Easy Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
Learn how to make the best Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail with this quick and refreshing 5-minute recipe. This bright, flavorful drink is one of Mexico’s most iconic cocktails, and for good reason. Fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, silver tequila, and simple syrup come together with a splash of club soda for a crisp, lightly sweet, and incredibly refreshing drink.
A grapefruit Paloma is the perfect warm-weather cocktail, especially if you love tequila drinks but want something lighter than a margarita. The grapefruit flavor is tangy and vibrant, the sweetness is customizable, and that salted-rim glass makes every sip feel extra special.
Just like our Strawberry Margarita, Strawberry Moscow Mule, and Blackberry Mojito, this Paloma is a quick shake-and-pour drink. And yes, you can absolutely make it as a mocktail! Make this Grapefruit Paloma Mocktail instead!
Why You’ll Love This Paloma Recipe
- Bright, crisp, and refreshing: The combo of fresh grapefruit juice and lime juice creates a citrusy drink that’s perfect for hot days.
- Ready in 5 minutes: This Paloma recipe uses simple ingredients and requires nothing more than measuring, shaking, and pouring.
- Customizable sweetness: Add more or less simple syrup, or swap it for agave nectar, to make it exactly how you like it.
- Stunning presentation: The kosher salt rim, grapefruit wedge, and lime wedge make it a showstopper for entertaining.
- Naturally lighter than many cocktails: With fresh juice, soda water, and tequila, it’s refreshing rather than heavy.
Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
This grapefruit Paloma is made with just a handful of everyday ingredients:
- Tequila: Blanco or silver tequila is the best choice for Palomas. It’s clean, crisp flavor pairs beautifully with citrus. I used 1800 Blanco tequila.
- Fresh grapefruit juice: You can use bottled juice, but fresh grapefruit juice gives the best flavor, brighter color, and a little extra natural sweetness and vitamin content.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice balances the grapefruit and enhances the tartness.
- Simple syrup: Use homemade (equal parts sugar + water warmed in a small saucepan) or store-bought. You can replace it with agave nectar, honey, or your favorite sweetener.
- Club soda: Club soda, sparkling water, or grapefruit soda works well. For a sweeter, more traditional Mexican-style Paloma, grapefruit soda like Squirt or Jarritos is delicious.
- Salt for the rim: Use kosher salt, sea salt, pink salt, or a sugar-salt blend.
How To Make the Best Grapefruit Paloma
Prepare the Glass. Grab a highball, old-fashioned, or tumbler. Run a grapefruit wedge or lime wedge around the rim, then dip it into a shallow dish of kosher salt. Set aside.
Fill With Ice. Add plenty of ice so your cocktail stays cold from first sip to last.
Mix the Cocktail. In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine 2 ounces each of tequila blanco and grapefruit juice, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, and 1 ounce of simple syrup. Cover and shake for 20-30 seconds until chilled.
Strain and Top. Strain into your salted-rim glass. Top with club soda (or grapefruit soda) and gently stir. The carbonation helps lift the citrus flavors and brings the drink right to the rim.
Garnish. Add a grapefruit wedge, lime wedge, or slice of lime. Serve immediately.
Can I Make This Paloma Ahead for a Party?
To prep ahead: Mix the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Store in the fridge until guests arrive. Wait to add ice and club soda until serving so the drink doesn’t dilute or lose carbonation. Salt the glasses in advance and set them out for guests.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh grapefruit juice for the brightest flavor.
- Chill your glasses in the freezer for 5 minutes before assembling.
- Add jalapeño slices before shaking for a lightly spicy Paloma.
- For a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup or swap to grapefruit soda.
- For a lighter drink, top with extra club soda.
- Always serve immediately to keep the carbonation lively.
Recipe FAQs
A Paloma is a classic Mexican cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit, lime, and a pinch of salt. Traditionally, it’s made with grapefruit soda, but modern versions often use fresh grapefruit juice and club soda for a lighter drink.
Both are tequila-based cocktails, but a margarita uses orange liqueur and has a stronger lime flavor, while a Paloma highlights grapefruit and is naturally bubblier thanks to soda water.
Yes, just multiply the ingredients. Keep the carbonation out until serving.
Yes! Swap the tequila for more grapefruit juice, lime juice, or sparkling water.
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Easy Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker or glass
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces simple syrup or agave syrup (see Note 1)
- 1½ ounces club soda or soda water
- coarse salt for the rim
- grapefruit wedges and lime slices for garnish optional
Instructions
- Moisten the rim of the glass with a grapefruit slice and dip the rim in a shallow dish with salt.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- In a cocktail shaker, add a handful of ice, 2 ounces of tequila, 2 ounces of grapefruit juice, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 2 ounces of simple syrup. Cover and shake for 20-30 seconds. If you do not have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar or add the ingredients directly to a glass.
- Strain the mixture into your salt-rimmed glass.
- Add 1½ ounces of club soda, grapefruit soda, or sparkling water to the glass and stir gently.
- Garnish your cocktail with a grapefruit wedge, lime wedge, or a slice of lime.
Notes
- Use fresh grapefruit juice and freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor.
- Chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before making the cocktail to keep it cold.
- For a sweeter cocktail, add more simple syrup.
- For a spicier kick, add jalapeño slices to the cocktail.
