Crafting delicious cocktails can be a lot of fun, but it can also lead to a certain snobbery. What, after all, is a basic rum and Coke (never Pepsi!) compared to a beautifully balanced Sazerac (here is my version, and here’s another)?
Well for starters, it can be delicious. Complicated is not always better, and sometimes a good, refreshing drink is great weather it’s basic or not.
But still, the snobbery can persist. So it was that while I was in Las Vegas this summer playing pool, I walked to a well-reviewed Mexican restaurant for a late lunch and relaxing afternoon one day. The bar was large and well-appointed with a variety of tequilas, and as I have enjoyed doing for decades, I asked the bartender to set me up with a recommended tequila-based drink.
Her immediate response was La Paloma (the dove). It’s just Squirt (grapefruit flavored soda) and tequila. I was disappointed once I understood properly what was in the drink. I was hoping for some complicated and impressive drink to enjoy and impress others with. Instead I get a gross soda messing up my tequila.
But, it was tasty. And tasty is more important than complicated. I’ve mixed some very impressive looking drinks over the years, but if they don’t taste good, all that effort (and money!) is for naught.
La Paloma
- 1 part tequila (I suggest a basic one rather than a nicer/pricier one)
- 3 parts Squirt (I would like to try this with Fresca instead, as I think the flavor is better)
Pour into a glass over ice and stir. If you want to make it look prettier, put a wedge of lime on the rim of the glass. It’s light and refreshing either way, so enjoy!
Living Apologetics 
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