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Mexico’s national aperitif, the Paloma cocktail, is a simple tequila and grapefruit drink with a thirst-quenching, irresistible appeal.
The Paloma, or “Dove” in Spanish, is quick to make and so refreshing. You can make big batches and serve them by the pitcher to friends and family, or you can carefully craft each drink by hand.
Palomas counter-balance the spiciness of Mexico’s hottest foods, too. No wonder the drink is so popular!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Tequila: Tequila blanco is lighter in body and perfect for making cocktails like this one. Tequila reposado (which means “rested” and is aged in oak for at least 2 months) is ideal for sipping.
- Grapefruit soda: Mexicans usually use Squirt or Fresca (Their Fresca is different! It’s not sugar-free!). If you want something made without corn syrup, look for Jarritos or Izze brand grapefruit sodas.
- Salt: This is usually added as a pinch on top of the drink, but you can salt the rim like a Margarita if you prefer.
- Garnish: A lime wedge is the traditional garnish. A slice of ruby red grapefruit looks pretty, too!
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice, then top with soda and garnish with a pinch of salt and a grapefruit wedge if desired.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
- All juice: Skip the fizz and do 4 ounces of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice instead of soda.
- Mezcal Paloma: All tequilas are a kind of mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequilas. Substitute Mezcal for the tequila if you are looking for a smoky, savory flavor.
- Cantarito: Add ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) orange juice with the lime juice.
- Greyhound: Substitute gin or vodka for the tequila and substitute fresh grapefruit juice for the grapefruit soda.
- Big batch: To make a batch of 12 cocktails, in a large pitcher filled with ice, add 24 ounces (3 cups) tequila and 6 ounces (¾ cup) lime juice. Carefully stir in 48 ounces (6 cups) grapefruit soda. Have ice, glassware, salt, and grapefruit wedges on hand so guests can help themselves.
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Paloma Cocktail
Mexico’s national aperitif, the Paloma cocktail, is a simple tequila drink with a thirst-quenching, irresistible appeal. Move over Margarita, here comes something better!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila (¼ cup, see note 1)
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice (1 tablespoon)
- 4 ounces grapefruit soda (½ cup, see note 2)
- pinch coarse salt (see note 3)
- grapefruit wedge for garnish (see note 4)
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice, then top with soda and garnish with a pinch of salt and a grapefruit wedge if desired.
Notes
- Tequila: Tequila blanco is lighter in body and perfect for making cocktails like this one. Tequila reposado (which means “rested” and is aged in oak for at least 2 months) is ideal for sipping.
- Grapefruit soda: Mexicans usually use Squirt or Fresca (Their Fresca is different! It’s not sugar-free!). If you want something made without corn syrup, look for Jarritos or Izze brand grapefruit sodas.
- Salt: This is usually added as a pinch on top of the drink, but you can salt the rim like a Margarita if you prefer.
- Garnish: A lime wedge is the traditional garnish. A slice of ruby red grapefruit looks pretty, too!
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
- All juice: Skip the fizz and do 4 ounces of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice instead of soda.
- Mezcal Paloma: All tequilas are a kind of mezcal, but not all mezcals are tequilas. Substitute Mezcal for the tequila if you are looking for a smoky, savory flavor.
- Cantarito: Add ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) orange juice with the lime juice.
- Greyhound: Substitute gin or vodka for the tequila and substitute fresh grapefruit juice for the grapefruit soda.
- Big batch: To make a batch of 12 cocktails, in a large pitcher filled with ice, add 24 ounces (3 cups) tequila and 6 ounces (¾ cup) lime juice. Carefully stir in 48 ounces (6 cups) grapefruit soda. Have ice, glassware, salt, and grapefruit wedges on hand so guests can help themselves.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 181kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 12mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Sounds refreshing and customizable.  I’ll try concentrate and sugar to taste, the bitters, water and my soda stream.
I concoct my own margarita mix that’s less sweet than he typical commercial brand.  Now I’m a vodka drinker and this would rock with some high octane stuff.