Straightaway Paloma 4Pk 100ML

Straightaway Paloma 4Pk 100ML is a ready-to-drink Paloma cocktail made with reposado tequila and housemade grapefruit soda, bottled at 10% ABV in four 100ml bottles. This expression earned a Silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2022 and 2023, validating what the liquid delivers — a genuinely bar-quality Paloma in a portable format.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10%  |  Origin: Portland, Oregon  |  Style: Ready-to-Drink Cocktail  |  Distillery: Straightaway

Production & Heritage

Straightaway operates from Portland's Southeast Distillery Row at 901 SE Hawthorne Blvd, where the team takes a bartender-first approach to bottled cocktails. Rather than relying on commercial mixers, the distillery produces its own grapefruit soda in-house, incorporating tamarind and pink peppercorn to add savory depth and aromatic complexity beyond what a standard tequila-and-soda combination achieves. The base spirit is reposado tequila, whose barrel-rested character provides a weightier backbone than the blanco tequila found in many competing RTD Palomas. Straightaway's broader philosophy centers on sourcing local and high-quality ingredients to give their cocktails a distinct Pacific Northwest identity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright grapefruit peel leads immediately, followed by a subtle warmth from the pink peppercorn. Underneath, there is a faint mineral quality from the reposado tequila and a whisper of tamarind tartness.

Taste: Tangy citrus blooms across the palate first, with a profile that recalls the grapefruit soda character of a properly built Paloma. VinePair noted the tequila comes through with real weight, delivering mineral and fruity agave notes alongside a saccharine punch of grapefruit. The tamarind adds a savory, slightly tart undercurrent at mid-palate that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering grapefruit zest and a peppery tingle from the pink peppercorn. The reposado's subtle oak influence gives the finish a grounding warmth that straight citrus cocktails often lack.

How to Drink Straightaway Paloma

These 100ml bottles are designed to be enjoyed straight from the bottle, chilled, or poured over ice — no mixing required. For those who like to customize, a squeeze of fresh lime and a pinch of Tajín on the rim amplifies the existing citrus-spice profile. The compact format also makes it a convenient base for a Spicy Paloma by adding a few slices of jalapeño for heat. Try it alongside sparkling water to create a lighter Paloma Spritz that stretches the cocktail without losing its core character. It also works as a surprisingly effective Michelada riff when combined with a light Mexican lager, leveraging the tamarind and grapefruit to replace the usual tomato-based mix.

Best For

• Outdoor gatherings, beach trips, and picnics where glassware and bar tools are impractical
• Hosting a tasting flight of RTD cocktails for friends curious about the category
• Gifting to a tequila-loving friend who appreciates craft ingredients over mass-market convenience
• Stocking a hotel mini-fridge or cooler for travel without sacrificing cocktail quality

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Straightaway Paloma taste like? It tastes like a well-made Paloma with prominent tangy grapefruit, mineral-driven reposado tequila notes, and a distinctive savory edge from tamarind and pink peppercorn that sets it apart from simpler RTD versions.

How does Straightaway Paloma compare to El Jimador New Mix Paloma? El Jimador New Mix uses a more conventional grapefruit soda base, while Straightaway distinguishes itself with housemade grapefruit soda infused with tamarind and pink peppercorn. Straightaway also uses reposado tequila rather than a blanco-style base, resulting in a heavier, more complex tequila presence on the palate.

Is Straightaway Paloma good for casual drinking? At 10% ABV, it sits in a sessionable range that makes it approachable for relaxed settings without the full punch of a standard mixed Paloma, which typically runs closer to 12-15% ABV depending on the recipe.

Where is Straightaway Paloma made? Straightaway Paloma is produced at the Straightaway distillery on Portland, Oregon's Distillery Row in the Southeast Hawthorne neighborhood, where all of their cocktail ingredients — including the housemade grapefruit soda — are prepared on-site.

What foods pair well with Straightaway Paloma? Ceviche and aguachile work naturally alongside the citrus and tequila notes. Fish tacos with a cabbage slaw mirror the drink's tangy brightness. Grilled shrimp skewers with chili-lime seasoning complement the pink peppercorn spice. Elote (Mexican street corn) pairs well with the drink's balance of sweet and savory. Mango with Tajín echoes the tropical-tart character of the tamarind.

What sizes does Straightaway Paloma come in? This product is sold as a four-pack of 100ml bottles, making each bottle a single-serve portion at 10% ABV.

Is Straightaway Paloma worth the price? Straightaway Paloma positions itself in the premium RTD tier, justified by the use of reposado tequila and housemade ingredients rather than commercial mixers — a meaningful distinction in a category where many competitors rely on flavoring and blanco tequila or agave spirits.

Why Straightaway Paloma?

Back-to-back Silver medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2022 and 2023 place this among the most consistently recognized RTD Palomas in competition. The use of housemade grapefruit soda with tamarind and pink peppercorn is not a marketing flourish — it produces a genuinely layered drink that VinePair praised for tasting like a properly made Paloma. The reposado tequila base adds weight and complexity that blanco-based competitors simply do not match. In a rapidly expanding RTD market flooded with shortcuts, Straightaway's bartender-driven approach from Portland's Distillery Row delivers a portable cocktail that holds up to serious scrutiny.