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Cocktail History
The Salted Sage Paloma is a modern cocktail that was originally created by Jake of the Instagram account Little Cantina. It uses the classic Paloma‘s template of tequila, grapefruit, and lime but adds a unique homemade salted sage syrup for more complexity, savoriness, and herbal flavor.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Tequila Blanco: This is a spirit made with unaged agave and water. We used El Jimador Tequila Silver because it has a light and palatable agave flavor with notes of grapefruit and apple. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila.
Grapefruit Juice: This is the liquid juice of a grapefruit. We used freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Salted Sage Syrup: This is a sweetener made with sage leaves, sea salt, white sugar, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Soda Water: This is a type of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. We used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water because it’s light, essentially flavorless, and refreshing.
Sage Leaves: This an evergreen herb. We used fresh sage leaves.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The Salted Sage Paloma features the aromas of fresh sage and grapefruit and the initial taste of tangy grapefruit and lime that is rounded out by savory salt before notes of herbal sage, agave, and citrus come through in the aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both thought that this mix of flavors made it dangerously delicious to both of our palates. The Salted Sage Paloma would be the perfect pick for taco nights and will definitely be added to our go-to list of cocktails.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This recipe, while very similar to the classic Paloma, is much better thanks to its inclusion of salted sage syrup and the sharpness of classic club soda. The fresh sage aromas and the taste throughout complement the tequila perfectly, and the dissolved salt negates the need for an overly-salty lick of the rim. I really, really enjoyed this version and highly recommend making the syrup even though it’s a bit more a hassle so you can experience it for yourself.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you already love the classic Paloma, you need to try this version. I can just about guarantee it will blow you away how much better the template can be when salty, herbal notes are added to the mix in the form of a syrup. I absolutely love the Salted Sage Paloma; it’s my go-to version whenever I’m in the mood for one of these now and have yet to find another variation that I like more.”
Recipe
Add tequila, grapefruit juice, salted sage syrup, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh cubed ice.
Top with soda water.
Stir gently for 3-5 seconds.
Garnish with sage leaves.
Ingredients
Directions
Add tequila, grapefruit juice, salted sage syrup, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh cubed ice.
Top with soda water.
Stir gently for 3-5 seconds.
Garnish with sage leaves.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Agave Blanco Spirit in place of the tequila to try a booze-free version of this drink.
Shop Glassware & Tools
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More Tequila Cocktails
If you like this tequila-based cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Mocha Spiked Horchata: A tequila cocktail made with horchata, cold-brew coffee, chocolate bitters, and ground cinnamon
Privateer (Variation): A tequila cocktail made with passion fruit syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, smoke and salt bitters, rosemary, and Tajín
Wild Rose: A tequila and dry sparkling wine cocktail made with pineapple gum syrup, maraschino liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters, and a orange twist
Mexican Firing Squad: A pineapple jalapeño tequila cocktail made with lime juice, grenadine, Angostura aromatic bitters, and a lime wedge
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