Make a Classic Paloma Cocktail in Five Minutes

Most people think tequila automatically means margaritas, but the Paloma cocktail has been quietly dominating Mexico for decades.

Two glasses containing pink liquid with salt on rims, fruit slices on rim, and white napkin, grapefruit, limes, and plant in background.

This drink is what happens when you stop trying to mask the flavor of tequila and instead give it something bright and bitter to play with. Grapefruit is tart, slightly sweet, and unapologetically bold, and when you add quality sparkling soda and fresh lime, the whole thing becomes crisp, balanced, and dangerously easy to drink.

Where the Paloma Actually Came From

The Paloma isn’t a trendy cocktail dreamed up for social media. In Mexico, it has quietly been one of the most popular tequila drinks for generations, long before margaritas dominated menus in the United States.

The name means “dove” in Spanish, though the exact origin is a bit of a mystery. Some say it was inspired by the classic folk song La Paloma, while others credit Don Javier Delgado Corona, the legendary bartender at La Capilla.

However the Paloma cocktail recipe got its name, the drink itself is beautifully simple. Tequila, grapefruit soda, fresh lime, and a touch of salt come together to create something crisp, refreshing, and perfect for a warm afternoon.

Why You’ll Love this Version

Most Paloma recipes call for bottled Mexican soda like Squirt or Jarritos. They work in a pinch, but they’re often heavy on sugar and artificial flavor. For this classic recipe, we’re going for more simple ingredients.

In this version, I swap them for Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit. It brings a more natural grapefruit bitterness, balanced sweetness, and lively bubbles that hold their fizz instead of fading after a few sips.

The result is still the light, refreshing Paloma you expect, but with a cleaner, more sophisticated flavor. Serve it with chips and Mexican salsa or something more substantial like this Taco Casserole or our Mexican Pork Carnitas.

You don’t need a full bar setup to make this easy Paloma recipe, but a few simple tools will make the process easier and the results more consistent.

Cocktail shaker: This is where you shake the tequila and lime juice with ice to chill and lightly dilute the base before adding the soda. No shaker? A mason jar with a lid works just fine.
Jigger or measuring tool: A quick measure keeps the tequila and lime in the right ratio so the drink doesn’t taste too strong or too tart.
Hawthorne strainer: A strainer keeps the ice from the shaker out of your glass. If your shaker has one built in, you’re good to go. Otherwise, pour carefully or use a small mesh strainer. (By the way, this cocktail shaker set has a jigger and strainer.)
Highball or rocks glasses: Palomas are traditionally served in a tall highball glass with plenty of ice and soda. A rocks glass works too if you prefer a slightly stronger drink.
Small plate for salt: You’ll need a shallow plate to rim the glasses with salt. It makes it much easier to coat the rim evenly than using a deep bowl.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Makes 2

Bottle of tequila, bottle of pink liquid, container of salt, lime juice, a grapefruit and a lime on a white counter.

4 ounces tequila blanco: Blanco tequila’s bright, peppery flavor pairs best with grapefruit. Reposado can work but adds oak notes that soften the citrus. Avoid gold or mixto tequilas—these often contain additives. For the cleanest flavor, choose 100% agave.
1 Fever-tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit: This is what takes a Paloma to the next level. Real grapefruit juice adds natural bitterness and depth that sugary sodas miss, and the carbonation stays lively longer. If Fever-Tree isn’t available, use any sparkling grapefruit soda made with real juice and minimal sugar.
1 ounce fresh lime juice: No bottled lime juice here. Fresh lime has brightness and acidity that balances the sweetness of the soda and sharpness of the tequila.
Margarita salt: For the rim of your glass. This variety is coarser. Kosher salt can work in a pinch, but regular table salt has a bit of a metallic taste and could ruin your cocktail.
Fresh red grapefruit and limes for garnish: Adds color and aroma. Go ahead and give it a squeeze of lime juice.
Ice cubes

How to Make a Classic Paloma Drink

Making this easy cocktail recipe takes minutes, but the order matters if you want it to taste balanced and look clean.

Prep your glasses first. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass to moisten it. Pour margarita salt onto a small plate, then dip the rim of each glass into the salt at an angle, rotating gently to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside.

Two glasses with salt on rims and bottles and fruit in background.

Add ice, tequila, and lime juice to your shaker. Fill the shaker about halfway with ice, then pour in 1 ounce of fresh lime juice.

Stainless shaker with hand pouring yellow liquid into shaker, with bottle and fruit in background.

Add 4 ounces of tequila blanco to the shaker. Do not add the sparkling grapefruit yet. Shaking carbonated liquid kills the bubbles and turns your drink flat.

Stainless shaker with hand pouring clear liquid into shaker, with bottle and fruit in background.

Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds. You want the tequila and lime to get ice-cold and slightly diluted. The shaker should feel frosty on the outside when you are done. If it still feels room temperature, keep shaking.

Fill your prepared glasses with fresh ice. Do not reuse the ice from the shaker. It is already half-melted and watered down. Fresh ice keeps the drink colder longer and looks better.

Strain the tequila and lime mixture into each glass. Pour slowly so you do not disturb the salt rim. You should have about 2 to 2.5 ounces of liquid per glass, depending on dilution.

Glass with salt on rim and bottle and fruit in background.

Top each glass with sparkling pink grapefruit. Pour gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. You want the bubbles to stay lively, not fizzle out immediately. Split the 6.8-ounce bottle evenly between the two drinks.

Two glasses with salt on rims and yellow liquid with hand pouring pink liquid into front glass.

Garnish with fresh grapefruit and lime. Slide a grapefruit wedge onto the rim or drop it into the drink. Add a lime wheel for extra citrus punch. Do not skip this. It makes the drink look prettier, and it smells incredible.

Two glasses containing pink liquid with salt on rims, fruit slices on rim, and white napkin and plant background.

Now you have two perfectly balanced Palomas that taste like vacation.

Food Pairing with a Paloma

The grapefruit Paloma is bright, citrusy, and slightly bitter, which means it plays well with bold, salty, and spicy flavors. Pair it with Grilled Shrimp Tacos or this seafood salad I learned to make in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. My Mexican Chocolate Truffles are the perfect way to end the meal.

Variations & Sustitutions

Spicy Paloma: Muddle a few jalapeño slices in the shaker before adding the tequila and lime. Strain this well, as you don’t want seeds in your drink. The heat plays beautifully with the grapefruit’s bitterness. For an extra kick, instead of the salted rim, dip the rim in Tajin.
Mezcal Paloma: Swap half or all of the tequila for mezcal. You will get smokiness that makes the drink feel more complex and almost savory. This version is incredible with grilled food.
Hibiscus Paloma: Add half an ounce of hibiscus syrup to the shaker. It adds floral sweetness and turns the drink a deep pink. You can buy hibiscus syrup or make it by simmering dried hibiscus flowers with sugar and water.
Frozen Paloma: Blend the tequila, lime juice, grapefruit soda, and ice in a blender until slushy. This works best in summer and tastes like a grown-up snow cone.

FAQ

Can I make a Paloma without grapefruit juice?

Yes. You can substitute fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water for the soda. If you prefer a slightly sweeter drink, add a small amount of simple syrup or agave nectar.

What is the difference between a Paloma and a classic Margarita?

A Margarita is made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur like triple sec. A Paloma uses grapefruit soda instead, giving it a lighter, more refreshing citrus flavor.

Is a Paloma stronger than a margarita?

Usually not. Margaritas often contain tequila plus orange liqueur, which increases the alcohol content. Palomas are typically topped with soda, making them lighter and more refreshing.

Pink cocktail in a short glass with a salted rim with a piece of grapefruit and lime on rim of glass.

More Tequila Cocktails

Grapefruit Margarita Cocktail
Pineapple Margarita
Frozen Coconut Margarita

Prep your glasses first. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass to moisten it. Pour margarita salt onto a small plate, then dip the rim of each glass into the salt at an angle, rotating gently to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside.
Add ice, tequila, and lime juice to your shaker.
Fill the shaker about halfway with ice.
Pour in 4 ounces of tequila blanco and 1 ounce of fresh lime juice. Do not add the sparkling grapefruit yet. Shaking carbonated liquid kills the bubbles and turns your drink flat.
Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds. You want the tequila and lime to get ice-cold and slightly diluted. The shaker should feel frosty on the outside when you are done. If it still feels room temperature, keep shaking.
Fill your prepared glasses with fresh ice. Do not reuse the ice from the shaker. It is already half-melted and watered down. Fresh ice keeps the drink colder longer and looks better.
Strain the tequila and lime mixture into each glass. Pour slowly so you do not disturb the salt rim. You should have about 2 to 2.5 ounces of liquid per glass, depending on dilution.
Top each glass with sparkling pink grapefruit. Pour gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. You want the bubbles to stay lively, not fizzle out immediately. Split the 6.8-ounce bottle evenly between the two drinks.
Garnish with fresh grapefruit and lime. Slide a grapefruit wedge onto the rim or drop it into the drink. Add a lime wheel for extra citrus punch. Do not skip this. It makes the drink look prettier, and it smells incredible.

Meet the author

Welcome! I’m Kelly!

Writer, Traveler, Lover of good Food and Wine.

Woman holding up wine glass in front of a vineyard.

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