Every cocktail or mocktail pairs perfectly with a certain time of year. Obviously, whiskey drinks tend to lend themselves to the darker and colder months, whereas something like gin drinks pair better with the spring and summer.
Enter the Paloma, a bright and vibrant tequila-based cocktail hailing from Latin America. Whether you’re enjoying this drink in the sun on the beach or sipping on it after hours, this drink lends itself to those who appreciate the finer things in life.
But what about something for those who want to enjoy the fruity and citrus flavors of this vibrant treat, but don’t want to consume as much of the alcohol that comes with it?
Enter Ritual Zero Proof. Every single one of our products is specially made using premium botanical ingredients to yield non-alcoholic spirits that taste, smell, and feel like their original counterparts. Each of our spirit replacements is made with zero alcohol and can be enjoyed either by themselves, in a mocktail (such as our virgin Paloma recipe), or as an accompanying ingredient to make a weaker cocktail.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to make an all-star Mexican Mocktail like our Non-alcoholic Paloma, why some people might choose to drink a virgin Paloma, and some scenarios that would pair perfectly with this healthy Paloma recipe.
How to make a Non-Alcoholic Paloma
It’s arguably the most popular cocktail in Mexico, and for good reason. Mexico is also the Paloma drink origin location! Bright, fresh, and simple, the Paloma transitions seamlessly from day to night. Yes, Squirt and Fresca both work for grapefruit soda, but we go with the classic Jarritos whenever it’s available. Serve in a Collins glass, or whatever you have on hand.
2 oz. Ritual Tequila Alternative
1 oz. lime juice
2 oz. grapefruit juice
1/4 oz. agave nectar or simple syrup
Top with soda
Garnish: lime
Pour Ritual tequila alternative and lime juice into a glass with ice. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with lime. While there may still be some sugar in the juice/mixers, this is still a great option for a relatively healthy Paloma recipe!
Why would someone want to drink a Paloma mocktail?
There are some great reasons why someone might want to drink an alcohol-free Paloma.
For starters, tequila-based drinks are notorious for inducing some mind-bending hangovers. Part of this has to do with the quality of the tequila being used, and any sugars associated with juices, sweeteners, or mixers. While a mocktail Paloma might still have some of those sugars, the lack of tequila (or at least the reduced quantity) means you’re all but guaranteed to wake up hangover-free after drinking these all day or night (note, using our Ritual Tequila Alternative in combination with regular tequila may still leave you with some of the lingering side effects of alcohol). Speaking of waking up, drinking alcohol in any quantity is all but guaranteed to have a negative impact on your sleep quality later that night. By drinking less alcohol (like a non-alcoholic Paloma), you’ll wake up feeling better than you otherwise might have, and will have more energy for things like your workout of the day!
Even if hangovers aren’t your primary concern, there are some great reasons to savor the flavors of Mexican mocktails like the virgin Paloma. By using our virgin Paloma recipe, you’ll consume significantly fewer calories than you would if you were drinking regular tequila. Besides that, less alcohol means fewer bad choices like drunk food or worse. After all, you don’t need to worry about a sober ride home if you never became intoxicated in the first place!
There are also more personal reasons for choosing to drink something like a mocktail Paloma. Many people choose not to drink for personal or religious reasons, and plenty of people don’t enjoy the way alcohol makes them feel. There are also plenty of couples trying to start a family, who don’t want to risk mom drinking alcohol while trying to conceive a child. Making an alcohol-free Paloma allows everyone to enjoy a delicious treat without worrying about any of the ethical consequences or concerns associated with drinking.
Of course, you can always enjoy our virgin Paloma recipe to either make a weaker cocktail with regular tequila, or you can enjoy this non-alcoholic Paloma in between other alcoholic drinks to make sure you don’t drink too much!
Ideal settings for Paloma mocktails
Whether you’re sitting on a beach in Mexico or relaxing in a pool in your home state, it’s hard to imagine this alcohol-free Paloma anywhere other than in a warm climate or time of year (though it can certainly be enjoyed year-round, we won’t judge)!
You can enjoy Mexican drinks without alcohol over meals or appetizers. Salty drinks (non-alcoholic) like our Paloma mocktail pair perfectly with chips and salsa, queso, or guacamole, and add a bright fruity flavor to heavier meals like fajitas or enchiladas. Of course, if you’re on vacation, we wouldn’t blame you for enjoying our virgin Paloma recipe with a breakfast burrito. After all, is it really day drinking if there isn’t any booze?
Our healthy Paloma recipe can also work perfectly for a pregame before a big night on the town with your friends, especially in the summer. The citrus and grapefruit in this Mexican mocktail can taste great at the end of a long, hot summer day, and can help you mentally transition from day to night.
Whatever your reason for wanting to try this healthy virgin Paloma recipe, rest assured that this drink is and always will be a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and simple to put together. There are also plenty of different ways for you to change up this Paloma mocktail and make it your own!
