Houston Smokehouse Paloma
A smoky twist on the classic Paloma cocktail, incorporating hints of barbecue smoke and fresh grapefruit for a vibrant Texas-inspired drink. This recipe, ready in about 6 minutes, brings together mezcal, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz mezcal
- 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz agave syrup
- 2 oz club soda
- for rimming coarse salt
- 1 wedge grapefruit wedge
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rub the rim of a rocks glass with a grapefruit wedge and dip it into coarse salt to coat evenly.
- Step 2: Fill the glass with large clear ice cubes and set aside.
- Step 3: In a shaker, combine 2 oz mezcal, 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice, 0.5 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz agave syrup.
- Step 4: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 12 seconds until chilled.
- Step 5: Strain the cocktail into the prepared rocks glass over the ice.
- Step 6: Top with 2 oz club soda and stir gently with a bar spoon to integrate.
- Step 7: Garnish by placing the reserved grapefruit wedge on the rim of the glass.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Houston Smokehouse Paloma take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Houston Smokehouse Paloma?
Refrigerate any leftover houston smokehouse paloma in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Houston Smokehouse Paloma?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Houston Smokehouse Paloma for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Houston Smokehouse Paloma?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
