Paloma Cocktail – A Beautiful Mess

If you love a Margarita but sometimes find them too sweet, a classic Paloma might be your perfect drink. This tequila-based drink uses grapefruit juice and lime. It has just the right balance of sweet and tart citrus.

The Paloma is Mexico’s national drink and most popular cocktail. We definitely recommend ordering this popular cocktail next time you are out. Today, let’s learn a perfect Paloma recipe at home.

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Ingredients in a Paloma

• Tequila – Tequila blanco is the base of this drink.
• Grapefruit Juice – Fresh squeezed if you have it.
• Sparkling Water – Any kind of club soda will do.
• Agave Nectar – For a little added sweetness.
• Fresh Lime Juice – Adds a little extra flavor.
• Course Salt – For the rim. I always keep this salt on hand.

A traditional Paloma is made with grapefruit soda (instead of grapefruit juice and sparkling water). I like this recipe as well, but having tasted both I strongly prefer the grapefruit juice version as it tastes fresher and a little more flavorful.

Instructions

Begin by prepping the salt rim. I use a little honey or agave to cover half of the outer rim of a glass. Dip into course salt to prepare the rim, ensuring that none goes into the glass.

In a cocktail shaker, combine your tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave. Shake with ice for 10-15 seconds.

Pour into a glass filled with ice. Top the glass with sparkling water and stir.

Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

What does a Paloma taste like?

A Paloma cocktail tastes like a grapefruit version of a margarita. It’s a bit less sweet and lighter with the addition of sparkling water. It’s a delicious tequila cocktail.

History of a Paloma cocktail

Paloma translates to “Dove” in Spanish. This drink likely originated in the 1950s, made first by bartender Don Javier Delgado Corona in Tequila, Mexico. It may have been named after the popular folk song “La Paloma.” However this cocktail was created, we’re glad it was and has now stood the test of time with decades of popularity.

Tips for Making

• Salting the rim is not necessary, but I love what it adds to this cocktail. I never skip it. I like to use course kosher salt or margarita salt.
• Fresh grapefruit juice is worth the effort and more delicious for sure. That said, I use store-bought juice often. No one will judge you.
• If you don’t have tequila blanco available, you can substitute it for lightly aged reposado tequila. We don’t recommend anejo tequila (anything that has been aged for a long time).
• My favorite glass to serve a Paloma in is a simple rocks glass.
• If you don’t have agave nectar, you can substitute for honey syrup or simple syrup.

Paloma Variations

• Paloma with Grapefruit Soda – You can use a sweetened grapefruit soda (like Jarritos or Squirt) in place of club soda and grapefruit juice. Omit agave syrup if you use this variation.
• Mezcal Paloma – Create a smokier, more intense cocktail by replacing tequila with mezcal.
• Spicy Paloma – Muddle some sliced jalapeño peppers in the grapefruit juice before mixing the rest of your cocktail. Serve with a jalapeño on top.
• Pink Paloma – Choose ruby red grapefruit juice to create a pink cocktail.

Serving Suggestions/Goes Great With

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