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A collins glass with a Paloma cocktail in it, garnished with a grapefruit wedge.
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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!
Course Drinks
Cuisine Mexican
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1 serving
Calories 181kcal
Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces tequila (1/4 cup, see note 1)
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice (1 tablespoon)
  • 4 ounces grapefruit soda (1/2 cup, see note 2)
  • pinch coarse salt (see note 3)
  • grapefruit wedge for garnish (see note 4)
US Customary - Metric

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Garnish: A lime wedge is the traditional garnish. A slice of ruby red grapefruit looks pretty, too!
  5. Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
  6. All juice: Skip the fizz and do 4 ounces of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice instead of soda.
  7. 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.
  8. Cantarito: Add 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) orange juice with the lime juice.
  9. Greyhound: Substitute gin or vodka for the tequila and substitute fresh grapefruit juice for the grapefruit soda.
  10. 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 (3/4 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: 1cocktail | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg