Paloma Cocktail


An eye level shot of a Paloma cocktail on a kitchen counter with text overlay.An eye level shot of a Paloma cocktail on a kitchen counter with text overlay.
A close up of a Paloma Cocktail with a grapefruit garnish with text overlay.A close up of a Paloma Cocktail with a grapefruit garnish with text overlay.

A little sweet, a little tart, and so refreshing! The Paloma Cocktail may just become your new favorite tequila drink.

A paloma cocktail in a small glass with a grapefruit wedge on the rim.A paloma cocktail in a small glass with a grapefruit wedge on the rim.

When you think tequila, you think margarita. Am I right? I used to be the same way, but no more! Not since I discovered the Paloma Cocktail. Nothing against the margarita, but I’ve been on a bit of a quest lately to broaden our tequila horizons and this tasty cocktail is a winner.

With its sweet, tart, and salty flavor, it hits all the notes. Plus it has bubbles and booze. All the good things!

An angled top down shot of a paloma cocktail with a grapefruit garnish.An angled top down shot of a paloma cocktail with a grapefruit garnish.

Ingredient Notes

Tequila, Pellegrino and other ingredients to make a Paloma cocktail.Tequila, Pellegrino and other ingredients to make a Paloma cocktail.
  • Fresh grapefruit juice – I recommend using Ruby Red grapefruit which tends to be a bit sweeter and has a pretty pink tint. One half of a grapefruit will yield enough juice to make several cocktails. Slice the remaining half into wedges for garnishing.
  • Lime juice – Don’t use the bottled stuff. Fresh is the only way to go.
  • Sugar – You need a little sweetness to offset the tart citrus flavor.
  • Tequila – You want a good quality, 100% agave tequila Blanco, also known as silver tequila. We like Patron, Don Juilio or Casamigos.
  • Sparkling mineral water – I always have Pellegrino on hand so it’s what I use most often but I love Topo Chico for a Paloma as well. You can even use club soda if you’d like.
  • Salt – Coarse kosher salt for the rim of the glass.
  • Ice
Two paloma cocktails with grapefruits and limes around them.Two paloma cocktails with grapefruits and limes around them.

How to Make a Paloma Cocktail

A hand rubs a grapefruit wedge around a glass rim and dips it in salt.A hand rubs a grapefruit wedge around a glass rim and dips it in salt.
  • Run a grapefruit wedge around the rim of a lowball or whiskey glass.
  • Dip the rim into coarse kosher salt to coat it well.
Tequila, grapefruit juice, and other ingredients are combined in a glass.Tequila, grapefruit juice, and other ingredients are combined in a glass.
  • Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila and sugar to the glass.
  • Add ice and stir well to dissolve the sugar.
  • Top it off with sparkling mineral water.

Easy Paloma Recipe

If you want to make it a super easy version of the Paloma Cocktail, you can skip the grapefruit juice, sugar, and sparkling mineral water and instead use a grapefruit soda, like Squirt or Jarritos. Using sweetened canned soda will increase the calories and I prefer the fresh flavor of real grapefruit juice. But in a pinch, they’re still very good.

A paloma cocktail on a kitchen counter with grapefruit and lime wedges.A paloma cocktail on a kitchen counter with grapefruit and lime wedges.

To make it extra pretty, garnish the Paloma with a little wedge of grapefruit so there’s no mistaking it for a margarita.

FAQs

What is the difference between a Paloma and a Margarita?

The Paloma and Margarita both contain tequila, lime and salt but that’s where the similarities end. Margaritas are typically flavored with an orange liqueur or a bottled margarita mix but a classic Paloma is sweetened with fresh grapefruit juice, a bit of sugar, and a little sparkling water. You can make them even simpler by using grapefruit soda if you’d like.

What is the best tequila for a Paloma Cocktail

Tequila Blanco, also known as silver tequila, is not aged at all which results in a crisp, clear flavor, perfect for mixed drinks like the Paloma, margaritas, and Ranch Water. Be sure to use a high quality, 100% agave tequila like Patron, Don Julio, or Casamigos.

A close up of a paloma cocktail in a lowball glass with a grapefruit garnish.A close up of a paloma cocktail in a lowball glass with a grapefruit garnish.

More Tequila Cocktails

A paloma cocktail in a small glass with a grapefruit wedge on the rim.A paloma cocktail in a small glass with a grapefruit wedge on the rim.

Paloma Cocktail

A little sweet, a little tart, and so refreshing! The Paloma Cocktail may just become your new favorite tequila drink.

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Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1 cocktail

Calories: 176kcal

Ingredients

  • coarse salt for rim
  • ½ Ruby Red grapefruit sliced into small wedges as needed (see note below)
  • 2 ounces fresh Ruby Red grapefruit juice from ½ grapefruit
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 ounces high quality 100% agave tequila blanco (silver tequila) like Patron, Don Julio, or Casamigos
  • 1 to 2 ounces sparkling mineral water or club soda I like Pellegrino or Topo Chico

Instructions

  • Pour some coarse salt on a small plate. Rub a grapefruit wedge around the edge of a lowball or whiskey glass then dip it into salt and twist until well coated.

  • Add the grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, sugar and ice. Stir well to dissolve the sugar. Top off with sparkling water, as desired.

  • Garnish with a small slice or wedge of grapefruit.

Notes

I recommend using Ruby Red grapefruit which tends to be a bit sweeter and has a pretty pink tint. One half of a grapefruit will yield enough juice to make several cocktails. Slice the remaining half into wedges for garnishing.
Easy Paloma Recipe
If you want to make it a super easy version of the Paloma Cocktail, you can skip the grapefruit juice, sugar, and sparkling mineral water and instead use a grapefruit soda, like Squirt or Jarritos. Using sweetened canned soda will increase the calories and I prefer the fresh flavor of real grapefruit juice. But in a pinch, they’re still very good.

Nutrition

Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

A close up of a Paloma Cocktail with a grapefruit garnish with text overlay.A close up of a Paloma Cocktail with a grapefruit garnish with text overlay.