Paloma

Please remember Don't drink and Drive!

The Paloma—often made with store bought grapefruit soda—is Mexicos most popular cocktail. This fancified version uses grilled fresh grapefruit and grilled lime to give the drink a slightly smoky edge.

YIELD: Makes 2 drinks

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium to large yellow or pink grapefruit, halved
• 2 limes, halved
• Kosher salt or coarse sea salt, for the glass
• Ice
• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) tequila
• 1 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup (see Note)
• 2 ounces club soda

PREPARATION

Light a grill and arrange it for direct heat or preheat a grill pan. Grill the grapefruit and the limes over high heat until well browned on the bottoms, 4 to 5 minutes. Let cool slightly. 

Arrange some salt on a small plate. Moisten the rims of 2 high ball glasses and coat with salt. 

For each cocktail: Fill a shaker with ice and add 2 ounces of squeezed grapefruit juice, 1 ounce of squeezed lime juice, 2 ounces tequila and ½ ounce agave nectar. Close the shaker and shake well. Fill one of the prepared glasses with ice and strain the drink into the glasses. Top with 1 ounce of club soda and serve. Fill the shaker with clean ice to make the second cocktail. 

note:To make simple syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water over moderately high heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool slightly. Measure out 1/2 cup for this recipe and reserve the rest for another use.

Recipe from epicourious!