If summer had a go-to drink, the Paloma cocktail would be it. It’s bright, bubbly and zesty in that way that makes you feel like you’re three sips away from booking a flight. Even if you’re just barefoot on your patio, this drink brings rooftop energy.
Paloma is tart but not too sharp, crisp but not too sweet and it always tastes like you’re celebrating something… even if that something is just getting through the week without losing it.
And the best part? It’s low effort. You don’t need a full bar setup or a bartending degree. Just a few ingredients, a little mix and suddenly you’re sipping on something that feels like vacation.
Poolside hang? Paloma. Backyard BBQ? Paloma. Survived Monday? Still Paloma.
Why the Paloma Hits Just Right
You’ve got sweet, sour, fizzy and just enough salt to make it pop. It’s the kind of combo that wakes up your taste buds without trying too hard.
From the first sip, you get that hit of grapefruit: fresh and sharp in the best way. Then the bubbles show up and bring the party. Add a salted rim and everything clicks. That little edge of salt sharpens the citrus and gives each sip a little drama.
It’s sunshine in a glass… light, crisp and just sassy enough to keep it interesting.
Ingredients That Know How to Party
The Paloma might feel like a new-school cocktail, but it’s been around for a while. Most say it started showing up in Mexico in the mid-1900s, quietly becoming the country’s most loved tequila drink.
While the Margarita got all the fame, the Paloma was in the background doing its thing: simple, refreshing and totally unbothered.
At the heart of it is tequila, blanco or reposado, your call. It’s smooth and bold and carries the drink like it was born for it.
Then there’s fresh grapefruit juice bringing that citrusy punch that keeps everything bright. Lime steps in to add that little zing that ties it all together.
And here’s where the real fun happens: grapefruit soda. Fizzy, sweet and sharp, it’s the thing that turns a solid drink into a really good one. It gives the Paloma that sparkling finish that makes it feel light even when the tequila’s doing the heavy lifting.
Salt That Rim Like You Mean It
This part? Don’t skip it.
Rimming the glass with lime then dipping it into salt isn’t just for looks, it’s a flavor move. That little hit of salt makes the citrus stand out and gives the whole drink a sharper edge.
It’s the detail that takes it from good to great. You’ll taste it in the first sip and suddenly the grapefruit feels brighter, the tequila smoother and the whole thing more put together.
Best Tips for Making a Paloma at Home
Making a Paloma at home is quick, fresh and way easier than it looks, as long as you hit the right notes. Here’s how to keep it chill and still make it taste like you ordered it from a beach bar.
- Keep it simple. You don’t need fancy tools or mixology tricks. Just a shaker, fresh citrus and good tequila.
- Shake gently. Mix the tequila, grapefruit juice and lime over ice with a light shake. You’re waking it up, not sending it to the gym.
- Use fresh juice. Fresh grapefruit and lime make all the difference. Bottled stuff dulls the vibe.
- Salt the rim first. Do this before anything else so it sticks well and doesn’t get rushed at the end.
- Top with soda last. Add grapefruit soda after straining your mix into the glass. That fizz is key.
- Garnish like you care. A wedge of pink grapefruit or a lime wheel makes it feel finished. Not just pretty, it hints at what’s inside.
- Heads-up on grapefruit. If you’re on certain meds like statins, double check with your doc before going full grapefruit mode. Better safe than sidelined.
A Classic with Serious Personality
The Grapefruit Paloma isn’t just refreshing, it’s a whole mood. Bright citrus, a little salty flair and that bubbly finish that keeps pulling you back in. It’s the kind of drink that makes every sip feel like the start of something fun.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice
- 2 oz Grapefruit Soda (like Squirt or Fresca)
- Salt for rimming glass
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Zero-proof version: Swap the tequila for sparkling water or a splash of grapefruit kombucha to keep it booze-free but still full of flavor.
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: Rim a highball glass with lime juice and dip it into salt to coat the rim.
- Mix Ingredients: In a shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, fresh grapefruit juice and lime juice. Shake gently to combine.
- Build the Drink: Fill the prepared glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Top off with grapefruit soda.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit or a lime wheel. Enjoy your refreshing Paloma cocktail!
Prep Times
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fat: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
Want to try some more Tequila cocktails? Why not try a classic Margarita or a Tequila Sunrise?
To pin for later:
Paloma Cocktail
A Paloma cocktail - refreshing blend of tequila, grapefruit soda and juice, and a dash of lime—bright, citrusy, and effortlessly cool, like a sunset in a glass.
Ingredients
- 60 ml Tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 29 ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 15 ml Lime Juice
- 60ml Grapefruit Soda (like Squirt or Fresca)
- Salt for rimming glass
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: Rim a highball glass with lime juice and dip it into salt to coat the rim.
- Mix Ingredients: In a shaker filled with ice, combine tequila, fresh grapefruit juice and lime juice. Shake gently to combine.
- Build the Drink: Fill the prepared glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Top off with grapefruit soda.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit or a lime wheel. Enjoy your refreshing Paloma cocktail!
Notes
Swap the tequila for sparkling water or a splash of grapefruit kombucha to keep it booze-free but still full of flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 349Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 101527mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 3gSugar: 50gProtein: 2g
This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.
