Made with fresh grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda, lime, and tequila, this Paloma Cocktail is refreshing and citrusy, without being overly sweet. It’s a great drink to balance out all the heavy foods in wintertime and also perfect for warm days relaxing by the pool when you need a change from sipping on margaritas.
Paloma Drink – Grapefruit Cocktail
When people think of tequila cocktails, the first thing to pop in their mind is likely a margarita, followed by a tequila sunrise. Another one is a Paloma, where grapefruit is the star. It’s citrusy, refreshing, and not too sweet.
Grapefruit comes into season in January, so it’s a great fruit to enjoy during those chilly winter months for breakfast or in this cocktail. Of course this drink is also perfect for sipping on while lounging out by the pool in summer. Make a pitcher to share with friends!
What Is a Paloma?
A Paloma is a very refreshing tequila-based drink with a mixture of grapefruit and lime juices. It’s a super popular Mexican cocktail, similar to a margarita.
While it can be made with just tequila and grapefruit soda, this recipe gets a triple dose of grapefruit flavor from fresh grapefruit juice, grapefruit slices, and grapefruit soda. Fresh lime juice lends acidity and a more complex citrus flavor, which balances the sweetness, and a little bit of salt brings all the flavors together.
Paloma Recipe Ingredients
This easy Paloma cocktail recipe requires just 5 ingredients.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Coarse sea salt – For rimming the glass.
- Tequila – You want to use a quality tequila blanco for this cocktail.
- Grapefruit juice – Fresh grapefruit juice is essential! Bottles or cartons of grapefruit juice will not deliver the right flavor.
- Lime juice – Again, you want to use freshly squeezed lime.
- Grapefruit soda – Fresca or Jarritos are both good options.
- Crushed ice
- For garnish – A slice of grapefruit and a lime wedge garnish the cocktail.
What’s The Best Tequila for a Paloma?
Tequila blanco is typically used in a Paloma. However, you can also use lightly aged tequila, such as a reposado. What you don’t want to use is an anejo tequila that has been aged for a long time because the flavor can overpower the bright, refreshing citrus flavors.
Whether you use tequila blanco or reposada, you do want to choose a quality tequila. You don’t necessarily need the most expensive top-shelf tequila but you also don’t want the cheapest. You will taste the difference! Patron and Don Julio are both good options.
How to Make a Paloma
This easy cocktail comes together in just 5 minutes.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Salt the rim. Rub a grapefruit wedge around the edge of the glass then dip it into a small plate of coarse sea salt.
- Pour over ice. Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake then pour over crushed ice. Top off with the grapefruit soda. Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and a lime wedge inside the glass. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
Not sure what grapefruit soda to use? Or maybe you can’t find it? Here are some tips for making the best Paloma drink.
- What’s the best grapefruit flavored soda to use? Jarritos and Fresca are the most popular options but Squirt will work as well.
- What if I can’t find grapefruit soda? If there’s no grapefruit soda to be found at the store, you can mix together 3 ounces of sparkling water or club soda with 1 ounce of simple syrup, agave nectar, or honey.
- Just add salt. If you don’t feel like dealing with rimming the glass with salt, just include a pinch of salt with the tequila and juices before shaking.
- Use quality ingredients. Cocktails are only as good as the ingredients used to make them and this Paloma cocktail is no exception. Be sure to use fresh juices and a quality tequila when making this or you will definitely taste the difference.
More Cocktail Recipes:
- Dirty Shirley
- Tequila Sunrise
- Classic Mojito
- Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Sea Breeze Cocktail
- Sex on the Beach
- Blue Hawaiian
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
- coarse sea salt , for rimming the glass
- crushed ice
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces grapefruit soda (such as Fresca or Jarritos)
- grapefruit wedge , for serving
- lime wedge , for serving
Instructions
- Salt the rim of a highball glass by rubbing a grapefruit wedge around the edge and dipping it onto a small plate of coarse sea salt.
- Place crushed ice into the glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice. Shake to combine.
- Pour into the glass over ice. Top off with the grapefruit soda; stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness, if desired.
- Garnish with grapefruit wedge and a lime wedge. Enjoy!