sage and ginger paloma
FALL Y’ALL.
Autumn cocktail season gets me hyped. The fruity and bright drinks of summer certainly have a special fun element, but I get down with cozy. Makes me think of huddling under blankets with a warm sip as the temp drops to, oh, 50 degrees in the evening.
That doesn’t make it sound as fun as it is, but even though we don’t get a full-on seasonal shift, I can’t help but channel the energy of those who do watch leaves turn and temperatures drop. I’m just as much as pumpkin candle bum as many.
This little drink is a great way to shuffle slowly from summer to autumn. Palomas are light and citrusy, lime and grapefruit mingling with spunky tequila, but instead of agave we throw in a sage-infused honey that lends a subtle but woodsy tinge that won’t overpower. Unmistakably, though, something is different about this paloma, and it’s best enjoyed on a crisped evening, or when rain drifts down outside.
A Sage Choice
The infused honey takes a little prep, but not much. All you need is to simmer honey and some water, then move the syrup off the heat, toss in a bunch of sage leaves and a cinnamon stick, and steep. 10 minutes is a good rule of thumb, but if you have longer, go for it.
I like the light sage taste in my drink, so the honey is enough, but you can muddle an extra leaf or two in a shaker if you’d like. Otherwise, just stir or shake together some lime juice, grapefruit juice, the sage honey, and tequila. Pour it over ice and top with a splash of ginger beer. Then, enjoy!
The sage honey recipe will make more than you need for one drink: I’d say two to three depending on how sweet you want your palomas. You can use any leftovers, too, in various salad dressings or even in your tea. Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend with some sage honey? So good. Give it a go sometime.
Tried this recipe out? Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
sage and ginger paloma
Ingredients
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 2-3 tbsp sage honey, or to taste (recipe below)
- 2 oz grapefruit juice
- 2 oz tequila
- ginger beer, to top
cinnamon sage honey
- 1/4 cup honey
- 6-8 fresh sage leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the honey dissolves. Add the sage leaves and cinnamon. Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes. Discard the solids.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the lime juice, grapefruit juice, sage honey, and tequila. Add ice and shake or stir until cold. Pour into a cocktail glass and top with a splash of ginger beer. Garnish with fresh sage leaves and a cinnamon stick, as desired.
