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    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe

    Modified: Jun 4, 2025 · Published: Mar 19, 2020 by Katy McAvoy

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

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    Paloma Cocktail.

    Made with grapefruit soda, fresh grapefruit juice, and a splash of lime, a Paloma is an easy-to-love cocktail that’s lighter and more refreshing than many other tequila cocktails. Bright, citrusy, and refreshingly fizzy, it's a drink that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart.

    Two glasses of Palomas garnished with large slices of grapefruit.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients in a Paloma Cocktail
    • How to Make a Paloma Cocktail (Step by Step)
    • Classic Paloma Cocktail Recipe
    • Recipe Tips
    • Don’t Miss These Tequila Drinks 
    • More Delicious Grapefruit Recipes You'll Love

    Palomas are a classic Mexican cocktail (it's the national drink of Mexico!), though margaritas still outrank them in popularity in the United States. Like so many classic cocktails, the history of the Paloma is a bit of a question mark.

    Many credit its creation to Don Javier Delgado Corona, the same legendary bartender behind the Batanga cocktail and owner of the iconic La Capilla bar in Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico. Whether or not he was the first to mix tequila with grapefruit soda, the drink has long been a favorite in Mexico for its simplicity and thirst-quenching qualities.

    With its quick preparation, refreshing flavor, and simple ingredients easily found at your local grocery stores, the Paloma deserves a spot in your cocktail rotation. Whether you go with the classic grapefruit soda version or a smokey mezcal Paloma twist, this cocktail is sure to become a favorite go-to.

    Ingredients in a Paloma Cocktail

    Palomas are all about fresh flavors, so don't even think about using bottled juices in this cocktail! Only the real fruit will do.

    • Fresh grapefruit and fresh lime - The difference between a good cocktail and a great cocktail is fresh juice. Skip the bottled juice and squeeze fresh citrus for this cocktail. You'll need about half of a grapefruit and half of a lime for this Paloma.
    • Silver tequila - Tequila blanco (aka silver tequila or white tequila) is the traditional choice in this cocktail. Choose your favorite brand.  
    • Simple syrup - Simple syrup is super easy to make at home with only 2 ingredients and your microwave. Make it for this recipe, just be sure to give it time to chill before using it. Want to use a different sweetener? Swap it out for agave nectar. 
    • 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, Topo Chico, or club soda in this cocktail in place of the grapefruit-flavored soda. 
    Ingredients for grapefruit paloma cocktails.

    How to Make a Paloma Cocktail (Step by Step)

    A hand pouring tequila from a jigger into a cocktail shaker.

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

    A hand pouring Paloma cocktail into a glass filled with ice.

    Shake it all up. Strain into a tall, highball glass filled with ice cubes.

    A hand pouring sparkling water from a brown bottle into a glass of Paloma cocktail.

    Top with grapefruit soda or sparkling water.

    A hand placing a large slice of grapefruit down the inside of a glass of Paloma cocktail.

    Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime wedge. Stir, sip and enjoy!

    Glasses of Paloma cocktails garnished with large slices of grapefruit.
    Glasses of Paloma cocktails garnished with large slices of grapefruit.

    Classic Paloma Cocktail Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    Grapefruit and tequila are a delicious combination! This classic Paloma cocktail is bright, refreshing, and a tasty alternative to a traditional margarita. 
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Highball Glasses
    • Jigger

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 oz grapefruit juice fresh squeezed
    • 2 oz blanco tequila
    • 1 oz simple syrup
    • 0.5 oz lime juice fresh squeezed
    • 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.
      3 oz grapefruit juice, 2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz simple syrup, 0.5 oz lime juice
    • Shake it all up. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Top with grapefruit soda or sparkling water.
      1-2 oz grapefruit soda
    • Gently stir your drink. 
    • Garnish with grapefruit slices, a grapefruit wedge, or a lime wedge. 
    • Sip and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 24mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    Recipe Tips

    • Create an easy Paloma variation by changing up the tequila in your cocktail. Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels and tastes entirely different from blanco tequila. Or for a smoky twist, use Mezcal in place of the silver tequila. 
    • 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.
    • The type of grapefruit you choose will change both the flavor and color of your cocktail. White grapefruit tends to be more tart and will produce slightly yellow grapefruit juice. Red grapefruit (used in the photos on this page) will be naturally sweeter and produce pink grapefruit juice. 
    • Make it a Spicy Paloma by adding slices of jalapeño peppers to your cocktail shaker before shaking up your drink. 
    • Want a stronger Paloma without the fizz? Simply make this recipe as directed, leaving out the soda and serve it in a rocks glass.
    Glasses of Paloma cocktails garnished with large slices of grapefruit.

    Don’t Miss These Tequila Drinks 

    If you love citrus drinks, try a three ingredient ranch water tequila cocktail, a simple batanga cocktail, or a fruity tequila sunrise with orange juice. 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.

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

    More Delicious Grapefruit Recipes You'll Love

    • Paloma Grapefruit Mocktail
      Grapefruit Paloma Mocktail Recipe (Non Alcoholic)
    • A jar of grapefruit simple syrup.
      How to Make Grapefruit Simple Syrup for Drinks
    • Grapefruit and Elderflower Cocktails
      Grapefruit Gin Cocktail with Elderflower
    • A glass of bourbon grapefruit cocktail.
      Bourbon Grapefruit Cocktail

    About Katy McAvoy

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

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    1. Tammy S says

      December 26, 2024 at 8:10 pm

      Hi Katy, how do I adapt the cocktail recipes with an infused liquor? for example, if I make a grapefruit infused vodka, does that mean I just substitute the vodka in a paloma recipe? or also the grapefruit juice? please advise. thank you.

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy says

        December 27, 2024 at 3:54 pm

        Hi Tammy! Just swap out the liquor that's called for with the infused liquor. So in your example, swap the regular vodka for the grapefruit infused vodka. Leave the other ingredients in the recipe as is to maintain the balance of the cocktail. Hope this helps!

        Reply
    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    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 everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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