I decided to try my hand at making a cocktail for my Summer Cocktail Series and what I came up with is my take on the Paloma. The Paloma is a popular Mexican drink usually made with tequila and grapefruit soda.  I often make it using Izze Sparkling Grapefruit Juice, but this time I made it a little differently and added a twist…some muddled basil. Yum!

Basil & Pink Grapefruit Paloma

1 basil leaf
2 ounces of blanco tequila
3 ounces of pink grapefruit juice (fresh or bottled, just make sure to use 100% juice)
3 ounces of sparkling lime water (I used Trader Joe’s)
fresh lime
salt to rim the glass (optional)

1. Rim a tall glass with salt if you like.
2. Muddle one basil leaf in the bottom of the glass.
3. Add ice
4. Pour in the tequila and add a squirt of lime juice.
5. Top off with the grapefruit juice and then the sparkling lime water.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge.

It’s pretty good without the tequila if you want to have a refreshing citrusy non-alcoholic drink as well. Enjoy!