Say hello to the Crystal Head Onyx Paloma, a fizzy, grapefruit-bright sip built on one of the most fun bottles on the shelf! Crystal Head teamed up with Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda for this vodka twist on Mexico’s favorite highball, and I am completely smitten.
Meet Crystal Head Onyx
Onyx is the glossy black skull in the Crystal Head family, launched in 2020, and it is a charmer. It is made from Blue Weber agave from a single farm in Mexico, blended with water from Newfoundland, and filtered through Herkimer diamonds, according to the brand. The result is a clean, smooth vodka with fresh green grass, white pepper, and a hint of citrus on the nose, then a soft, earthy agave sweetness that lingers on the finish.
It is 40% ABV, sugar-free, and gluten-free. Because it is an agave vodka, it is vodka rather than tequila, which is exactly why it is so much fun to play with.
Why a Vodka Paloma Works
The classic Paloma is tequila, lime, and grapefruit soda. Its name means “dove” in Spanish, and it is a beloved everyday drink in Mexico, often said to be poured even more than the Margarita. Onyx keeps that agave warmth and swaps the tequila for something silkier, so the grapefruit and lime get to sparkle.
Three Cents is the perfect partner. The bottle carries a little drawing of a dove, a sweet nod to the Paloma, and the soda tastes like ripe pink grapefruit with a lovely, balanced zing. Mark your calendar for National Paloma Day on May 22, and then mix one whenever the mood strikes!
Why Lush Life Loves It
This one takes about seven minutes from bottle to glass, with just four ingredients plus a salty rim and a grapefruit wheel, so it is wonderfully easy to pull off for friends. The black skull bottle looks incredible on a bar cart and is a showstopper at Halloween parties, and the drink itself is bright, tart, and so refreshing that I find myself making a second one before the first is gone.
Tips for the Best Onyx Paloma
- Use fresh lime juice. It makes the whole drink taste brighter than bottled juice ever will.
- Pick a tall glass. A highball glass shows off the pink fizz and keeps it bubbly. Our guide to glassware for your home bar will help you choose.
- Go big on the rim. A salty rim is a classic, and a Tajín rim adds a little chili and lime sparkle.
- Serving a crowd? Mix the vodka, lime, and agave syrup in a pitcher ahead of time, then pour over ice and top each glass with soda just before serving so the bubbles stay lively.
Fun Variations
- No Three Cents? Any good pink grapefruit soda works beautifully.
- Honey instead of agave syrup. Simple syrup or honey syrup both keep the drink soft and sweet.
- Spicy rim. Tajín or a chili salt adds a little warmth.
- Tequila Paloma. Swap in a blanco tequila for the traditional version and taste the two side by side.
More Grapefruit and Agave Favorites
Love grapefruit and vodka together? Try the Sea Breeze. Craving more agave? The El Sueño Tommy’s Margarita is a joy. Looking for spooky skull-bottle ideas? Our Halloween cocktail recipes are ready for your party, and our roundup of easy vodka cocktails has plenty more to mix at home.
Crystal Head Onyx Paloma FAQ
What is Crystal Head Onyx? It is an agave vodka from Crystal Head, made from Blue Weber agave from a single farm in Mexico and bottled in a black skull.
Is Crystal Head Onyx tequila? No. It is a vodka made from agave, so it has agave character with a clean vodka finish.
How strong is Crystal Head Onyx? It is 40% ABV.
What soda goes in a Paloma? Pink grapefruit soda. Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda is the one Crystal Head teamed up with for this recipe, and any quality pink grapefruit soda will do.
Here is the recipe
Crystal Head Onyx Paloma
Ingredients
- 50 ml Crystal Head Onyx Vodka
- 60 ml Three cents grapefruit soda
- 10 ml fresh lime juice
- 10 ml agave syrup
- Garnish with a wheel of grapefruit
Instructions
- Wet the rim of a highball glass with the grapefruit wheel
- Dip the rim in salt
- Add ice
- Stir all ingredients together.
- Garnish with a wheel of grapefruit