Spicy Paloma Cocktail Recipe with Jalapeño Simple Syrup

Ring in the New Year with this spicy Paloma cocktail recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a subtle punch of heat.

A fancy cocktail on New Year’s Eve is a must… and these do not disappoint. They require a couple extra steps that you’d only expect from the best bartenders… but trust me, they’re worth it! Are you entertaining? You should whip up my Loaded Mashed Potato Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers and Cream Cheese Layered Taco Dip for some apps! If you’re looking for a main dish, give these Queso Stuffed Beef Barbacoa Tacos a whirl!

HOW TO MAKE SPICY PALOMA COCKTAILS:

My Sweet and Spicy Simple Syrup is the key to making this elixir taste like it’s straight from the swankiest cocktail bar. The roasted grapefruit and salt rim garnishes are optional, but highly recommended (ensuring your drink looks just as lovely as it tastes)!

INGREDIENTS:

Sweet Heat Jalapeños
Brown Sugar
Water
Lime Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Silver Tequila
Grapefruit Soda Water
Kosher Salt Rim, as needed
Roasted or Fresh Grapefruit Slices

DIRECTIONS:

MAKE THE SWEET & SPICY JALAPEÑO SYRUP: Add the jalapenos, brown sugar, and water to a saucepot over medium heat. Stir and bring to a boil. Once the sugar has melted, turn off the heat and set the saucepot on a different burner. Allow the jalapenos to steep for 10 minutes and then strain the syrup into a separate jar or container. Discard the jalapenos. Allow the syrup to cool completely before adding to cocktails.
RIM THE COCKTAIL GLASSES: Grab a wedge of grapefruit to moisten the rim and then dip the top of the glass onto a plate of kosher salt. Add as much or as little salt as you prefer.
SHAKE UP THE SPICY PALOMA: Fill a large cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add the sweet & spicy jalapeno syrup, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and tequila to the shaker. Shake to cool down. Pour your desired amount of ice into the rimmed cocktail glasses and divide evenly with the cocktail mixture. Add a splash of the grapefruit soda water and top with your desired garnishes. Enjoy immediately.

OTHER COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

The Perfect Boulevardier Recipe

How to Make a Sparkling Lemon Drop Martini

Blackberry Whiskey Smash

The Most Refreshing Strawberry Margarita

Spicy Paloma Cocktail Recipe with Jalapeño Simple Syrup

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

15 mins

Ring in the New Year with this spicy Paloma cocktail recipe. It's the perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a subtle punch of heat!

Serves: 2

Ingredients

FOR THE SWEET & SPICY JALAPENO SYRUP:

10 Mt. Olive Sweet Heat Jalapeños
½ cup Brown Sugar
1 cup Water

FOR THE SPICY PALOMA:

2 oz. Sweet & Spicy Jalapeno Syrup
1 oz. Lime Juice
6 oz. Grapefruit Juice
4 oz. Silver Tequila
Splash of Grapefruit Soda Water

OPTIONAL GARNISHES:

Kosher Salt Rim, as needed
2 Roasted or Fresh Grapefruit Slices, one per glass
4 – 6 Sweet & Spicy Jalapenos, 2 – 3 per glass

Instructions

MAKE THE SWEET & SPICY JALAPENO SYRUP: Add the jalapenos, brown sugar and water to a saucepot over medium heat. Stir and bring to a boil. Once the sugar has melted, turn off the heat and set the saucepot on a different burner. Allow the jalapenos to steep for 10 minutes and then strain the syrup into a separate jar or container. Discard the jalapenos. Allow the syrup to cool completely before adding to cocktails.
RIM THE COCKTAIL GLASSES: Grab a wedge of grapefruit to moisten the rim and then dip the top of the glass onto a plate of kosher salt. Add as much or as little salt as you prefer.
SHAKE UP THE SPICY PALOMA: Fill a large cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add the sweet & spicy jalapeno syrup, lime juice, grapefruit juice and tequila to the shaker. Shake to cool down. Pour your desired amount of ice into the rimmed cocktail glasses and divide evenly with the cocktail mixture. Add a splash of the grapefruit soda water and top with your desired garnishes. Enjoy immediately.

NOTES ON THIS RECIPE:

I suggest using fresh grapefruits and limes, whenever possible. This is not a deal-breaker, but it certainly enhances the citrus flavors verses bottled juices.
How do you roast the grapefruit slices? Preheat your oven to 425F. Place the grapefruit slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and top each slice with a sprinkle of brown sugar. Roast until charred in spots, about 15 minutes. Allow the slices to fully cool before using.
Silver tequila is ideal. However, if you can’t find any I suggest Tequila Resposado as your next option.

This post is sponsored by Mt. Olive. Per the usual, all opinions here are mine alone and I would never recommend an ingredient that I did not immensely enjoy myself. Thank you for supporting the brands that support SliceOfJess.com!