The Paloma is a refreshing and vibrant cocktail that perfectly balances the tangy flavors of grapefruit and lime. This Mexican classic is a delightful choice for any occasion, whether you're lounging by the pool or hosting a festive gathering. With its simple yet flavorful ingredients, the Paloma is sure to become a favorite in your cocktail repertoire.
While most of the ingredients for the Paloma are common, you might need to pay special attention to grapefruit soda. This ingredient is essential for achieving the signature taste of the cocktail. If you can't find grapefruit soda at your local supermarket, you can substitute it with a mix of grapefruit juice and club soda.

Ingredients For Paloma Recipe
Tequila: A distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, essential for the base of the cocktail.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed juice from limes, adding a zesty and tangy flavor.
Grapefruit soda: A carbonated beverage with a sweet and tangy grapefruit flavor, crucial for the cocktail's signature taste.
Salt: Used for rimming the glass, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Grapefruit: A slice of this citrus fruit is used as a garnish, adding a fresh and vibrant touch.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When rimming the glass with salt, use a wedge of lime to moisten the rim before dipping it into the salt. This ensures an even coating and adds a subtle hint of citrus flavor to each sip.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
tequila - Substitute with mezcal: Mezcal provides a smoky flavor that adds a unique twist to the drink.
tequila - Substitute with vodka: Vodka is a neutral spirit that won't overpower the other flavors in the Paloma.
fresh lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and tartness to lime juice.
fresh lime juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice complements the grapefruit soda and adds a citrusy note.
grapefruit soda - Substitute with club soda and grapefruit juice: Mixing club soda with grapefruit juice mimics the flavor and effervescence of grapefruit soda.
grapefruit soda - Substitute with lemon-lime soda and a splash of grapefruit juice: This combination provides the sweetness and citrus flavor needed for the Paloma.
salt - Substitute with sugar: Rimming the glass with sugar instead of salt offers a sweet contrast to the drink's tartness.
salt - Substitute with tajín: Tajín adds a spicy and tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the Paloma.
grapefruit slice - Substitute with lime slice: A lime slice provides a similar citrus garnish and complements the lime juice in the drink.
grapefruit slice - Substitute with orange slice: An orange slice adds a sweet and vibrant garnish that pairs well with the other citrus elements.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Drink
How to Store / Freeze This Drink
Ensure you have fresh grapefruit and lime juice on hand. Fresh ingredients are key to maintaining the vibrant flavors of your Paloma.
If you have leftover tequila, store it in a cool, dark place. Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed to preserve its quality.
For the grapefruit soda, once opened, it should be kept in the refrigerator. Use it within a few days to ensure it retains its fizz and flavor.
If you have extra lime juice, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag. This way, you can easily add a cube or two to your next Paloma or any other cocktail.
To store the salted rim glasses, ensure they are clean and dry before rimming with salt. Store them upside down in a cool, dry place to keep the salt from absorbing moisture.
If you have pre-made Paloma mix (tequila and lime juice), store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 1-2 days for the best taste.
For garnishes like grapefruit slices, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use them within a day or two to ensure they remain fresh and juicy.
If you want to prepare a large batch of Paloma for a party, mix the tequila and lime juice ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. Add the grapefruit soda and ice just before serving to keep the drink fizzy and refreshing.
Avoid freezing the complete Paloma cocktail, as the grapefruit soda will lose its carbonation and the overall texture and flavor may be compromised.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the leftover Paloma into a glass.
- Add a few ice cubes to refresh the drink.
- Top off with a splash of grapefruit soda to bring back the fizz.
- Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
- Garnish with a fresh slice of grapefruit.
- Enjoy immediately for the best taste.
Best Tools for Making This Beverage
Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the tequila and lime juice thoroughly with ice.
Jigger: A measuring tool to ensure you get the right amount of tequila and lime juice.
Ice: Essential for chilling the drink and diluting it slightly for a balanced flavor.
Strainer: Helps to pour the mixed drink into the glass without letting ice cubes fall in.
Rocks glass: The ideal glass for serving a Paloma, typically filled with ice.
Salt: Used for rimming the glass to add a salty contrast to the sweet and tangy drink.
Knife: Necessary for cutting the grapefruit slice used as a garnish.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the grapefruit.
How to Save Time on Making This Drink
Pre-rim the glasses: Rim your glasses with salt ahead of time and store them in the fridge to save a step when you're ready to serve.
Use bottled lime juice: Opt for high-quality bottled lime juice to skip the squeezing and speed up the process.
Pre-chill ingredients: Keep your tequila and grapefruit soda in the fridge so you don't need to shake as long to get a cold drink.
Batch the mix: Combine tequila and lime juice in a large pitcher ahead of time. When ready to serve, just pour, add ice, and top with grapefruit soda.
Garnish in advance: Slice your grapefruit and store the slices in an airtight container in the fridge.

Paloma Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz Fresh lime juice
- 4 oz Grapefruit soda
- 1 pinch Salt for rimming the glass
- 1 slice Grapefruit for garnish
Instructions
- Rim the glass with salt.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila and lime juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
- Strain into the glass filled with ice.
- Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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