Refreshing Mexican Paloma Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fresh grapefruit delivers bright citrus flavor with a pleasantly bitter finish.
• Blanco tequila contributes clean, crisp agave notes without overpowering the fruit.
• Club soda makes the drink sparkling and refreshing rather than overly sweet.
• It takes only 5 minutes and is easy to adjust for sweetness, spice, or smokiness.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 medium ruby red grapefruit and 1 lime
• Dairy: None
• Pantry: Blanco tequila, agave nectar, club soda, kosher salt, fine sea salt, and ice

Full Ingredients

For the Salted Rim

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 lime wedge

For the Paloma

• 2 ounces blanco tequila
• 2 ounces freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice, strained and chilled to 40°F
• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar
• 1/16 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 ounces club soda, chilled to 40°F
• 1 1/2 cups ice, divided

For Garnishing

• 1 thin grapefruit half-moon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the glass

Pour 1 tablespoon of kosher salt onto a small plate. Rub the lime wedge around only half of the rim of a 10- to 12-ounce highball or Collins glass. Dip the moistened half into the salt, turning gently until it is evenly coated. A half-rim lets you choose between salted and unsalted sips.

Step 2: Measure the cocktail base

Pour 2 ounces of blanco tequila, 2 ounces of chilled grapefruit juice, 1/2 ounce of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of agave nectar, and 1/16 teaspoon of fine sea salt into a cocktail shaker. Using chilled grapefruit juice helps the finished drink reach an ideal serving temperature of approximately 35°F to 40°F without excessive dilution.

Step 3: Shake until cold

Add 3/4 cup of ice to the shaker. Seal it tightly and shake firmly for exactly 10 seconds. This chills the tequila and citrus, dissolves the agave and salt, and adds a small amount of dilution to soften the grapefruit’s bitterness.

Step 4: Fill the glass

Add the remaining 3/4 cup of fresh ice to the prepared glass. Use enough ice to fill the glass nearly to the top. A generously filled glass stays colder longer and melts more slowly than one containing only a few cubes.

Step 5: Strain and add sparkle

Strain the shaken cocktail over the fresh ice. Slowly pour in 2 ounces of club soda chilled to 40°F. Pouring the soda down the inside of the glass helps preserve its bubbles.

Step 6: Finish and serve

Stir gently two or three times with a long spoon, lifting from the bottom without agitating the drink too strongly. Garnish with a thin grapefruit half-moon and serve immediately while the Paloma is cold, crisp, and fully effervescent.

Pro Tips

• Choose blanco tequila: Its bright, peppery agave flavor pairs especially well with fresh grapefruit and lime.
• Taste your grapefruit: If the fruit is unusually sweet, reduce the agave to 1/2 teaspoon. If it is sharply bitter, increase the agave to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
• Use fresh juice: Strained, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice provides cleaner flavor and a more attractive coral-pink color than bottled juice.
• Keep everything cold: Refrigerate the grapefruit juice, tequila, and club soda to 40°F before mixing to minimize ice melt.
• Add soda last: Never shake the club soda in a sealed cocktail shaker, as pressure can force the lid open and the shaking will flatten the bubbles.

Variations

• Grapefruit Soda Paloma: Omit the fresh grapefruit juice, agave, and club soda. Prepare the tequila, lime juice, and fine sea salt as directed, then top with 4 ounces of chilled Mexican grapefruit soda.
• Spicy Paloma: Gently muddle 2 thin jalapeño slices with the agave in the shaker before adding the tequila and juices. Strain carefully and garnish with 1 additional jalapeño slice.
• Smoky Paloma: Replace 1 ounce of the blanco tequila with 1 ounce of joven mezcal for a balanced smoky flavor that complements the grapefruit’s bitterness.

Storage & Make-Ahead

For the freshest flavor and strongest carbonation, serve the finished Paloma immediately rather than storing it. The tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave, and fine sea salt can be mixed up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated in a sealed container at 40°F or below. Shake the prepared base briefly before using, then pour it over ice and add the club soda only when ready to serve. Freshly squeezed grapefruit and lime juices may also be refrigerated separately in airtight containers for up to 24 hours. Do not freeze or pre-mix the club soda, because it will lose its effervescence.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 176 kcal | Carbs: 12g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 10g | Sodium: 180mg | Cholesterol: 0mg