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Easy Paloma Recipe

BySharon Garofalow Published
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This easy Paloma recipe is ready in just minutes and one of the most delicious tequila cocktails you can make. It’s big on flavor and low on effort.

I love mixing up a paloma with grapefruit juice at home because I know I can get the flavors exactly as I want them. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a crisp, citrusy drink that you’ll crave.

A tequila paloma cocktail in a glass rimmed in blue garnished with grapefruit slices and next to a lime and grapefruit on a wood tray.

QUICK LOOK: Easy Paloma Recipe

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Servings: 1
  • Calories: ~183 (based on nutrition panel in recipe card)
  • Main Ingredients: grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, sparkling water, agave
  • Equipment: cocktail shaker
  • Elements of Taste: Slightly bitter but balanced and citrusy
  • Difficulty: Super Easy

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This easy Paloma recipe is one of my favorite tequila drinks to sip on a warm, sunny day.

I recently taste-tested several homemade Palomas with a friend. There are many different ways to make this cocktail, so I wanted to dial in which I like best.

When you order them out, you never really know what flavor you are going to get. This is one of those drink and cocktail recipes that can be tailored to your own preferences so you’re always drinking the perfect Paloma.

The recipe I’m sharing uses fresh grapefruit juice (refreshing grapefruit flavor). In fact, my friend, who does not enjoy grapefruit-flavored drinks, likes the version made with grapefruit soda the best (which is much more subtle in grapefruit flavor).

Why You’ll Love This Easy Paloma Recipe

  • With just 5 ingredients, this easy Paloma recipe is ready in just minutes.
  • The flavor is balanced (thanks to a little agave syrup), making it absolutely delicious and not bitter like grapefruit can sometimes be.
  • It’s a great option if you love a tequila cocktail but don’t want a margarita on the rocks.
  • There are countless variations and ingredients you can use to suit your own flavor preferences, which I’ll share with you in my guide to making Palomas at home below.

Related: 30+ Grapefruit Juice Cocktails

What is a Paloma cocktail?

A classic Paloma is made from just tequila and grapefruit soda (you know I love two-ingredient drinks like this vodka and Coke cocktail). The recipe has been updated, over the years, to include more of a craft cocktail taste (more balanced and more fresh grapefruit taste).

It is said to have been created in Mexico but the true origin has never been pinned down. Based on previous vacations to Mexico, I would say that a Paloma is more popular there than a margarita.

For more grapefruit cocktail recipes, try my Grapefruit Sunrise with Vodka, Peach Paloma recipe, Grapefruit and Basil Gin Cocktail, and Grapefruit Vodka Tonic.

Ingredients

Text: Labeled ingredients to make an easy Paloma cocktail.
  • Tequila: I prefer blanco tequila. Here’s what I think is the best tequila for margaritas that will also work for Palomas. Make sure it’s 100% blue agave tequila.
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice: I like to use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice from ruby red grapefruits. You can also use white or pink, but you may have to add a little bit more sweetener.
  • Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is always best!
  • Agave Nectar: I like to use agave (nectar or syrup – they are the same thing) to sweeten my Paloma since this is a tequila (made from agave) cocktail.
  • Sparkling Water: I like to use plain unflavored sparkling water. It adds a nice fizz, and also smoothes out the slightly bitter fresh grapefruit flavor.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list.

Classic Substitutions

  • Grapefruit Soda – Many Paloma recipes call for grapefruit soda. Squirt is the brand most associated with Palomas. To me, it has a very subtle grapefruit taste. I wouldn’t say I could identify the flavor as grapefruit. (Jarrito’s also has a grapefruit option but my store didn’t have it). But fresh lime juice and grapefruit soda must be used together to get the best flavor.
  • Cold-Pressed Grapefruit Juice – If you are making a lot of Palomas for friends, I’d suggest using store-bought cold-pressed grapefruit juice. It’s as close to fresh-squeezed as you can find. While my easy Paloma recipe is lighter in color, Paloma cocktails made with the cold-pressed juice have a really pretty pink color. And I preferred the paloma variation that had store-bought juice over the grapefruit soda.
  • Store-Bought Grapefruit Juice – Simply Grapefruit is good quality and easier to find in most stores than cold-pressed juice. It’s also 100% ruby red grapefruit juice.
  • Grapefruit Drink – You can also use grapefruit drink (like Ocean Spray), but it usually has other ingredients, including added sugar. If you use this to make a Paloma, taste it before adding any additional sweetener.
  • Tequila – I like to use blanco tequila, but you can also use reposado if you prefer.
  • Flavored Sparkling Water: Spindrift Grapefruit Sparkling Water (it uses real grapefruit juice for a fantastic flavor) is a good way to add a little bit more real grapefruit taste. Brands like Q, Fever Tree, Fresca and La Croix also have grapefruit sparkling water.
  • Sweetener – You can use simple syrup instead of agave if you prefer.

