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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe

    Published: Mar 19, 2020 · Updated: Feb 26, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    (Not Quite a) Paloma

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Palomas are a classic Mexican cocktail, but margaritas still outrank them in popularity in the United States. This delicious grapefruit Paloma cocktail recipe uses ingredients easily found at the grocery store to craft a refreshing classic cocktail.

    (Not Quite a) Paloma
    Jump to:
    • 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
    • Classic Grapefruit Paloma Recipe

    Margaritas are my favorite drink and 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

    Ingredients for grapefruit paloma cocktails.
    • A grapefruit 
    • A lime
    • Silver tequila
    • Simple syrup
    • Grapefruit 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 

    Classic Margarita
    Classic Margarita
    Citrus Margaritas
    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.

    Do I have to use fresh juice? 

    Yes! This drink has 5 ingredients, and 2 of those are citrus juice. Take the time to squeeze fresh juice. You’ll need about ½ of a grapefruit and ½ of a lime per cocktail. 

    What kind of grapefruit soda should I use? 

    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. 

    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. 

    Glasses of Paloma cocktails.

    More Delicious Grapefruit Recipes You'll Love

    • Refreshing Paloma Grapefruit Mocktail (Non Alcoholic)
    • How to Make Grapefruit Simple Syrup for Drinks
    • Refreshing Gin Grapefruit Cocktail with Elderflower
    • Simple and Delicious Brown Sugar Grapefruit Cocktail (Video)
    • How to Make Grapefruit Tequila - DIY Infused Liquor

    Print the Recipe Card

    Print

    Classic Grapefruit Paloma Recipe

    (Not Quite a) Paloma
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

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

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Cocktail Shaker
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 3 oz fresh grapefruit juice
    • 2 oz silver tequila
    • 1 oz simple syrup
    • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
    • 1-2 oz grapefruit soda or grapefruit sparkling water

    Instructions

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

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

    Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or lime slice. 

    Stir, sip and enjoy!

    Equipment

    Image of Highball Glass

    Highball Glass

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    Cocktail Shaker

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    Jigger

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    Notes

    To make simple syrup, combine ½ cup hot water with ½ cup cane sugar or agave syrup and stir until sugar is dissolved. Cool completely before using. 

    Keywords: grapefruit, paloma, cocktail, drinks, drinking, tequila cocktails, homemade happy hour

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

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    I love when you share my recipes!

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    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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