Paloma
Move over, margarita!
Serves1
Makes1 drink
Prep5 minutes
If it’s summertime, you can bet I’m ordering a tequila cocktail. In my opinion, it’s the most refreshing choice. And while I love a classic margarita as much as the next person, they can be a bit boozy for me (sometimes). That’s where the paloma comes in. A combination of fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and tequila are topped with a floater of sparkling water to lighten everything up. Sure, you could just use grapefruit soda, but here I love the fresh juice and less-sugary flavor of a cocktail made from scratch.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s fresh and light. Fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water keep this cocktail from being too boozy or too sweet.
- It comes together fast! This drink may taste fancy, but it only takes 5 minutes to make.
Key Ingredients in a Paloma
- Grapefruit: Fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice makes all the difference.
- Lime: A squeeze of lime complements the grapefruit flavor and adds a little extra tartness.
- Tequila: Go for blanco (or silver) tequila, which is the least aged and most agave-forward. You don’t need a really expensive bottle — just make sure to use one you like.
- Agave nectar: Add a touch of sweetness to balance the citrus juice.
- Sparkling water: A generous floater of bubbly water keeps the drink from being too boozy.
How to Make a Paloma
- Salt your rim. Moisten the rim of an Old-Fashioned or margarita glass with a lime wedge, then dip in kosher salt to coat.
- Shake the ingredients. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, blanco tequila, and agave nectar simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice, seal, and shake until very frosty.
- Strain and enjoy. Pour the cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer, top with sparkling water, and garnish with a grapefruit slice.
Helpful Swaps
- Rim the glasses with zippy Tajín for an extra boost of spice.
- Swap tequila for smoky mezcal.
- Use honey instead of agave syrup.
- Instead of agave and sparkling water, use grapefruit soda.
- Buy fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice instead of squeezing it yourself (this is ideal for bigger batches).
More Tequila Cocktails
Paloma Recipe
Move over, margarita!
Prep time 5 minutes
Makes 1 drink
Serves 1
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons
Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 1
medium lime
Ice
- 1
medium red or pink grapefruit
- 2 ounces
blanco tequila
- 1/4 ounce
agave nectar or simple syrup
- 2 ounces
cold sparkling water or club soda
Instructions
Spread 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt in an even layer on a small flat plate. Halve 1 medium lime. Cut 1 lime wedge from one half. Run the lime wedge over the rim of a Collins or Old-Fashioned glass to moisten. Invert the glass into the salt, turning it as needed, to coat the rim. Fill the glass with ice.
Halve 1 medium red or pink grapefruit. Cut 1 grapefruit slice from one half, then juice the remaining pieces until you have 2 ounces. Place the grapefruit juice in a cocktail shaker. Juice the lime pieces until you have 1/2 ounce, then add to the shaker. Add 2 ounces blanco tequila and 1/4 ounce agave nectar. Fill the shaker halfway with ice, seal, and shake until the outside of the shaker is very frosty, about 20 seconds.
Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into the glass. Top with 2 ounces sparkling water. Garnish with the grapefruit slice.