Smoky Paloma: Hot Tea and Tequila

“All Sips, All Occasions, Always Altos”

step by step guide for cocktail perfection

How to mix it?

1. Add all ingredients in a shaker
2. Shake
3. Serve in a tumbler glass.

Smoky Paloma cocktails with grapefruit and chili rim served in short glasses

Why this smoky paloma stands out from every other variation

The Smoky Paloma is not your typical quick mix. This cocktail requires a bit more preparation, as the lapsang souchong tea needs to be infused beforehand and then incorporated into the drink. But that extra step is exactly what makes it stand out, delivering one of the most distinctive flavor profiles among all Paloma variations.

Its “smoky” character comes from lapsang souchong, a traditional Chinese black tea known for its deep, naturally smoky aroma. Widely used in both mixology and gastronomy, this tea allows you to introduce a rich smoky note into cocktails without relying on artificial techniques. The result is a bold, layered smoky paloma that elevates the classic into something far more complex and memorable.

How to Infuse the Cocktail Tea

You will need these ingredients:

250 g Grapefruit Peels
10 g Lapsang Suchong Tea Leaves
1 kg Sugar
250 ml Water

To prepare the mixture of Lapsang Oleo tea, sugar, and grapefruit, you need to:

Peel the grapefruits and set aside the peels.
Juice the remaining grapefruit for the cocktail.
Mix sugar and tea leaves together well and mix into the grapefruit peels.
Leave to infuse overnight (24 hours).
Steep the tea leaves in water for 1 minute.
Pour water into the grapefruit mixture and dissolve sugar fully.
Strain out the grapefruit peels.
Bottle and refrigerate. Shelf life 10 Days.

If this Smoky Paloma caught your attention, there’s so much more to discover. Olmeca Altos brings together a wide range of cocktail recipes, from timeless classics to bold, creative twists like this one, designed for every taste and moment.

Explore new ways to enjoy tequila, whether you’re into citrus-forward mixes, smoky profiles, or unique creations inspired by modern mixology. Dive into our full collection of Olmeca Altos cocktails and find your next signature drink.

Try the Smoky, the Spicy or our Crafted Paloma

Why not explore the shadowy depths of the Smoky Paloma, a rare twist on the beloved cocktail? Alongside, we’ll uncover secrets to mastering the quintessential Paloma and its fiery cousin:

Can Another Hot Tea be Used to Make this Tequila Cocktail?

In theory, other teas with a smoky flavor similar to Lapsang Souchong can be used to make the Smoky Paloma, but the taste experience may be different. Lapsang Souchong is known for its strong, distinctive smoky flavor, so it may be difficult to find a tea that matches it completely.

We assure you that trying to get some of this tea to prepare our version of the Smoked Paloma is a very good choice.

Olmeca Altos and Lapsang Souchong: the Different Cocktail

This is a unique Paloma, it takes a while to make and requires specific ingredients. We can’t make a cocktail of this caliber with just any tequila. The drink cries out to be complemented with one of the same level, a high-quality tequila like Altos Tequila, made in Jalisco, Mexico, with 100% Blue Agave. You won’t regret it.