If you’re tired of the same old cocktails and want something that dances on the edge of tradition with a bold herbal twist, meet your new favorite: The Smoky Sage Paloma. This drink is a refreshing yet complex blend of citrus, smoke, and savory sage—perfect for impressing guests or elevating your solo happy hour.
🍹 Ingredients:
- 2 oz mezcal (for that signature smoky flavor)
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz sage simple syrup (see below)
- Sparkling water (to top off)
- Pinch of sea salt
- Fresh sage leaves (for garnish)
- Optional: Grapefruit wedge or dehydrated citrus wheel
🌿 Sage Simple Syrup (makes enough for several drinks):
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 6–8 fresh sage leaves
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Add sage leaves and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and cool. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
🧪 How to Make the Smoky Sage Paloma:
- Rim your glass with a touch of sea salt for a savory kick.
- In a shaker, combine mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sage syrup. Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water to your desired fizz level.
- Garnish with a fresh sage leaf and a grapefruit wedge or citrus wheel.
✨ Why It Works:
The mezcal brings a smoky depth that pairs beautifully with the bright acidity of grapefruit and lime. The sage syrup adds a subtle earthy sweetness that makes this drink feel like a walk through a citrus grove at sunset. It’s unexpected, aromatic, and totally unforgettable.
🥂 Perfect For:
- Fall gatherings
- Cocktail experimentation nights
- Mezcal lovers looking for something new
- Anyone who wants to impress with a drink that’s not on every bar menu