Paloma Cocktail Recipe
The Paloma is the most popular cocktail in all of Mexico, and after just one sip, it’s not hard to see why. While not much is known about the specifics of the origin of the cocktail, it’s widely recognized as being first created by Don Javier Delgado Corona, a very well known and highly respected bartender.
Ordering a Paloma on a beach in Mexico sounds like a dream right about now! It’s an equal parts bitter and sweet cocktail that is delightfully fruity and packs a punch with 2 oz of tequila… I’m happy to share my favorite Paloma recipe with you to make you feel like you’re on the beach anytime.
So whether you’re planning a pool party, a backyard barbecue, or any other type of fun summertime festivity, consider serving Palomas to your guests! While some may prefer a cold cerveza, there are always party guests who’d much rather have a refreshing cocktail like this one.
How to Make a Paloma Cocktail – Steps and Tips
- Start off by rimming the glasses, that way they’re prepared for pouring. It’s always annoying to pour a drink into your glass, only to realize you forgot to rim it!
- Simply rub a lime wedge along the rim of the glass, coating it with fresh lime juice. Then, dip the rim of the glass into the salt.
- You can make this cocktail in a shaker, or right in the glass!
- To make it in the glass, just pour the tequila blanco, lime juice, and agave nectar into a glass and give it a stir to fully combine everything.
- To make this cocktail in a shaker, pour the tequila blanco, lime juice, and agave nectar into a shaker with a few ice cubes and give it a shake. Then, pour it directly into the glass.
- No matter which method you prefer, shaken or stirred, you’re going to have a delicious drink. Once the three ingredients are combined, top the glass off with grapefruit soda and give it a final gentle stir.
- You don’t want to pour the grapefruit soda into the shaker, as it will ruin the carbonation of the drink.
Which Tequila Is Best For Paloma?
You should use tequila blanco because it’s young and fruity. It’s also works best because the flavor of tequila will not mast the natural flavor of the grapefruit.
What Grapefruit Soda To Use?
There are lots of grapefruit sodas to choose from on the market, but if you want to stay a little more authentic, use Jarritos grapefruit soda. It’s a Mexican soda brand that produces some seriously delicious sodas! I love using their grapefruit soda in my Palomas but it is not always available at all grocery stores.
Can I Use Grapefruit Juice Instead of Grapefruit Soda?
Absolutely! If you love fresh grapefruit, use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and club soda instead of grapefruit soda. You will need about 2 oz of fresh grapefruit juice and about 2 ounces of club soda. Make sure to mix all the ingredients together before adding the soda, then top the cocktail off with club soda and very gently stir.
How to Garnish a Paloma Cocktail?
- Besides a lime twist (or a lime wedge) and a salt rim, there are a few other tasty ways to garnish your Paloma!
- Other great garnishes for Paloma include grapefruit wedges to amplify the grapefruit flavor, strawberries to add a touch of fresh sweetness, or citrus salt instead of regular coarse cocktail salt to further enhance the acidity of the cocktail.
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Paloma Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila blanco
- 4 oz grapefruit soda
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/4-1/2 oz agave nectar if needed
- salt for the rim
Instructions
- Rub each glass rim with a lime wedge and dip the rim into coarse salt.
- You can shake the cocktail in a shaker or stir it right in the glass. Combine tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar in the glass with ice and stir to combine. (Or, you can shake it it a cocktail shaker with ice and then pour into the glass.)
- Top it off with grapefruit soda, give it a gentle stir and enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional note: each type of soda you will choose will have different nutritional value.
- Which Tequila? You should use tequila blanco because it’s young and fruity. It’s also works best because the flavor of tequila will not mast the natural flavor of the grapefruit.
- What Grapefruit Soda? There are lots of grapefruit sodas to choose from on the market, but if you want to stay a little more authentic, use Jarritos grapefruit soda. It’s a Mexican soda brand that produces some seriously delicious sodas! I love using their grapefruit soda in my Palomas but it is not always available at all grocery stores.
- Can I Use Grapefruit Juice? Absolutely! If you love fresh grapefruit, use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and club soda instead of grapefruit soda. You will need about 2 oz of fresh grapefruit juice and about 2 ounces of club soda. Make sure to mix all the ingredients together before adding the soda, then top the cocktail off with club soda and very gently stir.
Nutrition
More Tequila Cocktails!
All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
A variation I discoveted in Monterrey is to add 1oz. of sangrita to make a Vampiro. Be sure the sangrita is orange-based, not tomato.
Yum!