This classic Grapefruit Paloma is made with fresh grapefruit juice and grapefruit soda, and it's a great easy cocktail for any occasion! So simple to make and you can easily turn it into a mocktail!
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Why You'll Love This Paloma
Similar to a margarita - If you like margaritas, you'll love a Paloma! It's a tequila-based cocktail with grapefruit soda, which is what makes it different from a margarita. I'm also adding freshly squeezed grapefruit juice to mine to make the grapefruit flavor even more pronounced and I highly recommend it!
Perfect for the summer - The freshly squeezed grapefruit juice makes the drink really refreshing and the perfect drink to cool down with during the summer months. I also recommend you try this Frozen Mojito on those extra hot days.
Can be served in a pitcher - If you're making this drink for a crowd, you'll find measurements for a pitcher version in the notes of the recipe card. It's really easy to make in a pitcher and it will save you a ton of time if you're serving it to more people!
Easy to make non-alcoholic - Grapefruit, lime, and grapefruit soda make a delicious drink on their own so turning this cocktail into a mocktail is a breeze! Don't forget simple syrup to make the drink a little sweeter.
Key Ingredients
- Tequila - I usually use silver or reposado tequila. Silver tequila is the most common for a Paloma cocktail but I enjoy the richer, ever so slightly woody flavor of reposado tequila.
- Fresh lime juice - I highly recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice whenever possible, it makes a huge difference compared to bottled lime juice.
- Grapefruit juice - This is optional but I love adding it to my Palomas! Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is the best here, it adds a ton of flavor with no added sugar.
- Sweetener - The recipe calls for simple syrup which you can easily make by mixing water and any kind of sweetener in a 1:1 ratio. Cane sugar is the most common but maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener of your choice would work. Keep in mind simple syrup is less sweet than the other options so adjust the measurements accordingly.
- Grapefruit soda - Paloma is traditionally served with sparkling grapefruit soda like Jarritos. I like using unsweetened grapefruit soda like LaCroix but you can also use plain sparkling water like Topo Chico, or club soda since this recipe also has grapefruit juice which already adds a ton of flavor to the drink.
Variations and Substitutions
- Mocktail version - Use a zero-proof tequila and non-alcoholic orange liqueur. You can also skip both and just make the drink with grapefruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and sparkling grapefruit soda. I recommend adding more grapefruit juice or soda to make up for the loss in volume.
- Different spirit - If you're out of tequila or don't like it, you can use other spirits like gin or vodka. You can also use a different type of tequila like smoky Mezcal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Simple syrup
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of cane sugar to a medium saucepan. You can make less or more of it depending on how much you need but always stick with a 1:1 ratio.
- Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Allow the syrup to cool for 5 minutes before using. Store it in a glass jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
- The syrup makes 8-16 servings depending on whether you're adding ½ oz or 1 oz to your cocktails. You can also freeze the syrup in a freezer-safe container for 3-4 months. Do not freeze in an ice cube tray because it never freezes solid.
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Paloma
- Prep your glass by coating the rim of the glass with salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in fine sea salt on a small plate. This step is optional. It's always done for margaritas but it's also very common for Palomas.
- Fill your glass with ice and set it aside.
- Add Blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add a handful of ice and shake vigorously for a few seconds until very cool to the touch.
- Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass over ice.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and a small grapefruit wedge. Dried grapefruit or lime is also a great garnish if you want the drink to look a little fancier.
Tips & Tricks!
- Juice your citrus ahead of time - If you're making these for a group of people and want to use fresh juice, it's great to juice your limes and grapefruits ahead of time. This saves time and clean up when you want to make the drinks! Store the juice in airtight jars in the fridge for up to 2 days.
FAQs
The cocktail comes from Mexico and it was originally made with just tequila and Mexican Squirt grapefruit soda. It's believed to be named after a popular song called La Paloma. It's a simple cocktail and just as popular, if not more, as a margarita.
They're both tequila-based cocktails with lime juice and simple syrup, but Paloma also has fresh grapefruit juice and grapefruit soda or sparkling water. If you've never tried it before, definitely give it a shot!
I like using grapefruit LaCroix because it's sugar-free and has a good flavor. Any grapefruit soda you like works. If you can't find any, plain sparkling water is a great option.
It's a refreshing, sweet, slightly bitter cocktail that's usually served with grapefruit soda which gives it more texture and makes it easier to drink (less alcohol concentration).
More Tequila and Grapefruit Cocktails
If you like cocktails with grapefruit, tequila, or ones that are more on the bitter side, definitely try the three drinks below! I also included my favorite summer jello shots. To see all the latest ones, head to the Cocktails!
- Rosemary Paloma (just like this one but with rosemary)
- Tequila Sunset (similar to a Tequila Sunrise but with grapefruit juice!)
- Tequila Sunrise Jello Shots (So fun for summer parties!)
- Campari Orange Blossom Cocktail (One of my all-time favorite tequila drinks!)
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Have you tried this Grapefruit Paloma? Please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Looking for something to serve the Paloma with? Grab my free Top 10 Best Appetizers e-book for inspiration, and don't forget to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!
Print📖 Recipe
Grapefruit Paloma
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Grapefruit Paloma is made with fresh grapefruit juice, it's easy to make, so refreshing, and perfect for the summer!
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup cane sugar
Paloma
- A lime wedge
- 1 tbsp fine sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- 1 ½ oz silver or reposado tequila
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- ½ oz simple syrup (see notes for how to make it)
- Ice
- Grapefruit soda (I like LaCroix, Topo Chico, or Jarritos)
- Lime and grapefruit slices for garnish (dried lime or grapefruit slices are also a great garnish option)
Instructions
Simple Syrup
- Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of cane sugar to a medium saucepan. You can make less or more of it depending on how much you need but always stick with a 1:1 ratio.
- Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Allow the syrup to cool for 5 minutes before using. Store it in a glass jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Paloma
- Prep your glass by coating the rim of the glass with salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in fine sea salt on a small plate. This step is optional. It's always done for margaritas but it's also very common for Palomas.
- Fill your glass with ice and set it aside.
- Add Blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add a handful of ice and shake vigorously for a few seconds until very cool to the touch.
- Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass over ice.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and a small grapefruit wedge. Dried grapefruit or lime is also a great garnish if you want the drink to look a little fancier.
Notes
Simple syrup: The syrup makes 8-16 servings depending on whether you're adding ½ oz or 1 oz to your cocktails. Store it in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. You can also freeze the syrup in a freezer-safe container for 3-4 months. Do not freeze in an ice cube tray because it never freezes solid.
Non-alcoholic version: Substitute the tequila with a non-alcoholic spirit of choice or skip it completely. Add the rest of the ingredients to a shaker and serve over ice topped up with grapefruit sparkling water. Add a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice for more flavor.
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Gwynn says
Such a delicious and refreshing cocktail for a summer happy hour! My guests loved it!
Ann says
This drink sounds so fresh and refreshing! Love grapefruit juice, so will definitely be making this. Thanks for the share!
Amanda says
This is such a refreshing drink! It was super hot yesterday, and this totally hit the spot. We really loved it.