If there's one cocktail that captures everything summer should feel like, it's a Paloma. And when you swap out the tequila for a good smoky mezcal and finish it with a spicy chilli salt rim and a dehydrated grapefruit slice — well, you've got something truly special.

This recipe is dead simple to make at home, but it looks and tastes like something from a serious cocktail bar. The secret is in the garnish. That dehydrated grapefruit slice on the rim isn't just for show — as the ice slowly melts, it releases a concentrated citrus hit that keeps evolving with every sip.

We've been making variations of this cocktail at Cocktail Candy for a while now, and it's the one that gets the most requests at every gathering. Whether you're hosting friends on a warm Gold Coast evening or just treating yourself after a long week — this one's a keeper.