Houston Sunset Paloma
A vibrant Paloma cocktail with fresh grapefruit and a hint of smoky mezcal, capturing the essence of a Houston sunset. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks 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 180 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
- 1.5 oz Mezcal
- 1.5 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 oz Fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz Agave syrup
- 2 oz Club soda
- for rimming Salt
- 1 Grapefruit wedge
- as needed Ice cubes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rim a highball glass with salt by moistening the rim with a grapefruit wedge and dipping it into coarse salt.
- Step 2: Fill the glass with ice cubes to the top.
- Step 3: In a shaker filled halfway with ice, pour 1.5 oz mezcal, 1.5 oz fresh grapefruit juice, 1/2 oz fresh lime juice, and 1/2 oz agave syrup.
- Step 4: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until chilled.
- Step 5: Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.
- Step 6: Top with 2 oz club soda and stir gently for 10 seconds.
- Step 7: Garnish by placing a grapefruit wedge on the rim, slightly squeezing it over the drink before setting.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Houston Sunset 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 Sunset Paloma?
Refrigerate any leftover houston sunset 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 Sunset 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 Sunset 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 Sunset 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.
