It seems to be a common trait for famous cocktails like the paloma to have no definitive origin. But for a drink heavy in tequila, maybe it’s not surprising. Even though we don’t know who created it, we know that now it’s the most popular tequila-based drink in Mexico.

The paloma has the sweetness of agave, the sour of grapefruit juice, tequila’s bitterness, and the salt that coats the rim. It’s incredibly balanced in that regard, but what if you want the experience of this famous drink without the alcohol? If that’s the case, then Seir Hill is here with Durangold™, our alcohol-free tequila alternative. 

Durangold™ has the taste of tequila in all its complexity, with notes of agave and lemon peel. But it has none of the intoxication, as well as no calories, gluten, or allergens. With it, you can make a non-alcoholic paloma that has a place with breakfast and at the end of the day.

Ingredients for a Paloma Mocktail:

• 2 ounces Durangold™
• 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces sparkling water
• ½ ounce lime juice
• ¼ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
• Coarse sea salt (for rim)
• Grapefruit wedges (for rim and garnish)

How to Make a Virgin Durangold™ Paloma

A non-alcoholic paloma is an easy job for home bartenders of any skill level. You start by rubbing a wedge of grapefruit around the rim of a glass and dipping it in salt. Then, once it’s salt-dipped and fruited, put it aside for the time being. 

Next, you mix the rest of the ingredients into the glass and fill the rest of the space with glass. You can adjust the sweetness to taste, and once you’re finished, you can garnish your drink with a grapefruit wedge to make something picture perfect!

Paloma Mocktail Variations 

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic cocktail recipe that’ll allow you to stretch your skills as a mixologist, a Durangold™ paloma is the drink for you to try. You can implement more simple twists, like substituting the sparkling water for ginger beer or grapefruit soda to further enhance the citrus taste. But maybe you can take the opportunity to be a little more wild. 

You could try muddling 1 ½ cups of fresh strawberries for your shaker, which will create a rosy, sweet paloma still fresh with notes of grapefruit. Or you can do what many drinks do with tequila and add an element of spice. If you’ve made simple syrup before, you’ll know that making a sweet and spicy syrup is as easy as mixing sugar, water, and a halved jalapeno over heat. 

Durangold™ is an non-alcoholic alternative spirit for anyone looking for the fun of a cocktail without the burden of intoxication. With the help of Seir Hill, we’ve taken a happy hour and stretched it all day long. So if you want a tequila alternative to brighten your day, consider mixing yourself a virgin Durangold™ paloma. You’ll find it’s a guilt-free way to celebrate the everyday and make it sparkle.