DOTD For Tuesday, September 16, 2025

A Delicious Drink To Celebrate A Neighbor's Independence!

Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is a Paloma Cocktail inspired by Mexican Independence Day!

The “Cry of Dolores”, or Grito de Dolores first occurred on September 16, 1810. That’s when Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo rang his church bell in the town of Dolores, Mexico, and gave the call to arms that set off the Mexican War of Independence. Mexico marks September 16 as its Independence Day, a national holiday celebrated in Mexico, and by Mexicans around the world.

The history of today’s DOTD, the Paloma Cocktail, is a bit vague and, of course, there are competing stories. One of the more popular stories is that Don Javier at the famous bar La Capilla was the first to invent it, but according to Meehan’s Bartender Manual he denies it. Another theory, more likely, is that the cocktail followed the introduction of grapefruit soda (like Squirt) to Mexico in 1955.

For what it’s worth, the Paloma isn’t much more than tequila and grapefruit soda – and there’s not much evidence the Paloma even existed before grapefruit soda did.

As noted, Squirt is likely the original soda ingredient. But now there are many other brands out there: Fresca, Ting, and, of course, Jarritos. While some folks have a strong preference for one brand over another, our key piece of advice from The Politics Bar on the Paloma is this: If at all possible, use a grapefruit soda pop made with actual sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup. Here in the U.S., the easiest brand of those to obtain is most often Jarritos.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink: