Black Flannel Academy

Paloma

Agave · Fresh agave · Grapefruit · Lime · Long & refreshing · Sour · Tequila
Paloma cocktail
Photo: © Erich Wagner (www.eventografie.de) · CC BY-SA 4.0. “Paloma Cocktail2.jpg”. Resized for display.

Grapefruit soda supplies both sweetness and bitterness around tequila, with lime and salt sharpening the profile.

IBA published specification · 1 reference serve.

Glassware

Highball

Technique

Build

Ice

Cubes

Garnish

a slice of lime

Preparation effort

Low

Ingredients & measurements

Ingredient mL US fl oz Source measure / qualification
100% Agave Tequila 50 1.69 50 ml 100% Agave Tequila
Fresh lime 5 0.17 5 ml Fresh lime
A pinch of Salt — — A pinch of Salt
Pink Grapefruit Soda 100 3.38 100 ml Pink Grapefruit Soda

Converted equivalents are rounded for display; use one measurement system consistently. Dashes, spoonfuls, fruit counts and unspecified top-ups remain source measures. A blank equivalent does not mean zero.

How to make it

Combine tequila, lime and salt. Add ice and grapefruit soda, then mix gently.

Glass: Highball. Ice: Cubes. Garnish: a slice of lime.

Flavor & balance

  • Sour (Acidic) (dominant): Citrus contributes the principal tart edge; fruit ripeness and juice yield affect balance.
  • Salty / Briny (supporting): Brine or savory seasoning contributes salt; strength varies substantially by product.
  • Earthy / Herbal (supporting): Botanicals, fresh herbs or the base spirit give aromatic plant character; this is not a basic taste.

Assess sweetness, bitterness and tactile drying separately. These flavor expectations are based on recipe structure, not measured tasting scores. Actual products, ice and dilution will change the result.

Preparation & batching

Service complexity: low. Batchability: spirit components only.

  • Measure and label the chosen product specification; chill appropriate glassware.
  • Prepare and measure fresh fruit components for the service plan; do not assume a fruit count guarantees a juice volume.

Add carbonated ingredients at service; do not shake or store the finished fizzy drink as a still batch. Workload is an editorial assessment; no labor timing or storage validation is claimed.

Spirit & ingredient choices

Style Role Evidence level Qualification
S003 — 100% Agave Blanco Tequila base qualified 100% agave is specified; blanco is the editorial reference choice, not a maturation requirement stated by this recipe.
S065 — 0 ABV Mixer mixer qualified Mixer role only; select a verified 0.0% product. The finished cocktail is not itself classified as this ingredient style.

Recipe notes & variations

For a Black Flannel variation, change one component at a time and record the selected product, proof, sweetener concentration and dilution. Compare it with this reference before naming or publishing the variation.

Compare: Grand Margarita, Margarita, Tommy’s Margarita.

Sources & further reading

  • International Bartenders Association — checked 2026-09-18. Recipe identity and published ingredient specification; editorial sensory and workload assessments are not source tasting results.

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