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5 minutes
5 from 4 votes
0 Comments

Paloma

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  • 160
by: Joanna Cismaru
06.10.21

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pin for paloma cocktail.

This Paloma cocktail is definitely becoming the favorite drink of this summer! A refreshing combination of sweet and sour, with a fizzy flair and a gorgeous citrusy twist.

two glasses filled with paloma and garnished with grapefruit slice.

Paloma

Are you ready to have lots of fun? Summertime is just amazing to try out new refreshing drinks and this Paloma is the best way to start out! With a tasty fizzy twist, delicious citrus flavor and just the coolest color, this drink is going to wow your brunch guests this season.

I’m always looking for new cocktails to enjoy. Even though I’m not much of a drinker, I do enjoy the occasional cocktail and when I do I love to try something different. This Paloma cocktail is so perfect for the summer, it’s refreshing, and it’s a fun way to kick off the weekend.

Ingredient Notes

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make a paloma cocktail.
  • Tequila – You can use your favorite brand of unflavored tequila.
  • Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice and grapefruit juice.
  • Water – Sparkling water such as Perrier or club soda are great for this.
  • Grapefruit – For garnishing your cocktail.
  • Sugar – Regular sugar to add some sweetness to your drink.
  • Salt – Coarse salt in order to decorate the rim of your serving glass. You can also use sugar for the rim, but tequila and salt go hand in hand.

How To Make Paloma

  1. Prepare the glass: Pour some coarse salt on a small plate. Rub a grapefruit wedge around the edge of the glass then dip it into the plate with salt.
  2. Make the cocktail: Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water, lime juice and sugar in the glass. Fill the remainder of the glass with ice. Garnish with grapefruit slice or wedge.

FAQ’s & Expert Tips

FAQ’s

What is the difference between Margarita and Paloma?

While a Margarita contains tequila and fresh lime juice, it gets its sweetness from cointreau. The Paloma drink gets its sweetness from the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and added sugar. It’s also less sweet than a Margarita.

Where does the name come from?

The name ‘Paloma’ is believed to come from La Paloma (“The Dove”), the popular folk song composed in the early 1860s. 

What can I garnish it with?

The more traditional way to decorate it is with a 1 inch lime wedge. But why stop there? You can use any kind of citrus wedge like grapefruit, lemon or pomelo, and you can add a special twist with a leaf or two of sweet mint.

overhead shot of two paloma cocktails surrounded by grapefruit wedges.

Expert Tips

  1. When making your cocktail, I recommend using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. While you can definitely make it with a grapefruit flavored club soda, using real grapefruit juice will taste much better.
  2. If you have guests that prefer a nonalcoholic drink, you can make them this delicious summery drink without the tequila. It’s refreshing and quite the party favorite.
  3. When ready to squeeze that grapefruit, roll de fruit on the counter before you cut it in order to break the membranes and have the juice ready for squeezing. Then cut in half and use one half to juice it and the other half to cut into slices for garnish.
two glasses filled with paloma and garnished with grapefruit slice.

More Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Blue Hawaiian
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  • Pina Colada
  • Mojito Recipe

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two glasses filled with paloma and garnished with grapefruit slice.

Paloma

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 1
Print Pin Rate
This Paloma cocktail is definitely becoming the favorite drink of this summer! A refreshing combination of sweet and sour, with a fizzy flair and a gorgeous citrusy twist.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounce tequila
  • 2 ounce grapefruit juice fresh
  • 2 ounce sparkling water such as Perrier or club soda
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ice

Garnish

  • coarse salt for glass rim
  • grapefruit slices
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prepare the glass: Pour some coarse salt on a small plate. Rub a grapefruit wedge around the edge of the glass then dip it into the plate with salt.
  • Make the cocktail: Combine the tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water, lime juice and sugar in the glass. Fill the remainder of the glass with ice. Garnish with grapefruit slice or wedge.

Recipe Notes

  1. When making your cocktail, I recommend using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. While you can definitely make it with a grapefruit flavored club soda, using real grapefruit juice will taste much better.
  2. If you have guests that prefer a nonalcoholic drink, you can make them this delicious summery drink without the tequila. It’s refreshing and quite the party favorite.
  3. When ready to squeeze that grapefruit, roll de fruit on the counter before you cut it in order to break the membranes and have the juice ready for squeezing. Then cut in half and use one half to juice it and the other half to cut into slices for garnish.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 176kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 12g (4%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Sodium: 14mg (1%)Potassium: 112mg (3%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 10g (11%)Vitamin A: 11IUVitamin C: 20mg (24%)Calcium: 10mg (1%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Course:Cocktail
Cuisine:American
Keyword:paloma, paloma cocktail
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 160

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Joanna Cismaru

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I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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