Looking to serve a fun and festive cocktail for your next holiday gathering? Try this one-of-a-kind recipe for a Piloncillo Apple Paloma, a sweet and spicy twist on the classic Mexican cocktail created by our friend Vianney Rodriguez of @sweetlifebake.
While the Paloma is traditionally more of a warm weather favorite, ingredients like cinnamon and apple give this drink a holiday makeover that makes it feel right at home for festive winter occasions. The addition of Mountain Valley Key Lime Twist Sparkling Water adds a refreshing fizz and balances the sweetness.
What makes this recipe even better? You can make it ahead! By preparing the Palomas directly in our iconic green glass bottles, you can easily serve in style without any last-minute mixing. And if you’ve never worked with piloncillo before, don’t worry—we’ll explain what it is and where to find it. This cocktail is sure to be a hit at your holiday celebration!
Piloncillo Apple Paloma
Ingredients:
- 6 333ml bottles of Mountain Valley Lime Twist Sparkling Water (buy online here)
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 6 ounces apple piloncillo syrup
- 6 ounces tequila blanco
- Apple slices (to garnish)
Directions:
- Combine salt and cinnamon.
- Brush bottle with apple piloncillo syrup and sprinkle with the cinnamon salt mixture.
- Pour out 4 ounces of each bottle. *pro-tip: use that extra Mountain Valley to make yourself a side cocktail or mocktail
- Add 1 ounce apple piloncillo syrup to each bottle.
- Add 1 ounce tequila to each bottle.
- Garnish with apple slices.
For the apple piloncillo syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 apple sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 cup piloncillo
Directions:
- In a saucepan add water, apple slices, cinnamon and piloncillo.
- Bring to a boil, stir to dissolve sugar, reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, allow to cool.
So What is Piloncillo?
Piloncillo is a type of unrefined sugar commonly used in Mexican cooking. Made from sugarcane, it has a rich, molasses-like flavor and is often sold in cone-shaped blocks. Unlike regular white sugar, piloncillo retains the natural molasses and minerals, giving it a deep caramel flavor with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Food & Wine says, "whether you grate it or melt it, piloncillo adds a subtle burnt-edge sweetness to drinks, desserts, and more."
You can find piloncillo at most Latin or international grocery stores, typically in the baking or Mexican food section. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with dark brown sugar, but we think the unique flavor of piloncillo really makes this recipe special.
