Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe

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This delicious grapefruit Paloma cocktail recipe uses ingredients easily found at the grocery store to craft a refreshing classic cocktail.

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Ingredients
How to Make a Paloma Cocktail
Recipe Tips
Don’t Miss These Tequila Cocktails
FAQs and Substitutions
More Delicious Grapefruit Recipes You'll Love
Print the Recipe Card

Palomas are a classic Mexican cocktail (it's the national drink of Mexico!), though margaritas still outrank them in popularity in the United States.

And Margaritas are my favorite drink. Originally stocked tequila in my home bar just for them - but then I learned about other tequila drinks like the Paloma.

With its perfect combination of fresh juice and grapefruit flavor, a Paloma has quickly risen to the top of my list of favorite happy hour sips.

Ingredients

Fresh grapefruit and fresh lime - The difference between a good cocktail and a great cocktail is fresh citrus. Squeeze fresh fruit for this cocktail. You'll need about half of a grapefruit and half of a lime for this Paloma.
Silver tequila - Skip the gold tequilas and go for a clear, silver tequila for this Paloma recipe.
Simple syrup - Make your own simple syrup for this recipe, just be sure to give it enough time to chill before using it.
Grapefruit soda - I love using Jarritos Grapefruit soda in this drink. But I also enjoy a less sweet Paloma and often choose to use grapefruit sparkling water or club soda in this cocktail in place of the grapefruit-flavored soda.

How to Make a Paloma Cocktail

Combine tequila, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Tequila being poured into a cocktail shaker

Shake it all up.

Strain into a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Top with grapefruit soda or sparkling water.

Stir, sip and enjoy!

Garnish with a grapefruit slice or lime wedge.

A paloma cocktail garnished with a slice of grapefruit.

Recipe Tips

Like a margarita, this cocktail is delicious with a salt rim! Run a piece of grapefruit around the rim of your glass and dip it in a small plate of coarse salt or flaky sea salt before you add ice cubes and pour your drink.
Want a Paloma recipe without grapefruit soda? Simply make this recipe as directed, leaving out the soda and serve it in a rocks glass.

Don’t Miss These Tequila Cocktails

If you love Palomas, try this Mezcal Paloma variation or a refreshing Cantaritos cocktail with even more citrus. Or make one of my favorite tequila drinks - a margarita. I have lots of margarita recipes on my site, like this classic margarita or my triple citrus margaritas.

A hand picking up a glass of citrus margarita. — Triple Citrus Margaritas

FAQs and Substitutions

What kind of tequila should I use?

Your favorite blanco tequila (aka silver tequila) is best in this cocktail. I use Jose Cuervo in my drinks because it’s affordable, easily available, and tastes great in this Paloma cocktail.

Is a Paloma like a Salty Dog Cocktail?

Only in that they both have fresh grapefruit juice. A salty dog has a heavily salted rim and combines gin with grapefruit, whereas most Palomas are served without salt and contain tequila. But if you love one of these cocktails, you should definitely try out the other.

More Delicious Grapefruit Recipes You'll Love

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Classic Grapefruit Paloma Recipe

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Grapefruit and tequila are a delicious combination! This classic Paloma cocktail is bright, refreshing, and a tasty alternative to a traditional margarita.