Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Tequila & Mezcal Cocktails

Za'atar Paloma

Written by
Ari Bendersky
Published 09/04/18

At Sitti, an authentic Lebanese restaurant in downtown Raleigh, N.C., every table gets greeted with fresh pita and a dish of za'atar-infused olive oil for dipping. From this, bartender Whitney Neal envisioned a cocktail using the savory-sweet blend of spices like sumac, sesame and thyme for a fresh take on a Paloma. Her version mixes Patrón silver tequila with fresh grapefruit juice and an ounce of za'atar simple syrup, served over ice with a lime wheel garnish. Sip on its own or enjoy it with grilled meat.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz Patrón silver tequila
  • 1 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz Za’atar simple syrup*
  • Garnish: Lime wheel

Steps

  1. Add all the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake.

  2. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice.

  3. Garnish with a lime wheel.

  4. Serve with a straw.

  5. Za’atar simple syrup: Add 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup za’atar while syrup is still hot to let spices steep. Let sit for at least 3 hours. Strain out sesame seeds and refrigerate. Good for up to 1 month.