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Now that we’re within the canine days of summer season, cool, crisp cocktails are the ticket to rest. And whereas there are many choices on the market, a stable tequila-based potent potable is all the time going to be excessive on our listing.
Because of the usually balmy temperatures of Mexico, cocktails hailing from that nation usually show wonderful antidotes to our collective, heat-related summertime unhappiness. A major instance might be discovered within the Paloma, a mega-popular libation that includes tequila, grapefruit soda, and a lime wedge. At its essence, the Paloma looks like a stripped-down model of the margarita: easier, cleaner, and arguably extra refreshing. In fact, making a top-quality Paloma depends on choosing the best tequila for the job. To assist together with your future Paloma pursuits, we requested a bunch of 12 bartenders to supply their favourite tequilas for this summer season sipper, and listed below are their prime picks.
Tequila vs. Mezcal: What’s the distinction?
It’s true that these spirits are very related and, subsequently, can be utilized interchangeably in cocktails. However there are some distinct variations between the 2 that one ought to know earlier than shopping for a bottle. Whereas each spirits are comprised of the agave plant, tequila alone is made from the blue agave plant, grown solely in particular areas of Mexico. Mezcal specs usually are not as finicky. Moreover, Mezcal usually runs a bit stronger, with a median of 55% ABV, in comparison with tequila’s 40%. Relying on the model you buy, there are numerous taste variations as effectively. Mezcal, as an example, usually has a smokey high quality because the core of the agave plant is commonly roasted in underground pits, accounting for its typically bolder taste profile.
Tequila Fortaleza Blanco
Once we surveyed bartender contacts for his or her most popular Paloma tequila, an amazing favourite emerged: Tequila Fortaleza Blanco. Based mostly in Jalisco, this 125-year-old distillery depends on basic strategies to craft their tequila, utilizing a brick oven to prepare dinner their agave and a big stone wheel referred to as a tahona to crush the agave afterwards. So far as its Paloma health goes, mixologist and basic supervisor Katie Wokas of The Pioneer in San Diego, CA provides just a few phrases on the topic: “Fortaleza is hands-down my favourite tequila. It’s really actually nice by itself, however [it] actually enhances any cocktail, together with a Paloma. It’s tremendous clear and delivers delicate citrus, black pepper, and vanilla notes that actually complement the opposite substances within the drink!”
Tequila Corazón Blanco
The clear, light-weight nature of an unaged tequila makes it a pure match for Palomas, and beverage director Laurent Lebec of Big Star in Chicago, IL particularly enjoys Tequila Corazón Blanco. “The Paloma has been a cocktail staple at Large Star since we opened, and we’ve been cranking them out for the previous 10 years. It has as a lot [to do with] our idea because the margarita, and it has a refreshing, citrusy, fruity profile that’s completely distinctive. We use contemporary lime & grapefruit juice, in addition to Squirt [soda]. The tequila that works for us Tequila Corazón Blanco. From the home of Casa San Matias, it’s a full-flavored tequila, [made from] 100% blue agave and created in a facility that maintains artisanal integrity. [When tasting it, we] get ripe agave but additionally white pepper, papaya, and end notes which can be a bit extra vegetal, hinting at bell pepper. It balances The Paloma’s robust citrus profile & mild bitterness,” Lebec claims.
Siete Leguas Tequila Blanco
One other Blanco tequila that favors the old-school tips of the distilling commerce, Siete Leguas Tequila Blanco prides itself in its flavorful but unintrusive nature. It’s a favourite amongst bartenders due to its flexibility; lead bartender Amy Wong of King Tide Fish & Shell in Portland, Oregon says that “my selection of tequila for a Paloma is Siete Leguas Blanco. It’s a distillery that’s nonetheless producing tequila historically with a tahona, and the agave is from the highland area [of Mexico], which makes it a little bit bit sweeter. It additionally has a peppery mineral taste that I feel enhances the bitter grapefruit in a Paloma.”
El Tesoro Blanco Tequila
Made with Blue Weber agave from the highlands of Mexico, El Tesoro Blanco Tequila provides notes of contemporary fruit and veggies and a mild sweetness that performs completely off of the bitter and bitter flavors of the Paloma’s citrus parts. “My favourite tequila for Palomas positively must be a flavorful Blanco tequila, which is why I select El Tesoro Blanco. Its inexperienced roundness, with flavors of kiwi and pear, go nice with the acidity offered by the lime and grapefruit of a Paloma. End it off with a salted rim to reinforce all these flavors, and my mouth is watering already,” recommends basic supervisor Matt Ross of The Roosevelt Room in Austin, Texas.
Tapatio Blanco 110
If a Blanco tequila with further dimension appeals to you, then a model like Tapatio Blanco 110 would be the ideally suited addition to your at-home Palomas. “Tapatio 110 is a ‘high-proof’ tequila, however I favor to explain it as undiluted, that means you get a extra layered expertise – the tequila is nice alone, however distinctive in a cocktail alongside different substances. The [core] spirit in your cocktail ought to at the least be on equal footing together with your different elements, if not the star element, which isn’t a problem with Tapatio 110,” basic supervisor Josh Prewitt of La Condesa in Austin, TX tells us.
