Spicy Paloma Recipe
Adds a kick to your traditional Paloma cocktail with this delicious and easy Spicy Paloma Cocktail recipe.
Good news. We’ve all made it to Friday again.
And we’re back with another #SipsForSummer cocktail for you to make this weekend!
The bad news is that we’re predictable enough (after the Salty Dog recipe) to still be on a spicy cocktail kick.
And now we’re helping/forcing you to jump on the bandwagon too with this simple Spicy Paloma recipe!
What is a Paloma?
The traditional Paloma contains tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit-flavored soda or juice.
It is very similar to a margarita which also contains tequila and lime juice.
Instead of grapefruit soda, margaritas typically call for orange liqueur or a margarita mix.
What Makes this Paloma Recipe Spicy?
What adds kick to the Paloma? Our jalapeño simple syrup is what makes this Paloma cocktail spicy.
If you’re not totally sure that you’re going to love this drink enough to go through the trouble of making your own spicy simple syrup, you can always take a simpler route.
Just add a jalapeño slice or two to the Paloma recipe by itself to see what you think first!
Can I Make This Cocktail Not Spicy?
Before you non-spicy lovers go running, you can always skip the spicy portion for regular simple syrup to make a traditional Paloma.
And it’s as simple as mixing three ingredients together! Doesn’t get much easier than that, right?
How to Make a Jalapeño Simple Syrup
Ingredients needed
Jalapeño peppers
Sugar
Water
Step by step instructions
1 — Prep the jalapeños by removing the stems, slicing into rounds, and then removing the seeds and membrane.
You can leave the seeds and membrane intact if you’re wanting it extra spicy, though!
2 — Next, bring the water to a boil and add in the sugar by continuously mixing until it’s fully dissolved. Add the jalapeño to the sugar water and let it come to a boil again.
Then, let it simmer for 10 minutes.
3 — Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool completely until it’s back to room temperature.
Strain/remove the jalapeños from the simple syrup.
Once it cool, it’s ready for mixing cocktails!
How to Store Jalapeño Simple Syrup
You can store your jalapeño simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Ingredients to Make a Spicy Paloma Cocktail
Tequila
Fresh grapefruit juice — Strained
Jalapeño simple syrup — Refer to our recipe.
Lime — You’ll only need a squeeze in each cocktail.
Splash of grapefruit soda water — We used La Croix, but you can also use regular soda water.
Jalapeño slice, sugar and sea salt mixture — For garnishing
How to Make a Spicy Paloma Cocktail
1 — If you’re dressing up your rim, run a lime wedge across the top of your glass and dip it into the sugar and sea salt mixture before assembling your cocktail.
2 — In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, grapefruit juices, spicy simple syrup, and squeeze of lime juice over ice.
Shake and then strain and pour over ice into your dress glass.
3 — If you want an extra spicy version, you can top with a jalapeño slice with the membrane still intact, or remove the seeds and membrane for a mild (and cute!) garnish on top.
Other Spicy Cocktails to Try
What do you think?! Are you down for trying a little bit of spice with your summer sips?
For my fellow spicy lovers, what are some of your other favorite drinks with a kick?
We’re looking to branch out so definitely link to your recipe for me to try!
If you love a bit of kick to your cocktails, check out a few of our favorite recipes from our archives —
Spicy Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
For the jalapeño simple syrup:
- 3 jalapeño pepper
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Paloma:
- 1 oz tequila
- 3 oz grapefruit juice strained
- 1 oz jalapeño simple syrup
- 1 squeeze lime
- 1 splash grapefruit soda water or regular soda water
- 1 jalapeño slice and sugar and sea salt mixture for garnishing
Nutrition
Notes
- Store your jalapeño simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
- If you don't want to make the jalapeño simple syrup but still want the spice, add a jalapeño slice or two to the Paloma recipe by itself!
- You can omit the peppers if you don't want the kick.
Instructions
To make the jalapeño simple syrup:
- Prep the jalapeños by removing the stems, slicing into rounds, and then removing the seeds and membrane. You can leave the seeds and membrane intact if you’re wanting it extra spicy, though!
- Bring the water to a boil and add in the sugar by continuously mixing until it’s fully dissolved. Add the jalapeño to the sugar water and let it come to a boil again, then let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove the mixture from heat and let it cool completely until it’s back to room temperature and strain/remove the jalapeños from the simple syrup. Once it cool, it’s ready for mixing cocktails!
To make the Spicy Jalapeño Paloma:
- If you’re dressing up your rim, run a lime wedge across the top of your glass and dip it into the sugar and sea salt mixture before assembling your cocktail.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, grapefruit juices, spicy simple syrup, and squeeze of lime juice over ice. Shake and then strain and pour over ice into your dress glass.
- If you want an extra spicy version, you can top with a jalapeño slice with the membrane still intact, or remove the seeds and membrane for a mild (and cute!) garnish on top.
Don’t forget to share your Paloma drink with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? Find them all right here with a few bites to go along with them!