Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsThe ModernPaloma Recipe

Paloma Recipe

Inspired by The Modern
Time45m
Serves4

Tequila, Mezcal, Clarified Grapefruit, and Basil

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Cocktail

Method

Clarified Grapefruit

  1. 1

    Clarify the juice (make ahead, yields ~12 oz)

    Pour 12 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice into a large container. Whisk in 2 whole egg whites thoroughly until frothy. Let the mixture rest at room temperature for 20–30 minutes — the egg whites will bind solids and begin to coagulate. Place the container in the refrigerator for 2 hours (or up to overnight) to fully precipitate solids. Line a fine-mesh strainer with several layers of cheesecloth or a coffee filter over a pitcher. Slowly pour the juice/egg-white mixture through the cloth, allowing it to drip rather than forcing it. Discard the solids in the cloth. The liquid collected is clarified grapefruit juice: clear, bright, and less bitter. Keep chilled and use 3 oz per cocktail.

Cocktail Assembly

  1. 2

    Prepare glass (optional salted rim)

    If salting the rim, run a grapefruit wedge around the rim of a highball or Collins glass, then dip the rim into a shallow plate of salt to lightly coat. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.

  2. 3

    Muddle basil

    In a cocktail shaker, add 6 fresh basil leaves and 0.5 oz agave syrup. Gently muddle the leaves just enough to release bright aromatic oils — avoid pulverizing to prevent bitterness.

  3. 4

    Combine spirits and citrus

    To the shaker add 2 oz blanco tequila, 0.5 oz reposado tequila (if using), 0.5 oz mezcal, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice and 3 oz clarified grapefruit juice. Add a handful of ice (about 1 cup) to chill and dilute appropriately.

  4. 5

    Shake and strain

    Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold. Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into the prepared ice-filled glass to catch basil bits and small ice shards.

  5. 6

    Finish and garnish

    Top with 1.5 oz club soda if you prefer a lighter, fizzy Paloma (optional). Gently slap a basil sprig between your palms to activate its aroma and place it in the glass as a garnish along with a grapefruit twist. Serve immediately.

More from The Modern