Prewitt appreciates a artistic strategy to Palomas, together with supplementary substances along with the standard tequila-grapefruit soda-lime juice trifecta. “Tapatio 110 is nice in a Paloma as a result of it really works effectively with a number of variations to the cocktail, essentially the most notable being the addition of muddled inexperienced chiles, which exaggerates the inexperienced chile notes of the tequila. Dictate what degree of warmth you need and resolve on a kind of pepper accordingly: shishitos for pronounced taste and little warmth, jalapeño for daring taste and warmth, or Serrano for stinging warmth. Including inexperienced chile to Tapatio 110 provides a textural element, lending a viscousness that’s pure to an undiluted tequila and enhanced with the waxy pores and skin of the chile so you are feeling it linger in your lips,” Prewitt suggests.
Don Julio Reposado or Añejo
A preferred and available tequila model in most markets, Don Julio claims a popularity as the primary “luxurious” tequila. Its clean, well-integrated flavors make it well-worth a barely increased price ticket, and these style profiles additionally make Don Julio’s Reposado and Añejo tequilas wonderful matches for a Paloma.
“The Paloma cocktail has been a favourite of mine in recent times, because it’s a little bit extra refreshing and fewer sugary than the bitter margarita different. I favor to make use of Don Julio Reposado or Añejo for his or her vanilla notes, which I discover complement the grapefruit and [make for] a pleasant substitute for the sugar you’d add [when using] a silver tequila,” explains head bartender Bradley Carnation of Scarpetta in New York Metropolis.
Don Julio Resposado
Don Julio Anejo
Altos Reposado
Like most aged liquors, Reposado delivers further ranges of richness and pleasing woodsy notes, which match properly with the brightness of grapefruit and lime. Bar supervisor Josue Gonzalez of Seven Reasons in Washington, D.C. significantly likes Altos Reposado, a tequila distilled and aged in Jalisco.
“My private favourite tequila for the Paloma cocktail is Altos Reposado, a tequila made within the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico and aged 6-8 months in previous whiskey barrels. A few years in the past, I had the chance to go to the distillery the place they produce this wonderful Mexican spirit. I even rode ATVs by the agave fields the place they harvest the agave for Altos tequila. It was a lovely sight and fairly an journey.
I consider that Palomas needs to be tart, dry, and refreshing all on the identical time. The dialog between Altos tequila and the wooden within the whiskey barrels permits the tequila to develop a mature but delicate sweetness with hints of vanilla and delicate citrus. The Paloma requires grapefruit juice, which is acidic, but additionally bitter. The added fruitiness that comes from growing older the tequila and the trace of vanilla enhances the bitterness of the grapefruit, making for extra spherical flavors,” Gonzalez tells The Handbook.
Tequila Cazadores Reposado
Aged in American oak barrels, Tequila Cazadores Reposado absolutely embraces the nuances of the wooden, leading to a well-integrated essence that blends mellow traits with a welcome tang. Common supervisor Samuel Willy of Westlight in Brooklyn, NY makes use of this spirit in his Palomas, stating that “to create the right Paloma, I like to recommend Tequila Cazadores. The liquid’s physique and citrus and vanilla notes each improve the flavour and spherical the perimeters of the cocktail on the identical time.”
Casamigos Reposado
Most well-known for its high-profile homeowners, George Clooney and Rande Gerber, Casamigos additionally occurs to provide world-class tequilas, comprised of Blue Weber agave harvested within the highlands of Jalisco. Their Reposado model ages for 7 months in wood barrels, which impart wealthy caramel notes and a clean, silky texture. For these causes, it’s a favourite Paloma ingredient for head bartender Casey Lyons of Pacific Hideaway in Huntington Seaside, CA, who says that “my go-to tequila for a Paloma is Casamigos Reposado. It’s a crowd-favorite tequila branded by the Silver Fox himself, Mr. Clooney. Its wealthy mouthfeel and spherical sweetness make it an ideal pair with contemporary pressed grapefruit juice. Convey some chili salt and Topo Chico for effervescence, and you can be the lifetime of the social gathering earlier than the primary spherical goes out.”
Greatest Mezcal for Paloma
If Reposado or Añejo tequilas aren’t fairly fulfilling your longing for a smoky, daring agave spirit in your Paloma, think about switching to mezcal. To make mezcal, distillers smoke the agave in underground pits, which give the drink its signature toasted taste and earthy undertones.
Doña Vega Mezcal Espadín (Miguel Espana Lopez)
Head bartender Miguel Garcia of La Contenta Oeste in New York Metropolis favors Doña Vega Mezcal Espadín in his Palomas, explaining that “I like utilizing Doña Vega Mezcal Espadín as a result of it offers the right quantity of smokiness and texture to this conventional cocktail. Palomas are a basic, however utilizing Doña Vega offers [them] a extra trendy twist, highlighting the wedding between smokiness and tartness.”
Prolijo Mezcal
As a result of grapefruit represents the dominant taste in a basic Paloma, you’re well-served by searching for out an agave spirit that blends harmoniously with this sharp citrus fruit. For bartender Javier Arroyo of Bar Sótano in Chicago, IL, that grapefruit-friendly liquor is Prolijo Mezcal.
“One of many highlights of mezcal is its smoky and green-vegetable flavors. Prolijo Mezcal tends to have this [smoke-infused], peppery taste that could be a excellent pairing for grapefruit — crucial ingredient within the Paloma!” Arroyo tells The Handbook.
Editors’ Suggestions
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