Paloma Cocktail Bar: 5 Tips To Set Up This Mixology Station At A Summer Brunch
Crafted especially during summer and known for its fruity, tangy and acidic flavours, the paloma is an excellent drink for serving at a brunch hosted during this season. A classic paloma can be prepared by bringing together 30 ml Don Julio Blanco Tequila or any other premium tequila of choice with 60 ml grapefruit juice and 15 ml lime juice. The drink is topped off with about 20 ml grapefruit soda or tonic water to give it a sparkly quality. Sometimes, about 10 ml agave syrup is also added to the blend for a touch of sweetness.
A separate cocktail station can be curated at a summertime gathering which serves this chilled drink to guests at brunch hour paired with Mexican-themed sweet and savoury dishes. The drink is complete with tangy and sour notes and gives off bright reddish, yellowish and pinkish hues, making it an interesting offering at a summer event.
Read on below for some handy tips and hacks that can be put to use for setting up a paloma cocktail station at home while hosting a summertime brunch gathering:
Choose Seasonal Mixers And Juices
One of the more useful tips for curating a summertime paloma station is opting for mixers and juices that are available fresh during this season. While a paloma is traditionally crafted using grapefruit juice and freshly squeezed lime juice, also keep a blood orange juice or a tangy pomegranate juice on hand as a fruity variation to the classic recipe. Incorporating seasonal ingredients will make the paloma bar feel more summer-like and it will also fit into the theme of the seasonal brunch gathering.
Offer Tequila Variations
Palomas are many times crafted using 30 ml good quality tequila blanco. However, other tequila variations such as the reposado also work as suitable alternatives because they imbue more rounded and full-bodied flavours into the drink. Tequila reposado is aged for longer than blanco, which gives any cocktail to which it is added more depth and flavour complexity. On the other hand, a paloma crafted using blanco will have a crisper finish because of the tequila’s fruitier composition. Along with tequila, also keep mezcal at hand for guests who prefer a smokier touch in their palomas.
Themed Brunch Menu
Paloma’s versatile flavour profile and fruity notes make it an excellent cocktail for pairing with a number of diverse dishes so much so that it can make meal planning a tad overwhelming. While crafting a summertime paloma station for brunch, a useful hack is to settle on a theme or a cuisine that will give the meal a good culinary direction. Go for a Mexican-themed menu complete with eggs and chorizos filled breakfast tacos or plates of huevos rancheros complete with fried eggs and queso fresco. Another alternative is to lay out a spread of salads like a grapefruit and mint mix coupled with savoury waffles, breakfast burritos and empanadas.
Separate Garnishing Booth
Bring a summer flair into the paloma cocktail station by setting up a separate garnishing booth. One pro tip is to turn garnishing into a DIY activity to make the brunch feel more participatory. Keep on hand garnishes like lime and grapefruit wedges, fresh mint and thyme sprigs as well as chopped up jalapeños so guests can top their drinks off with the adornments that best suit their flavour preferences. Ensure that all these ingredients are summer-friendly so the garnishes too boast of a seasonal touch.
Chilled Glassware And Ice
One of the more useful hacks to make a cocktail station at brunch a successful set-up is to serve drinks in chilled glassware. This will make sure that the cocktail stays chilled for longer in summer weather. Go for medium to large-sized ice cubes and even aesthetic ices infused with herbs and grapefruit chunks to reduce the dilution rate, while keeping the drink cool all along.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
