Salted Sage Paloma | An Easy & Unique Cocktail Recipe With A Delicious Alcohol-Free Option

This Salted Sage Paloma was originally created as a no-ABV drink by Nanda Kampmark of Slow Mixology. She made it as a mocktail recipe and I enjoyed it as such, but it’s delicious with tequila, too. If you’re looking for a refreshing drink that’s not too sweet, this is the one for you.

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I originally saw this recipe on my friend Jake’s Instagram page. A long time ago. And I’ve thought about it several times since then and finally got around to making it. Now I’m just kicking myself for waiting so dang long.

I think part of the reason I waited is that if I’m honest, the thought of salt in a cocktail–and not just around the rim of one– freaked me out. I’ve long seen a pinch of salt or # drops of saline as ingredients in fancy craft cocktails. And I knooowww that a smidgeon of salt really just enhances existing flavors instead of overruling them with saltiness. But I was still afraid. And if that’s you, too, I’m here to say Don’t worry, I promise you won’t feel like you’re licking a block of salt when you drink this recipe.

The salt in the sage syrup is actually the perfect complement to the earthy sage and the bitter grapefruit. Ugh. Really, why didn’t I embrace this sooner? Now I wanna go around sprinkling sea salt in all my syrups.

Using herb simple syrups brings a lot of complexity to mocktails– you won’t miss the alcohol! This recipe is pretty similar to my Grapefruit Rosemary Spritzer. Be sure to check that one out, too, if you’re down for mocktails that don’t only taste like juice. If you’re a big fan of sage, be sure to check out my Avendesora and Autumm in Tuscany recipes, too.

How to Make Salted Sage Simple Syrup

To make the salted sage simple syrup, add 3 tablespoons of water, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of sea salt, and a handful of sage leaves to a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool. Remove the sage leaves. Store in an airtight container (these are perfect for small batch simple syrups) and place in the fridge until ready to use.

Ingredients for a Salted Sage Paloma (with Alcohol-Free Option)

• 1 1/2 oz tequila reposado (omit for a 100% amazing mocktail)
• 1/2 oz salted sage syrup*
• 2 oz freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice
• 1/2 oz freshly-squeezed lime juice
• 1+ oz soda water

How to Make a Salted Sage Paloma Cocktail & Mocktail

Add all ingredients except the soda water into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a lowball glass that has a couple large ice cubes in it. Top off the rest of the glass with your soda water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit juice and a sprig of sage.