Sip on summer sunshine with this effortlessly refreshing Paloma cocktail recipe.
Something about fresh citrus, tequila, and a salted rim really makes you feel like you’re on vacation. But with this incredibly easy recipe for a paloma cocktail, you’ll feel like you’re on the beach or in a fancy resort from the comfort of your own home. A Mexican cocktail like this also makes for a great mason jar drink for the beach!
If your usual tequila cocktail go-to is a Margarita, this drink will make you think again. The paloma cocktail has it all: zesty grapefruit, smooth tequila, tart lime, fizzy sparkling water, and a hint of sweetness with the addition of simple syrup. Pack in the ice, salt the rim, and you’re transported to Mexico where this drink originates from.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Light and refreshing, this cocktail is like an adult version of lemonade — only better.
- The gentle fizz from soda adds an really nice touch and its cute pink color makes it hard to forget.
- It’s easy to make and needs just a handful of ingredients.
- I think it is simply the perfect summer cocktail.
Equipment
- A shaker
- A jigger (to measure liquids)
- A juicer (for the fresh grapefruit juice)
- A small plate (to rim the glass with salt)
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco or silver tequila
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 oz sparkling water
- ½ oz lime juice
- ¼ oz simple syrup adjust to taste
- salt for rimming the glass
- ice
- optional grapefruit wedges for garnish
Instructions
- First, the salt rim. Pour salt onto a plate, moisten the edge of your glass with a lime wedge and dip it into the salt.
- Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in your glass. Fill it up with ice and mix the cocktail.
- Finish off by pouring sparkling water into the glass, giving it a final gentle stir. You can also add an optional grapefruit wedge for garnish.
Nutrition
Tips and Tricks
- I would highly recommend juicing the grapefruit and lime yourself. Also, high-quality tequila will significantly improve the taste.
- Be sure to evenly distribute the lime juice when moistening the glass before slating it.
- You can adjust the simple syrup quantity, depending on your preference.
- You will see this tip in most of my cocktail recipes, consider chilling your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before rimming the edge and filling it. That’s the secret to keep your cocktails chilled for longer.
Variations
- Skinny Paloma: For a low-carb version , swap out the simple syrup with liquid stevia or your preferred no-calorie sweetener. You can also use a naturally-flavored grapefruit sparkling water instead of grapefruit juice.
- Spicy Paloma: This is a Spicy Margarita cousin. Muddle a small slice or two of jalapeño pepper at the bottom of the glass before adding the other ingredients.
- Mezcal Paloma: Swap tequila for its cousin, mezcal, to create an smoky, earthy flavor in your paloma cocktail.
- Ruby Red Paloma: By using freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice instead of standard grapefruit juice, you’ll have a sweeter and more vibrant drink on your hands.
FAQs
You absolutely can, as per the variation section above, I like using mezcal. You can also use vodka or gin.
Just increase the ingredients by the number of servings or guests. Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher but don’t add the sparkling water. When ready to serve, pour in a rimmed glass with ice and top it off with sparkling water.
Of course! You can make a virgin paloma by skipping the tequila. Just use a zero-proof tequila or more sparkling water. Ritual has a tasty alcohol-free tequila.
If you’ve prepared your paloma cocktail in advance or have leftovers, store it in a sealed container or pitcher in the refrigerator. The cocktail base can be kept fresh for up to 2-3 days, but make sure you haven’t added the sparkling water or ice yet. Otherwise, your cocktail will taste watered down and the fizz will be gone when you’re ready to drink it.
How to Store a Paloma Cocktail
If you’ve prepared your paloma cocktail in advance or have leftovers, store it in a sealed container or pitcher in the refrigerator. The cocktail base can be kept fresh for up to 2-3 days, but make sure you haven’t added the sparkling water or ice yet. Otherwise, your cocktail will taste watered down and the fizz will be gone when you’re ready to drink it.
When you’re ready to serve, give everything a gentle stir. Pour the mixture over ice in salt-rimmed glasses, top with sparkling water, mix, and garnish.
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