Variations

  • Spicy – Muddle in some sliced jalapenos for a spicy kick. (Or use serranos like I do in my serrano margarita).
  • Rimmed – Serve this with a salted rim, Tajin rim or sugar rim! All of them would be a delicious pairing for this Paloma. (Here’s how to rim a glass). The salt is a really nice balance with the rest of the flavors in the drink.
  • Herbs – Muddle fresh herbs like basil or rosemary, which all work really well with grapefruit. Or make a basil simple syrup so you get flavor and sweetness at the same time.
  • Mezcal – Swap out the tequila for some smoky Mezcal.
  • Dirty – Make it a “Dirty” Paloma by adding a little bit of savory olive brine.

How to Make a Paloma Cocktail

Tequila being added to a cocktail shaker.

Step 1

To a cocktail shaker, add the tequila.

A hand adding fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2

Add the grapefruit juice.

Fresh lime juice being added to a cocktail shaker.

Step 3

Add lime juice.

Woman's hand adding agave syrup to a cocktail shaker.

Step 4

Add agave nectar.

A cocktail being poured from a cocktail shaker into a glass over fresh ice.

Step 5

Add ice to the shaker and shake well—strain into a favorite cocktail glass over fresh ice.

A can of sparkling water being poured into a cocktail glass.

Step 6

Top with sparkling water. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge if desired. (Here are some easy cocktail garnish ideas).

TIPS

  • Here’s my list of essential bar tools that will help you make this drink.
  • Use large ice cubes to slow dilution.
  • I like to use sparkling water in a can so that I can make just one or two drinks and not have a bottle open that can become flat.
  • Do not shake the sparkling water in the cocktail shaker with the rest of the ingredients! Top off the drink with the carbonated ingredient after you’ve strained it into a glass over fresh ice.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge if you aren’t using fresh grapefruit.
Easy Paloma Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the recipe for the original Paloma?

An original Paloma (the easiest Paloma recipe) is 1.5 ounces of tequila topped with approximately 3 ounces of grapefruit soda. Add ingredients to a glass with ice and stir gently. This type of cocktail is great if you are on the go and can’t (or don’t want to) shake up a 5-ingredient cocktail.

What does a Paloma taste like?

A paloma is refreshing and citrusy, which pairs perfectly with the agave notes of the tequila. It is similar to a margarita but has an additional layer of grapefruit flavor, adding a slight bitterness that mellows as the ice melts into the drink.

Is a Paloma made with grapefruit juice better than one made with grapefruit soda?

The best Paloma recipe is the one you like the best. It’s totally personal preference. If you like grapefruit-flavored drinks, you’ll want to use preferably fresh grapefruit juice. If you don’t love grapefruit flavor, use grapefruit soda.

Do you shake or stir Palomas?

If you are making an easy paloma recipe with grapefruit soda, you will build the drink in a glass and won’t shake it. You never want to shake a drink with carbonated ingredients. What a mess! If you are making the recipe with grapefruit juice, you can shake the ingredients with ice in a shaker and then top with whatever sparkling water you are using.

What is the best grapefruit soda for a Paloma?

In my experience, the best grapefruit soda for a Paloma is the one you have. My store only had Squirt (however, they did not have Mexican Squirt, which is made with real cane sugar). Jarritos is another popular brand of grapefruit soda and Fresca and Izze have options. Use whatever brand your store has. For my recipe, however, you don’t need grapefruit soda.

What percentage of alcohol is in a Paloma?

The percentage of alcohol in a Paloma varies depending on the recipe and ingredients you use. There is a big old mathematical equation you can use to find out (use AI to help you with this!). But I believe my recipe is about 10% alcohol by volume.

More Tequila Cocktails

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A paloma made with grapefruit juice in a blue rimmed glass topped with pieces of grapefruit.

Easy Paloma Recipe

With refreshing grapefruit flavor, this citrusy tequila cocktail is ready in just minutes!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Calories: 183kcal
Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Sharon Garofalow

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • To a cocktail shaker, add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup.
  • Add ice and shake well.
  • Strain into a glass with fresh ice.
  • Top with sparkling water.
  • Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit, if desired.

Notes

 
If you prefer to serve the easy Paloma recipe with a salt rim, you can learn how to rim a glass in this post.
Use large ice cubes to slow dilution.
Do not shake the sparkling water in the cocktail shaker with the rest of the ingredients! Top off the drink with the carbonated ingredient after you’ve strained it into a glass over fresh ice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 183kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share easy recipes and ideas to make mom life easier and encourage gathering friends at home! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching spy shows, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

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