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    Home » Cocktails » Tequila

    Paloma Cocktail

    LAST UPDATED: April 16, 2020 PUBLISHED: April 16, 2020 By Pam Greer 7 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    The Paloma Cocktail is an easy and refreshing grapefruit tequila cocktail!  Make it with fresh grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda, tequila and lime juice! 

    Two cocktail glasses filled with a light cocktail and a lime wheel, garnished with a grapefruit wedge.

    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! 

    Click here to pin this delicious tequila cocktail now! 

    Jarritos grapefruit soda, tequila, grapefruit liqueur, a lime and a grapefruit.

    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.

    Photo collage showing glass rimmed in salt and then filled with ice.

    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. 

    Photo collage showing adding tequila and grapefruit liqueur to a collins glass.

    Add 1 ½ ounces of tequila to the glass.

    Optional - add ¼ ounce of grapefruit liqueur.

    Adding lime juice and then stirring the cocktail.

    Pour in ¼ ounce of fresh lime juice. 

    Stir briefly to combine. 

    Photo collage showing lime wheel and grapefruit soda added to cocktail glass.

    Add a lime wheel for garnish.

    Top with the grapefruit soda. 

    Adding a grapefruit wedge to the Paloma cocktail and then the final drink!

    Garnish with a grapefruit wedge! 

    Enjoy! 

    Paloma Cocktail with a lime wheel and a grapefruit wedge.

    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. 

    Click here to pin this fun cocktail now! 

    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

    **Note as an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Cocktail garnished with a lime wheel and grapefruit wedge.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 34 votes

    Paloma Cocktail

    The Paloma Cocktail is an easy and refreshing tequila cocktail! This version is made with grapefruit soda, keeping it extra easy!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Mexican
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 168kcal

    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

    Using the grapefruit liqueur is totally optional, I just happened to have some.  I used Giffard's Créme de Pamplemousse.
    Rimming the glass with salt is optional - I like to use Himalayan Pink Salt. 

    Equipment

    Collins Glass
    Square Ice Cubes
    Bar Spoon

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 2mg

     

    More Tequila Cocktails

    • 9 Blackberry Cocktails that are Bursting with Flavor!
    • Mango Margarita
    • Spicy Jalapeño Blackberry Margarita
    • So Good! Spicy Verde Margarita

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ann says

      April 28, 2022 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing the other drinks as well! I want to give them all a try! They all sound delicious!

      Reply
    2. Freya says

      April 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm

      Any cocktail with tequila and I’m happy, but this was particularly nice, very refreshing and really thirst quenching!

      Reply
    3. Noelle says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      oooo can't wait to try this out!! I love trying next cocktails 🙂

      Reply
    4. Annissa says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    5. Anita says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      Made it with super reduced ingredients: grapefruit, lime, and tequila, and it was still delicious. 🙂

      Reply
    6. Ellen says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:16 pm

      I love trying new cocktails! This sounds amazingly refreshing with the grapefruit soda!

      Reply
    7. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      April 16, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my, this sounds like such a refreshing and delicious cocktail, Perfect for sipping in the garden in the summer heat.

      Reply

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