There are probably few cocktails more refreshing on a hot and sunny day than a good Paloma. All you really need to make this classic Mexican cocktail is a splash of your favorite tequila, some sparkling grapefruit and fresh lime juice, and a ready supply of ice. This simple drink is thoroughly enjoyable in its original form, but it is absolutely wonderful kicked up a notch with a little something extra special...and the secret to this deluxe version of the drink? An easy final flourish, more specifically a crowning float of pamplemousse liqueur, really puts it over the top. The result is pure grapefruit paradise.

Paloma in an old fashioned glass with a salted rim held in front of a large green shrub blooming with bright pink flowers.

Looking for more tequila based cocktails? Try the cosmex...an irresistible south of the border spin on the classic cosmopolitan.

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Ingredients for a Paloma
Instructions for a Paloma
📖 Recipe

Ingredients for a Paloma

your favorite tequila, either blanco or reposado
sparkling grapefruit juice
fresh lime juice
ice
pamplemousse liqueur (optional)
coarse sea salt (optional)
grapefruit wedge to garnish

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions for a Paloma

Grapefruit wedge being used to moisten the rim of an old fashioned glass.

For the salted rim, first moisten the rim of an old fashioned glass with the grapefruit wedge.

An old fashioned glass being turned upside down and dipped into salt on a small white plate.

Then sprinkle the coarse sea salt onto a small plate and press the rim of the glass into the salt to adhere.

Clear liquid being poured from a steel jigger into an old fashioned glass with a salted rim next to a bottle of tequila.

Add the tequila.

Pale pink liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into an old fashioned glass with a salted rim.

Next add the sparkling grapefruit juice.

Pale green liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into an old fashioned glass with a salted rim next to two halves of lime on a small brown cutting board.

Then add the fresh lime juice.

Chunks of ice being dropped into a glass with a salted rim containing pale pink liquid.

Finally, add ice.

Bottle of pamplemousse liqueur being held next to a Paloma.

For the grapefruit float, gently pour the pamplemousse liqueur on top (if you're not in a hurry, pouring the liqueur into the drink over the back of a bar spoon helps to disperse it more evenly).

Paloma in an old fashioned glass with a salted rim and a large wedge of grapefruit.

Garnish with the grapefruit wedge and serve immediately.

Hint: Any brand of sparkling grapefruit juice can work here, but I love the version made by Izze for this cocktail. Can't find any near you? Sanpellegrino pompelmo is another excellent option for the sparkling grapefruit component of this drink.

📖 Recipe

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Paloma

There are probably few cocktails more refreshing on a hot and sunny day than a good Paloma. All you really need to make this classic Mexican cocktail is a splash of your favorite tequila, some sparkling grapefruit and fresh lime juice, and a ready supply of ice. This simple drink is thoroughly enjoyable in its original form, but it's absolutely wonderful kicked up a notch with a little something extra special...and the secret to this deluxe version of the drink? An easy final flourish, more specifically a crowning float of pamplemousse liqueur, really puts it over the top. The result is pure grapefruit paradise.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Cinco De Mayo, classic, cocktail, easy, quick

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

1½ ounces tequila blanco or reposado
3 ounces sparkling grapefruit juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
ice
½ ounce pamplemousse liqueur (optional) for the grapefruit float
coarse sea salt (optional) for the salted rim
fresh grapefruit wedge to garnish

Instructions

For the salted rim, first moisten the rim of an old fashioned glass with the grapefruit wedge. Then sprinkle the coarse sea salt onto a small plate and press the rim of the glass into the salt to adhere.
Pour the tequila, sparkling grapefruit soda, and fresh lime juice into the glass. Then add ice.
For the grapefruit float, gently pour the pamplemousse liqueur on top (if you're not in a hurry, pouring the liqueur into the drink over the back of a bar spoon helps to disperse it more evenly).
Garnish with the grapefruit wedge and serve immediately.

Ingredients for a Paloma

Instructions for a Paloma

📖 Recipe

Paloma

Ingredients

Instructions

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