Paloma Cocktail
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A Paloma is a tangy and refreshing Mexican cocktail that is easy to prepare. It is similar to a margarita, but mixed with grapefruit-flavored soda. This simple Paloma cocktail recipe is a citrusy tequila-based cocktail perfect for sipping during the hot summer months.
If you have never had a Paloma before, you are missing out! They have a light, fresh citrus flavor with fun bubbles and just enough tequila to call it a cocktail.
What does Paloma mean?
Paloma is Spanish for “dove”, a symbol of peace. Paloma is a common female name in Spain and Italy.
Would you believe that Paloma is Mexico’s national cocktail? It’s true. The margarita is more popular in the US, but takes second place in Mexico!
Cocktail ingredients
- High-quality silver tequila like Cabo Wabo, Patron, Casamigos (blanco)
- Fresh lime juice – do not use the stuff in the plastic lime, it will be bitter!
- Grapefruit soda such as Jaritos, Squirt, Fresca, Izzie, or Hansen’s.
- Course salt for around the rim of a highball glass.
How to make a Paloma with grapefruit soda
Wet the rim of your glasses with lime juice, then roll the rim around in a small dish of salt.
This is the wrong glass, but you get the idea!
Next fill your glass with a handful of ice, and add your tequila and fresh squeezed lime juice.
Top off with grapefruit soda and garnish with thin slices of lime and grapefruit. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Recipe variation: substitute equal parts of grapefruit juice and club soda for the grapefruit soda.
- Do not skimp on the tequila, cheap tequila will ruin your cocktail!
- For a weaker cocktail use less tequila and more soda.
- Adjust the amount of ice based on the size of your glass.
Tools used to create this drink
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More delicious tequila recipes
- Classic Margarita
- Frozen Watermelon Margaritas
- Keto Mexican Mule – substitute ginger beer or ginger ale for a regular cocktail
- Cranberry Orange Margarita
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Enjoy!!
Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
- .25 cup tequila blanco I used Cabo Wabo
- 1 teaspoon lime juice fresh squeezed
- 0.5 cup pink grapefruit soda I used Izzie
- course salt for the rim of the glass
- ice cubes
- lime and grapefruit slices to garnish
Instructions
- Wet the rim of your glasses with lime juice, then roll the rim around in a small dish of salt.
- Next fill your glass with a handful of ice, and add your tequila and fresh squeezed lime juice.
- Top off with grapefruit soda and garnish with thin slices of lime and grapefruit. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Recipe variation: substitute equal parts of grapefruit juice and club soda for the grapefruit soda.
- Do not skimp on the tequila, cheap tequila will ruin your cocktail!
- For a weaker cocktail, use less tequila and more soda.
- Adjust the amount of ice based on the size of your glass.