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The Paloma pairs tequila and grapefruit soda to make the most refreshing sweet tart drink! This classic Mexican cocktail is easy to make at home—this spin is our favorite recipe starring real grapefruit (or soda, if you prefer).
Looking for a refreshing tequila cocktail? Try the Paloma! Cousin of the margarita, the Paloma is a a classic Mexican cocktail that pairs tequila with grapefruit instead of lime. Switching up the citrus brings in a unique flavor—it’s one of Alex and my favorite drinks because it’s so zingy, bubbly, and refreshing!
The Paloma is perfect for happy hour, or you can water it down as a brunch drink, too. The salt rim brings out that sweet tart flavor even more! Our spin on the classic drink uses real grapefruit juice, but you can also make it with grapefruit soda.
What’s in a Paloma cocktail?
Why is it called a Paloma? Paloma means “dove” in Spanish. The history around the drink is a bit murky, though many believe it to have originated in the 1950’s. Some attribute the drink to a legendary bartender in Tequila, Mexico named Don Javier Delgado Corona (source). It’s possible it could be named after a popular folk song called “La Paloma.”
A classic Paloma is just two ingredients: tequila and grapefruit soda. However, we like to make a homemade soda using fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, lime juice, and soda water. It turns out perfectly balanced: sweet, tart, and with the sharp undertone of tequila. Make whatever version you prefer!
Tips for making a salt rim
We recommend using kosher salt or flaky salt for the salt rim on a Paloma. Avoid using iodized table salt: it tastes much too salty! Here are a few tips to making a salt rim:
- Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer.
- Take a grapefruit wedge and cut a notch in the middle: then slide it around the rim of the glass. This moistens the glass rim without having to use your fingers.
- Tilt the glass and gently turn so the outside edge goes into the salt. Try to keep the salt on the outside rim. Shake off any loose salt into the sink.
Variations on the Paloma
Want to add a unique spin to your Paloma? Here are a few ideas:
- Mezcal: Try it with mezcal! This agave-based liquor goes well with tequila drinks to give them a smoky nuance. Go to Mezcal Paloma.
- Jalapeño: Slice a jalapeño pepper into 3 thin slices, then shake it in a cocktail shaker with the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup before pouring in a glass and topping with soda water.
- Strawberry: Use strawberry syrup instead of simple syrup.
- Ginger: Use ginger simple syrup instead of simple syrup.
Love grapefruit cocktails? Try the Greyhound, Salty Dog Cocktail, Brown Derby, Hemingway Daiquiri, or Sea Breeze.
Dress it up with clear ice
Clear ice is artisanal ice used in cocktails because of its crystal clear look and beautiful organic shapes. We made a batch of clear ice for this Paloma, and it made it look stunning! Alex worked out a method so you can make clear ice at home, and it’s so easy. All you need is a small cooler and 24 hours. Here’s How to Make Clear Ice.
Paloma Recipe
The Paloma pairs tequila and grapefruit soda to make the most refreshing sweet tart drink! This classic Mexican cocktail is easy to make at home—this spin is our favorite recipe starring real grapefruit (or soda, if you prefer).
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces* tequila blanco
- ½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces** fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce soda water
- Flaky sea salt & grapefruit wedge, for the garnish
Instructions
- Cut a notch in the grapefruit wedge, then run the grapefruit around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt.
- To the glass, add the tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup and stir until combined.
- Fill the glass with ice (clear ice if you want to get fancy!). Top with soda water and serve!
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
**Or, substitute 4 ounces grapefruit soda for the grapefruit juice, simple syrup and soda water.
Variations and related drinks
There are a few drinks that are similar to a Paloma cocktail:
- The Cantarito is similar to a Paloma, but adds a few more citrus juices.
- A Greyhound uses grapefruit juice and gin, and a Salty Dog adds a salt rim.
- This Margarita recipe is our favorite, but you can also try it Skinny, Italian, Jalapeno, Cadillac, as Sangria, or Frozen.
- The Tequila Sunrise is another famous tequila cocktail that looks like the colors of a summer sunrise.
I made myself a Paloma tonight following your recipe with the exception that I did not add soda. Combined all the other ingredients in a shaker with ice, rimmed a frozen martini glass with grapefruit juice and tajin, gave the ingredients a good shake with the ice and poured into the glass. It WAS delicious!
Love this drink! Instead of salt on the rim, try tajin…yum!
dlicate ingredients will recommend
Amazing, i love this blog
great recipe my husband and kids love it thanks
Great articles
This sounds and looks so refreshing. I must try this recipe soon.
Loved this drink; used lime Perrier for the soda water. Refreshing!
An interesting and unique flavour!
Would it be ok if I made the base — tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, syrup — in a batch so I could put it in a pitcher, then pour several glasses and add soda as needed?
Yes! I’d do it the same day if possible because the grapefruit juice will start to lose it’s zing after a few hours.
Had a fresh grapefruit sitting around so I’m happy I stumbled on this recipe. It came out great! I have a little bottle of real maple syrup I keep in the fridge so I used that. YUM!