How you can Make a Pine Needle Paloma

The Pine Needle Paloma is a riff on a Paloma cocktail that options tequila infused with contemporary pine needles, lime juice, grapefruit juice, easy syrup, and fizzy grapefruit soda. The ensuing cocktail is bittersweet and tart, with a woodsy taste profile. 

The Pine Needle Paloma was developed by Brandon Thrash, beverage director and common supervisor of Center Baby Clubhouse in Philadelphia. “Thrash leans closely on small-batch spirits and native produce, even within the winter when the pickings are slim,” says Philadelphia-based meals author Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé. 

At Center Baby Clubhouse, Thrash infuses native pine needles from New Jersey’s Pine Barrens into a mix of tequila and mezcal for a contact of smokiness, however on this simplified model, solely tequila is used. Needles from most species of pine will work on this recipe — besides ponderosa, Jeffrey, and lodgepole pines, which have been reported as unsafe for consumption.

Make sure you give the needles a radical wash earlier than submerging them into the tequila to keep away from any off flavors. A 24-hour infusion of pine needles in tequila at room temperature imbues the spirit with pine needle notes; for a stronger taste profile, infuse the tequila for 2 days. 

Why the Pine Needle Paloma Works

Grapefruit’s tart and candy flavors stability the grassy, herbaceous notes of pine on this refreshing cocktail. The infused tequila presents a gentle woodsy aroma that’s harking back to botanical-forward gins. 

This recipe requires each a pinch of salt within the combined drink and a salted rim. Not solely does the salt stability the candy and fruity notes on this drink, it additionally acts as a taste amplifier, making the grapefruit and pine needle notes within the cocktail extra intense. 

A contemporary slice of grapefruit and a sprig of pine needles function the proper garnish for this paloma cocktail that embraces the flavors of winter.