This has been a very weird week for me.

I am not a cocktail maker.  I am not even much of a cocktail drinker, unless I am out at a bar that obviously doesn’t have an interesting wine list.  And even then, I hardly ever order those funky specialty cocktails.  Well, unless it is a bar known for their specialty cocktails…

You get the point.  I don’t usually drink cocktails.  I’m a wine drinker.

But with the crazy heat wave that overcame Los Angeles this weekend, I wanted something cold and fruity and refreshing.  So cocktails it was!  If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that I was hanging out with my friends who also like cocktails, and there wasn’t a vodka soda in sight.  No, no, no.  We did the heatwave cocktails up right.

So today, in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I’d share a classic Mexican cocktail (other than the margarita!) with you.  Something that doesn’t require a whole lot of limes, since they are so darn expensive right now.  Something that helped me use up the rest of my leftover grapefruit juice.

A Pink Peppercorn Paloma!

The “Paloma” – meaning dove in Spanish – I can only assume got it’s name from being a majestic flash of relief from the heat.  The Paloma is actually the national drink of Mexico, not the Margarita, so whip up a few of these tonight and impress your friends!

Ha.

The Paloma is traditionally made with grapefruit soda, a squeeze of lime, and plenty of tequila blanco.  My version is a little different, mostly because I really wanted to use fresh juice, and because… well why not put your own spin on it?

Also, a bar I worked at used to shake pink peppercorns in with their Paloma, and I just thought it was the prettiest way to garnish a drink.  Pink peppercorns are sweet, not spicy, so never fear if you aren’t a fan of the heat.

Although that might be another fun way to spice up this cocktail…

Next year!

Just looks someone tossed confetti in a glass, no?

Cheers!

xoxo

Pink Peppercorn Paloma

1.5 oz Tequila Blanco (silver)
1.5 oz Grapefruit Juice
1/8 tsp. Agave Nectar
1/2 oz lime juice
8 pink peppercorns
1/2 club soda (or ginger beer or sprite)

Shake first five ingredients together over ice.  Strain into a martini glass and top with soda.  Ole!