Paloma Cocktail

This refreshing Paloma Cocktail recipe is made with fresh grapefruit and lime juice and a splash of Blanco tequila

Add a salty rim and you’ve got the perfect sunny drink!

What is a Paloma? The classic Paloma recipe is a tequila-based cocktail mixed with fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and soda water (or grapefruit soda) and served on the rocks. We choose fresh juices for our version.

If you’re a grapefruit lover this is your drink!

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Paloma Cocktail Ingredients:

The traditional Paloma cocktail is made with fizzy grapefruit soda or Squirt. We prefer a modern updated version using fresh juices, but feel free to substitute your favorite. This refreshing cocktail is popular on Cinco de Mayo.

• Blanco Tequila – The Paloma will make you a believer in Blanco tequila. Also called silver tequila or white tequila. Blanco is characterized by a clear appearance, has a clean flavor, and is used in the classic margarita. It’s lighter in taste than gold tequila or reposado tequila which is aged in oak barrels. Choose a good tequila for this recipe.
• Grapefruit Juice – Freshly squeezed juice is the best choice, but in a pinch, you can use premade juice (with no added sugar). We used ruby red grapefruits to get the gorgeous pink grapefruit color you see in our photos, but any color of grapefruit will work.
• Lime Juice – Use freshly squeezed. Depending on how tart your grapefruit is you can add more or less to balance the flavor of the drink.
• Simple Syrup – It’s a cinch to make your own and we have a step-by-step write-up about how to make simple syrup. Adjust the amount to suit your taste because it’s sugar syrup. Add more if you prefer a sweeter cocktail or leave it out altogether for a “Skinny Paloma”. Agave syrup or agave nectar is a good substitute.
• Sparkling Soda Water – We use this in place of grapefruit soda. Try Perrier or Topo Chico brands for the cleanest flavor.
• Kosher Salt – For the rim of the glass. This is optional but provides the perfect balance between salty, sweet, and sour with every sip! You can also use coarse sea salt.
• Jalapeno – Optional – if you want to make it spicy! See the recipe card for instructions on how to add it

How to Make a Classic Paloma

This sunny refresher is simple and quick to make, so let’s start mixing!

Making a salt rim glass:

• Add enough kosher (or coarse) salt to cover the bottom of a small plate (such as a salad plate)
• Wet the rim of the glass by rubbing a lime wedge or grapefruit wedge around the edge of the glass
• Dip the rim of your glass into the salt to lightly coat the edges and set aside to dry

Mixing the cocktail:

• Cut the grapefruit into quarters and slice a small wedge for garnish
• Juice the limes. Reserve a lime wedge for garnish before juicing.
• In a cocktail shaker with a strainer: add simple syrup, grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, and about 1/2 cup of ice
• Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. The shaker should be icy cold after shaking!
• Add a handful of ice to the prepared salted glass
• Strain the shaken drink into the glass
• Top with the sparkling water
• Garnish with the reserved wedge of grapefruit (and a round of lime, if desired)
• Serve with tortilla chips, guacamole, and a bowl of fresh Salsa Verde

What is the best tequila for a Paloma?

• The classic Mexican Paloma is traditionally made with Blanco tequila, also known as silver or white tequila. It is characterized by its clear appearance and clean fresh flavor. This type of tequila has no color because it is bottled directly after being distilled.

• Blanco has notes of citrus flavors and agave and is best used in light refreshing drinks. There is a variety of prices and brands. Since the tequila is mixed with citrus fruit juices we recommend choosing a mid-priced tequila.

• Blanco is lighter in taste than reposado tequila, which is aged in oak before bottling. We love reposado in our Spicy Mango Margarita which has a much bolder flavor.

Variations:

There are a few ways to vary this summer favorite. Here are some ideas:

• SKINNY PALOMA – this version omits the simple syrup which saves calories and reduces the overall sugar content
• PALOMA MOCKTAIL – make an alcohol-free Paloma by skipping the tequila
• CLASSIC PALOMA – This combo is just tequila, fresh lime juice, and Squirt or another grapefruit soda. (The sugar in the grapefruit-flavored soda means you can skip the simple syrup and fresh grapefruit juice)
• SPICY PALOMA: The most popular variation is the Spicy Paloma which includes jalapenos for an added pop of medium heat. To make this spicy version slice half of a jalapeno, add 2 pieces to the salted glass, toss 2 more pieces in the cocktail shaker with the simple syrup, and muddle them together before adding the remaining ingredients. Shake everything. Muddling the jalapeno releases its natural oils and adds heat.

Chefs Tip

• When salting the rim of a highball glass, or lowball glass, prep the glasses before shaking the drink. This allows the salt to dry before serving.

The History of the Paloma Cocktail

The Spanish word Paloma means “dove”.

• Stories abound, but one states that the La Paloma cocktail was created by Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner, and bartender of La Capilla, in Tequila, Mexico.
• Other stories claim that the delicious Paloma cocktail originated in Texas in 1938 when the soda brand Squirt, with grapefruit flavor, was invented. A marketing campaign touted it as the perfect mixer for tequila cocktails.

Perfect Pairing for the Paloma

We love an evening of appetizers, with cocktails, or pair with a spicy dinner:

• Salty tortilla chips with homemade Pineapple Salsa and a tray of Mini Taco Cups
• Honey Roasted Cashews or crunchy Coconut Shrimp
• Tangy Chile Verde or spicy Shrimp in Chipotle Sauce
• Grilled Carne Asada or Cedar Plank Salmon
• A pan of Green Chicken Enchiladas will pair perfectly with Paloma’s citrusy flavor

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5 from 8 votes

Paloma Cocktail

Refreshing Paloma Cocktail made with grapefruit juice, lime juice, and Blanco tequila is perfect for a summer day.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Cocktails, Drinks

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Servings: 1 drink

Calories: 219kcal

Author: Cyndy Ufkes ~ The Art of Food and Wine

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker with strainer

Ingredients

• Coarse or Kosher salt for the rim of the glass
• 4 ounces Grapefruit juice (+ 2 wedges for garnish) freshly squeezed, about 1 large grapefruit
• 2 ounces Blanco Tequila
• 1 ounce Lime juice, freshly squeezed (about 1 lime)
• ½ Tablespoons Simple Syrup (or agave)
• 1 ounce Sparkling Water

Optional for Spicy Paloma

• ½ Jalapeno, thinly sliced

Instructions

• Cut the grapefruit into quarters. Slice a few small wedges for garnish and set aside. Juice the remaining grapefruit.

  Juice the lime and set aside.
• Salt the rim of an 8-ounce lowball glass by rubbing a grapefruit wedge around the edge of the glass and dipping it onto a small plate of coarse or Kosher salt.
• Add a handful of ice to the glass. Set aside to allow the salted rim to dry.

  SPICY VERSION: If making the drinks spicy, add 2 slices of jalapeno to the glass
• In a cocktail shaker add the simple syrup.

  SPICY VERSION: If making spicy add 2 slices of jalapeno and muddle with the simple syrup to release the jalapeno's natural oils
• Add about 1/2 cup of ice to the shaker.

  Add the grapefruit juice, Blanco tequila, and lime juice.

  Shake for 20-30 seconds until the shaker becomes icy cold. Strain into the prepared salted glass, and top with sparkling water.

  Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and serve.

Notes

• Make a Skinny Paloma – delete the simple syrup
• Make a Spicy Paloma – add jalapeno to the glass and muddle a jalapeno in the shaker
• Making your own Simple Syrup is just that ~ simple! But you can also use agave

Cooks Note – 1 ounce equals 2 Tablespoons

Nutrition

Serving: 6ounces | Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg