May has been designated as Paloma Month in London, culminating in World Paloma Day on May 22. However, a closer look reveals a lack of historical or cultural significance linking the pink tequila and grapefruit cocktail to this time of year, suggesting this celebration is more a marketing ploy than an authentic tradition.
This is intriguing, especially considering how tequila and its cocktails have surged in popularity. Recent data from The Guardian indicates that tequila has surpassed gin to become the UK’s top-selling spirit, poised to lead the summer beverage scene.
The Paloma cocktail—its name translating to “dove” in Spanish—combines tequila with lime juice and grapefruit soda, served chilled with a lime wedge and often a salt rim. While some venues use fresh grapefruit juice topped with club soda, the classic versions remain popular.
For those mixing at home, several excellent grapefruit sodas are available. A standout is Jarritos Toronja, increasingly accessible in London, known for its sweet taste from sugar cane, which pairs well with blanco tequila.
According to drinks columnist Alice Lascelles, Two Keys Pink Grapefruit Soda is her preferred choice for making Palomas at home, being particularly effective in capturing the drink’s essence.
At Los Mochis, a Mexican-Japanese restaurant with locations in the City and Notting Hill, a signature Paloma has gained a dedicated following, including the editor-in-chief of World of Fine Spirits, Alex Martin. They craft their own grapefruit cordial by mixing grapefruit peel with sugar and citric acid for a zesty flavor, which they then blend with Wavelength Ruby, a non-alcoholic grapefruit kombucha, and finish with Three Cents grapefruit soda.
In Notting Hill, Palomas also find a unique interpretation at Viajante87, celebrated for incorporating Latin American ingredients into its cocktail menu. Both Tyler Zielinski, co-founder of Zest, and spirits author Millie Milliken regard this bar as an essential destination for Paloma enthusiasts.
Zielinski enjoys an off-menu variation featuring fluffy grapefruit juice, which yields a silky texture and impresses with its harmonious simplicity.
Blyde emphasizes the care taken in preparation. Pavan’s meticulous pouring and calculated dilution results in a Paloma that achieves the right balance of citrus, sweetness, and tequila punch.
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