Paloma Cocktail
on Apr 20, 2022, Updated Jul 04, 2024
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If you’re a fan of margaritas then you have to try this Paloma Cocktail! Made with grapefruit and lime juice, tequila, and sparkling water. It’s sweet, tart, and refreshing!
If you love a good margarita, then there’s a solid chance you’ll love this paloma cocktail as well. The ingredients are similar and if you enjoy a fresh citrus and tequila cocktail, then I’m almost certain you’ll enjoy a paloma.
If you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year or throwing any kind of Mexican themed party this year, then you need to add palomas as one of your signature cocktails to serve.
They’re easy to make, you only need a handful of ingredients, and you can easily turn this into a batch cocktail recipe if you’re serving them for a larger group.
What Is A Paloma?
A paloma cocktail is a tequila based cocktail made with lime juice and grapefruit flavored soda. In the case of this recipe we’re using fresh grapefruit juice, agave nectar, and topping it off with soda water.
Palomas are served on the rocks (with ice) with either a lime or grapefruit wedge. As with a margarita, the rim of the glass may be rimmed with salt.
What’s The Difference Between A Paloma And A Margarita?
The two big differences between a paloma and a margarita are that a margarita uses fresh lime juice and is sweetened with orange liquor such as cointreau.
A paloma uses grapefruit soda or fresh grapefruit juice and is sweetened with agave or simple syrup if using the later.
Ingredients For A Paloma Cocktail
Tequila – You can use either blanco or reposado tequila for this cocktail. I used blanco. Whatever tequila you use be sure it is a decent quality.
Grapefruit Juice – Fresh grapefruit juice will give you the best flavor. Ruby red grapefruit is slightly sweeter and what I used in this recipe.
Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice is recommended for this cocktail, as with the grapefruit. The flavor is superior and more pure tasting.
Agave Nectar – The sweetener for the Paloma. If you prefer to use simple syrup that will work as well.
Sparkling Water – Use an unsweetened sparkling water to top off the paloma. It adds a little effervescence and cuts some of the tequila and citrus flavor. Pellegrino and Topo Chico are good choices of sparkling water.
Coarse Sea Salt and Chili Powder – Line the rim of the glass with the wedge of a lime or grapefruit and that dip it into the salt and chili powder combo. It’s a nice contrast to the sweetness of the paloma.
How To Make A Paloma Cocktail
Squeeze the juice of half a grapefruit through a strainer and into a glass measuring cup. You can usually get about a 1/2 cup of juice from half of a grapefruit.
Repeat this process with a lime. Depending on how juicy your lime is you may need 2 of them.
Measure out the tequila and pour it in with the citrus juice. Pour in the agave nectar or simple syrup and whisk everything together.
If you have a cocktail strainer feel free to add the ingredients into that and shake it until well combined.
On a small plate, combine course sea salt and a little bit of chili powder. Run a lime or grapefruit wedge along the rim of a glass and then dip it into the salt until it’s coated.
Add a few ice cubes to the glass and then pour in the paloma. Top it off with sparkling water and garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge.
More Favorite Cocktail Recipes
Did you make this Paloma Cocktail? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice plus wedges for garnish
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave nectar
- Sparkling water
- Sea salt and chili powder for the rim of the glass
Instructions
- Combine coarse sea salt and a few dashes of chili powder on a plate. Mix together.
- Take a lime wedge and run it along the rim of a glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt until it's coated. Add a few ice cubes into the glass.
- Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, and agave in a glass measuring cup or cocktail shaker. Stir or shake until combined.
- Pour the Paloma into the salt rimmed glass and top with sparkling water. Serve with a grapefruit or lime wedge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
great cocktail, thank you, haven’t had one of these in a while but love the non-sweetness of the grapefruit-lime combo!