A classic Paloma pairs tequila with grapefruit, but this version from Vancouver cocktail bar Meo takes a different approach. The bar swaps tequila for raicilla, an agave spirit with flavours that can range from fruity and floral to herbal and funky.

Meo also makes its grapefruit soda in-house, infusing it with botanicals including chamomile, rooibos and citrus. The recipe makes one litre, so there’s plenty for another round.

Raicilla Paloma Cocktail on bar at Meo Chinatown

Meo’s Raicilla Paloma With Grapefruit Soda

This Paloma from Vancouver cocktail bar Meo pairs raicilla with a house-made grapefruit soda infused with chamomile, rooibos, citrus and other botanicals.

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Ingredients

Homemade Grapefruit Soda

5 g chamomile flowers
5 g coconut chunks
5 g rooibos
5 g dried apple skin
5 g dried berry leaves
peel of 2 limes and 1 grapefruit
500 g sugar
16 g citric acid
10 g malic acid
500 mL water
pinch salt

Cocktail

ice
1⅔ oz La Venenosa Raicilla Sierra Occidental de Jalisco
Grapefruit Soda

Instructions

Homemade Grapefruit Soda

Combine all ingredients and sous vide for 3 hours at 63℃.
Let mixture cool, then mix with water at a 1:5 ratio. Let mixture rest in fridge for 24 hours.
Force carbonate or use a SodaStream to add fizz.

Cocktail

In Collins glass filled with ice, add La Venenosa Raicilla and top with Grapefruit Soda.

Keyword grapefruit paloma, grapefruit soda, paloma, paloma with raicilla, raicilla cocktail, tequila

ELLE Gourmet Tips

What is raicilla?: Raicilla is an agave spirit from Jalisco, Mexico. Unlike tequila, which is made from Blue Weber agave, raicilla can be produced from several agave varieties. Its flavour can range from fruity and floral to herbal and earthy.
Can you make a Paloma with raicilla?: Yes. While a classic Paloma is made with tequila and grapefruit, raicilla can be used in its place for a more complex agave flavour. This version from Meo pairs it with a homemade botanical grapefruit soda.