Roasted Grapefruit, Strawberry & Jalapeno Paloma

It’s my birthdaaaaaay and I’ll cry/party/drink a Roasted Grapefruit, Strawberry & Jalapeno Paloma if I want to. Or multiple, because these cocktails are just that good. Mmmkay?

If you’re wondering what the heck a Paloma is, it’s a tequila cocktail that’s super similar to a margarita. Which is ooobviously why I like them so much. A typical Paloma has grapefruit juice, some kind of sweetener, tequila, lime, and seltzer water. Tart yet semi-sweet, delicious and simple.

But for a birthday drink? I couldn’t give you guys a regular-old-paloma. No way. We’re getting allll fancy up in here today. Because isn’t that what you’re supposed to do on your birthday, at least sometimes? Let’s be clear, I am the farthest thing from one of those birthday b**ches who’s all “IT’S MY EFFING BIRTHDAY AND YOU BETTER DO WHAT I WANT/GET IN LINE”. For me, a good birthday is made with really good food, really good drinks, and even better company. And that’s all I really need. Mostly because I am one of the most awkward people ever at receiving presents, only next to my mom. Who is literally so awkward when receiving gifts that she made me, my brother, AND my dad so uncomfortable this christmas we joked around we would never get her anything again. Only half kidding. She always buys what she wants for herself ANYWAY.

So what’s in this fantasmicagical cocktail anyway? And yes, I totally just made up a new word combining fantastic, tastebud-gasmic, and magical. Because those are all the things you should think when you have this drink, that combines: grapefruit, broiled with a coconut sugar crust, muddled strawberries, lime juice, jalapeno, tequila, and smoked sea salt on the rim. Because do you really think I could resist doing a salted rim for a tequila cocktail? NOPE. Don’t even care if that’s not a traditional paloma. I love margaritas too much to let that one slide. Don’t like salt? You can leave it off, wierdos. but the applewood smoked sea salt flavor, combined with the sweetness of the grapefruit + strawberries and heat of the jalapeno is to diiie for.

Oh, and ten points for Gryffindor (or whatever house you’re in!) if you can spot the nerdiness in these pictures.

Roasted Grapefruit, Strawberry & Jalapeno Paloma

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

7 mins

Total time

17 mins

 

Dana: Real Food with Dana

Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 large red grapefruits, sliced in half
• 4 tsp coconut sugar
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• Juice from 2 limes
• 4-6 oz tequila (depending on how strong you want it!)*
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, sliced thin
• 8oz unflavored sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• smoked sea salt, for the rims

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to BROIL on high. Place the grapefruit halves on a small cookie sheet, then sprinkle 1 tsp of brown sugar on each half. Stick the cookie sheet in the oven and broil sugar is golden brown and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Allow the grapefruit to cool to the touch.
3. Meanwhile, muddle the sliced strawberries, lime juice and tequila together. When cooled, squeeze the grapefruit juice into the mixture. It’s okay if you get some pulp in there too.
4. Use the juiced lime wedges to grease the rims of your glasses. Pour about 2-3 Tbsp of the applewood sea salt in a wide, shallow bowl or plate, then salt the rims by rolling them around in the salt. Fill each glass about halfway with ice.
5. Pour the juice over the ice cubes, then put in a slice or two of the jalapenos. Fill each rim to the top with sparkling water.
6. Make it fancy: put an extra slice of strawberry, lime, jalapeno, and/or grapefruit on the rim, for serving.

Notes

*as far as tequila choices are, go for high quality. Blanco or silver (aka 100% agave) is best.
Shortcut tip: use fresh grapefruit juice instead of roasting the grapefruits. Add a little honey to taste.

3.5.3208

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