The Paloma Cocktail is an easy and refreshing grapefruit tequila cocktail! Make it with fresh grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda, tequila and lime juice!
While reading about margaritas (yes, I spend my time reading about margaritas) I stumbled upon a Paloma Drink. It was similar to a margarita with tequila and lime juice, but instead of orange liqueur, it used grapefruit.
The first thing you notice when researching the Paloma is that there are two options. One is to use fresh grapefruit juice and club soda, the other is to use a grapefruit flavored soda, like Fresca or Jarritos.
While I had no doubt that the fresh grapefruit juice/club soda would be amazing, I was also intrigued by those bottles of Jarritos soda that I see in the International Aisle of the grocery store.
I also happened to have some Giffard Créme de Pamplemousse - a pink grapefruit liqueur that I bought because it sounded yummy and was a pretty pink color (yes I will buy a liqueur if it's a pretty pink color.) This is totally optional, so don't feel like you have to run out and buy some - though it is delicious!
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Ingredients
Jarritos Grapefruit Soda - can substitute Fresca, Squirt or grapefruit juice with club soda.
Tequila - could also use a Mezcal if you wanted a more smokey flavor.
Giffard Pamplemousse - grapefruit liqueur - totally optional!
Lime - for juice and garnishing.
Grapefruit - I used it for garnish, since I didn't use fresh grapefruit juice.
Step by step making a Paloma drink
Rim the glass with salt - this is totally optional. I decided to just rim half of the glass. To do that I rubbed a lime wedge on half of the glass and then dipped it into salt. You can use Kosher salt, I like Himalayan pink salt.
Since this cocktail is built in glass, fill a glass with ice cubes.
Add 1 ½ ounces of tequila to the glass.
Optional - add ¼ ounce of grapefruit liqueur.
Pour in ¼ ounce of fresh lime juice.
Stir briefly to combine.
Add a lime wheel for garnish.
Top with the grapefruit soda.
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge!
Enjoy!
Such an easy and refreshing cocktail. While I don't think it will take the place of my beloved margaritas, it is definitely fun for a change of pace. When we bought the grapefruit soda, we also bought a couple of other flavors - so we'll give them a try.
This would be a fun cocktail for a party. Mix up the tequila and lime juice and then people can just pour some of that in their glass and top with the soda. A sort of mix your own cocktail. They could make it as strong as they like.
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More tequila cocktails for you to try:
Mango Margarita - such a pretty color and so delicious.
Spicy Jalapeño Blackberry Margarita - a blog favorite!
Watermelon Infused Tequila - a must make this summer.
Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila - I don't have to tell you that this makes amazing cocktails!
Recipe
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Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- ¼ ounce grapefruit liqueur optional
- ¼ ounce lime juice
- 4 ounces grapefruit soda
- lime wedge for garnish
- grapefruit wedge for garnish
- kosher salt optional, for rim
Instructions
- If salting the rim, rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip in salt.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add tequila, grapefruit liqueur and lime juice. Stir briefly.
- Add lime wheel and top with grapefruit soda.
- Add grapefruit wedge for garnish.
Notes
Equipment
Video
Nutrition
Ann says
Thanks for sharing the other drinks as well! I want to give them all a try! They all sound delicious!
Freya says
Any cocktail with tequila and I’m happy, but this was particularly nice, very refreshing and really thirst quenching!
Noelle says
oooo can't wait to try this out!! I love trying next cocktails 🙂
Annissa says
What a refreshing twist on a margarita! I'm a huge grapefruit fan, so this is a must-try. I also love your idea of using Himalayan salt on the rim. The pink looks so nice with the grapefruit.
Anita says
Made it with super reduced ingredients: grapefruit, lime, and tequila, and it was still delicious. 🙂
Ellen says
I love trying new cocktails! This sounds amazingly refreshing with the grapefruit soda!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Oh my, this sounds like such a refreshing and delicious cocktail, Perfect for sipping in the garden in the summer heat.