda invented in 1938, made it to Mexico around 1955. Paloma means “dove” in Spanish, but I doubt doves taste like tequila and grapefruit. Using Mezcal brings some depth and smoke to the cocktail for an interesting change.

MEZCAL PALOMA

2 ounces Mezcal
2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
2 ounces grapefruit soda
½ ounce fresh lime juice
¼ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup, or to taste
Combine all ingredients except grapefruit soda. Shaike and strain into collins glass with ice. Top up with grapefruit soda.