Matthew McConaughey is someone I’d like to drink with. He seems like he always brings the party to the late-night talk shows, sipping bourbon or tequila. So when he and his wife Camila launched a tequila brand called Pantalones—while making funny double entendres about pants (and not wearing them)—I was all in. Maybe I can’t drink with them, but I can drink like them!
Most people gravitate to the classic margarita when it comes to tequila drinks, but I’ve long opted for the citrusy paloma instead. I love the punch of grapefruit, the bubbles and the fact that it doesn’t contain a drop of commercial sour mix (just say no to sour mix!). A traditional paloma is a simple concoction of tequila, grapefruit soda and lime, but I prefer fresh grapefruit juice and club soda with a smidge of sweetener. To me, it’s the pinnacle of refreshing poolside sipping. Only one thing can improve this classic Mexican drink: turning it into a slushie. Because a frozen paloma is as good as a frozen margarita, and maybe even better.
How to Make Matthew McConaughey’s Frozen Paloma
This recipe is based on the Pantalones Frozen Pantaloma. Blanco is the best tequila for margaritas and palomas; it’s uncomplicated and lets the other flavors shine through. But there’s nothing wrong with using a slightly aged reposado, which is what I used. (Save the more heavily aged añejo for spirit-forward cocktails or sipping neat.) This recipe makes one cocktail, but trust me: You’ll want to make a batch. It’s an easy recipe to scale up. Just remember that frozen drinks melt quickly; make only as many as you intend to serve immediately.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 ounces blanco or reposado tequila
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce light agave syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Ice
- Grapefruit, sliced for garnish
Directions
In a blender, combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave and a pinch of salt with 1 cup of ice. Blend until smooth, about 15 to 20 seconds. Pour the frozen paloma into a chilled glass and garnish it with a slice of grapefruit.
Lesley Balla for Taste of Home
My Honest Review of the Matthew McConaughey Frozen Paloma
It’s such a McConaughey cliche (McConacliche?), but this frozen paloma is definitely “alright, alright, alright!” It’s hard not to love a frozen cocktail, and this one made with smooth tequila and real grapefruit juice is a winner. I used bottled juice because, at the end of the day, it’s getting blended into a boozy drink. But using freshly squeezed juice would make it even better. The agave added just enough sweetness (honey would also work well), and that pinch of salt brought some balance. A Tajin rim would be pretty stellar, too.
I don’t know if the McConaugheys regularly drink frozen palomas, but I can imagine tossing some back with the couple around their movie-star pool in a breezy, beautifully designed backyard. OK, maybe I was daydreaming with each sip—blame the tequila!—but even the official recipe mentions floating on a lazy river, so I’m not far off. This slushie cocktail is for pool days so hot, you never want to get out of the water (or, if you’re like me and don’t have a pool, the sprinkler). Either way, get the blender ready, find some cute inflatables and enjoy the dog days of summer, McConaughey-style.