Non-Alcoholic Spicy Paloma Tequila Mocktail
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There are now lots of non-alcoholic tequilas on the market that make it easy to get your margarita or paloma fix, without the hangover. One of the best southwestern drinks is a spicy paloma - salty, juicy and smoky. Here is a non-alcoholic Paloma mocktail that will have you asking for uno, dos, tres, cuatro!
What is non-alcoholic tequila?
Non-alcoholic tequila is a 0.5% ABV (or less) spirit. It’s legally considered non-alcoholic, but not alcohol-free unless specifically labelled as alcohol-free. There are various ways to create a non-alcoholic spirit but it is usually a combination of distillation and maceration. Small quantities of alcohol are involved in the production process, but controlled and removed before the final product is bottled.
What should I be looking for in a non-alcoholic tequila?
Agave flavour is the trademark of tequila. It’s what sets this spirit apart from all the rest, so it’s important that your n/a version has a recognizable agave flavour.
Smokiness is also key. In the process of making tequila, the heart of an agave is harvested from the plant and roasted in underground ovens over hot rocks. Roasting the heart in this manner gives the spirit that deep, smoky flavor that makes mezcal so distinctive.
Heat or ‘spiciness’ is hard to get right. The heat in tequila usually comes from alcohol, so replicating the gentle but very specific burn of the real thing is tough. Most brands add their own level of heat using natural ways to replicate alcohol.
Which non-alcoholic tequila should I use?
The two options that we like in this recipe is Free Spirits Spirit of Tequila because of it’s reposado style, and the ISH Mexican Agave Spirit which has a really nice smokiness that pairs really well with the grapefruit and jalapeno.
Preparation
There are two ways to make this drink - depending on how fancy you are. Palomas are actually more common in Mexico than margaritas because of how easy they are to make.
Stirred - this is how it’s usually made in bars, especially if it’s not a spicy Paloma. In Mexico, restaurants will often have tequila and grapefruit soda on the table so you don’t even have to wait for your drink. For this recipe, just add the first four ingredients to a glass, stir to combine, add ice and then top with grapefruit soda.
Shaken - shaking the jalapeno brine, tequila, salt and lime juice really helps to integrate it; you don’t have to use a lot of ice otherwise it will water it down. After shaking to integrate, strain into a tumbler with ice and then top with Ting grapefruit soda.
**According to Bon Appetit, Ting sparkling grapefruit soda from Jamaica is the best one, and we concur. It’s dynamite in a zero-proof cocktail like a paloma. We are sort of picky with this mixer because it does make a difference.
Ingredients:
4 oz Ish Mexican Agave Style Zero Proof Tequila
Juice from a whole lime (or less, to taste) plus two lime wedges
2 tbsp Jalapeno brine (chilled)
A generous pinch of sea salt
3/4 cup Ting Sparkling Grapefruit (chilled)
Preparation
Add the ISH tequila, lime juice, salt and jalapeno brine to a shaker with ice
Shake for 5-10 seconds to chill.
Strain into a festive glass with ice and top with sparkling grapefruit soda.
Garnish with a lime wedge
Cheers & enjoy!
Non-alcoholic Spicy Paloma Mocktail
Ingredients
- 4 oz ISH Mexican Agave Style Zero Proof Tequila
- Juice from a whole lime
- 2 tbsp Jalapeno brine
- A generous twist of sea salt
- 3/4 cup Ting Sparkling Grapefruit (chilled)
Instructions
- Add the ISH tequila, lime juice, salt and jalapeno brine to a shaker with ice
- Shake for 5 - 10 seconds to integrate
- Strain into a tumbler with ice
- Top with sparkling grapefruit soda
- Garnish with a lime wedge
