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Easy mocktail recipes are a fun option to have at the ready for your home bar. grapefruit Paloma mocktails are one of those recipes, mixing up quickly as a perfect addition to your homemade happy hour chips and salsa.
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This non alcoholic version of a traditional Paloma cocktail doesn’t stray far from its classic counterpart. Traditional Palomas are a tequila-based cocktail with grapefruit, lime and grapefruit-flavored soda.
Fresh grapefruit juice and fresh lime juice are in both drinks, but this Paloma mocktail gets an additional infusion of grapefruit - along with a touch of sweetness - from grapefruit infused simple syrup. Club soda is more likely to be on hand in my house, so I'm using it instead of the grapefruit soda for a well rounded and refreshing drink.
To keep this closer to its classic cocktail namesake, we're skipping the ginger beer, fresh rosemary and maple syrup, in favor of classic, simple ingredients. This delicious Paloma mocktail is the perfect drink to provide as an alcohol-free option at your next party.
I especially love this mocktail as a great alternative for teens who want a more grown-up drink but aren't ready for an adult beverage. Make this virgin Paloma recipe for the whole family!
Whether you choose a salt rim (highly recommend!), or skip it, this delicious sparkling grapefruit mocktail is the perfect sip for your next Taco Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo, or any hot summer day.
Ingredients for Paloma Mocktails
- Fresh grapefruit and fresh lime - With so few ingredients, fresh fruits are a must for this mocktail recipe. Squeeze a fresh grapefruit and fresh lime for your drinks. You'll need half of each fruit per drink you plan to make.
- Grapefruit simple syrup - Quick and easy to make, this grapefruit simple syrup uses the peel from the fruit (plus water and sugar) for an added layer of flavor.
- Club soda - This is the fizzy element, so choose plain soda water or use a non-flavored sparkling water.
- Coarse salt - Optional, but highly recommended, for a salted rim that really brings this drink to life.
How to Make Paloma Mocktails
Run a piece of grapefruit around the rim of a rocks glass and dip the rim of the glass in a small plate of coarse salt. Fill with ice and set aside.
Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and grapefruit simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well and pour into your prepared glass.
Top with club soda or sparkling water.
Garnish with a lime wedge or small slice of grapefruit. Stir and enjoy!
Making Grapefruit Simple Syrup
With only three ingredients, making grapefruit simple syrup at home is quick and easy to do. Before you make this mocktail, peel the grapefruit and make this fast syrup. Then use the rest of the grapefruit you peeled in this Paloma mocktail recipe!
What kind of grapefruit should I use?
Red grapefruit or pink grapefruit are the sweetest and will give the best flavor. White grapefruit will work too, but they tend to be more sour so you may need to add an additional 0.25 oz of grapefruit simple syrup to the drink. Just be sure to taste it before you pour and adjust the sweetness to your taste.
Looking for More Citrus Mocktail Recipes?
If you have lots of citrus on hand, make my Blueberry Grapefruit Mocktail, a refreshing Non-Alcoholic Margarita, or try my Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Citrus Punch Mocktail made with fresh oranges and limes, or a Strawberry Limeade mocktail.
Happy Hour Snack Pairings
Since the Paloma is the national drink of Mexico (not the margarita!), it's only fitting to enjoy your Virgin Paloma Mocktail with my 5 minute blender salsa and some homemade tortilla chips!
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Grapefruit Paloma Mocktails (Non Alcoholic)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 oz grapefruit juice fresh squeezed
- 0.5 oz lime juice fresh squeezed
- 1.5 oz grapefruit syrup
- 2 oz club soda
- Coarse salt garnish
Instructions
- Run a piece of grapefruit around the rim of a glass and dip the rim in a small plate of coarse salt. Fill with ice cubes and set aside.Coarse salt
- Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and grapefruit simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.3 oz grapefruit juice, 0.5 oz lime juice, 1.5 oz grapefruit syrup
- Shake well and pour into the prepared glass.
- Top with club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.2 oz club soda
- Stir and enjoy!
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