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Paloma Recipe

by Kris Barton Kris Barton Author Last Updated:

Recipe at a Glance

  1. (optional) Dip the rim of a highball glass into water and then shake off the excess. Sprinkle salt on a plate and dip the glass into it to get your salt rim.
  2. Add ice, Tequila, and Lime Juice to your cocktail shaker and then shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
  3. Use a Hawthorne Strainer to strain the ingredients into a Highball Glass.
  4. Add the Pink Grapefruit Soda and stir in with a bar spoon.
  5. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Jump to the Full Recipe↘

✓ Dairy Free ✓ Gluten Free ✓ Vegan ✓ Vegetarian

Nutirition per serving

kCal: 145 fat: 0g saturates: 0g carbs: 9g fibre: 0g protein: 0.5g

The Paloma Recipe hails from the heart of Mexico, where the drink has been a beloved favourite for generations.

Combing the zesty brilliance of grapefruit, with the subtle warmth of Tequila, the Paloma is a cocktail that effortlessly encapsulates the spirit of both a fiesta and relaxation.

Jump to the Paloma Recipe

Paloma Recipe - this fantastic tequila cocktail is pink and delicious
Table of contents

Paloma Cocktail Ingredients

To make this drink you mix together Tequila, Lime Juice, and Pink Grapefruit Soda to create this deliciously subtle cocktail.

Tequila

For Tequila, we recommend:

What Can I Use Instead of Pink Grapefruit Soda for this drink?

Pink Grapefruit Soda might not be readily available all over the world, so the best replacement would be Pink Grapefruit Juice.

If you don’t have that, you could use just regular soda/tonic water, but you won’t get that grapefruit flavour bursting through.

Paloma Recipe Variations

For some, this classic cocktail recipe is a little too bitter and so many variations of the Paloma usually include Agave Syrup or Simple Syrup to sweeten up the mix.

My advice would be to try the cocktail as is first and if you feel the mix needs to be sweeter, then add your agave or simple syrup to taste.

Tips for making a Salt Rim

paloma recipe - salting the glass rim

As an optional (but absolutely fantastic) step in this drink recipe, you make the rim of your glass salty.

Why? Because it adds to the flavour. Some variations of this cocktail even call for adding salt into the cocktail itself. The flavours work.

So how do you salt the rim of your glass?

  1. Choose a salt that has large grains, rather than regular salt. Why? Because it just looks better.
  2. Spread the salt on a plate evenly.
  3. Add water to a bowl and then dip the rim of your glass in it, making sure to shake off the excess. Feel free to use a wedge of lime or grapefruit to do this instead.
  4. Tilt the glass and gently turn it through the plate of salt. The goal here is to get the salt on the outside rim of the glass. Shake away any loose salt over the sink.

How do you garnish a Paloma?

Traditionally, you garnish a Paloma with a slice or wedge of lime.

If you’ve squeezed fresh grapefruit juice to replace grapefruit soda, you can also use a wedge of grapefruit.

What do you need to make a Paloma?

In terms of barware, there’s a few things you’ll need to make a great Paloma.

Cocktail Shaker

Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.

There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bonds says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.

If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed Cocktail Shaker comparison article.

But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:

Jigger

It’s important to get the mix of any cocktail right. The measurements are set for a reason – to specify a tried, tested, and tasty drink.

A jigger is going to help you get those perfect measurements – after all, it is what the pro’s use.

For a jigger, we recommend:

Hawthorne Strainer

If you (or perhaps the person your buying for) don’t have a Hawthorne strainer as part of a cocktail shaker set, it’s a great, and incredibly useful, cocktail gift you need in your cocktail toolbox.

The strainer is typically used to remove the ice (or any other unwanted solid ingredients) from your cocktail as it’s poured from the cocktail shaker into your glass.

For a Hawthorne Strainer, we recommend:

Bar Spoon

Bar Spoons are great for cocktails you’re suppose to stir, rather than shake in a cocktail shaker.

Sure, you can probably use any spoon to stir your drink but these bar spoons are the real deal. It’s the proper equipment to get the job right.

  • They’re long enough to get to the bottom of any cocktail to allow you to properly stir.
  • They have a twist spiral design that allows for a better grip.
  • They’re made out of stainless steel, so they’re durable, corrosion resistant, and easy to clean.

What glass do you serve a Paloma in?

A Paloma is traditionally served in a highball glass.

Highball Glass

Highball Glasses are the most common glasses in the cocktail world. You can put most cocktails in there from The Long Island Iced Tea to a Bay Breeze.

Why is this cocktail called Paloma?

paloma drink - pink grapefruits

So now for a little bit more about the drink..why is it called a Paloma?

Some suggest that the cocktail got the name Paloma because it’s Spanish for “Dove”, but others suggest the origin of the name is a derivation from the similar-sounding pomelo.

Pomelo is Spanish for grapefruit and since grapefruit is at the heart of the drink, this perhaps makes a little more sense.

Paloma Recipe

Let’s dive into the full recipe.

Paloma cocktail recipe

Paloma

★ ★ ★ ★(4.1 ratings)
Prep: 1 minMaking: 1 minTotal: 2 mins
Serving: 1 cocktailCalories: 145

Ingredients

  • Tequila 50ml / 1.6oz
  • Lime Juice 10ml / .3oz
  • Pink Grapefruit Soda 100ml /
  • Pinch of Salt
  • Garnish with a slice of lime

Recipe

  • (optional) Dip the rim of a highball glass into water and then shake off the excess. Sprinkle salt on a plate and dip the glass into it to get your salt rim.
  • Add ice, Tequila, and Lime Juice to your cocktail shaker and then shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
  • Use a Hawthorne Strainer to strain the ingredients into a Highball Glass.
  • Add the Pink Grapefruit Soda and stir in with a bar spoon.
  • Garnish with a slice of lime.

Personal Note

As a seasoned cocktail enthusiast, I’ve had my fair share of discussions about the perfect Paloma recipe. While I’ve explored various insights and preferences, it’s essential to consider some key aspects to elevate your Paloma experience. Here’s what I’ve discovered:

  1. Personal Touch: Just like many of you, I have my own personal preferences when it comes to Paloma variations. It’s incredible how small tweaks can make a big difference. Some enjoy a touch of spice with chilli powder, while others prefer the fresh and zesty notes of cucumber slices.
  2. Tequila Talk: Tequila selection is crucial in crafting the perfect Paloma. I’ve experimented with a range of tequilas, from the smoky mezcal to the smooth reposado. Each type can bring a unique character to your cocktail.
  3. Citrus Choices: The choice of citrus is a debate that often surfaces in Paloma discussions. While grapefruit juice is the star, combining it with a hint of fresh lime juice can balance the flavours perfectly.
  4. Soda or Grapefruit Soda: The age-old question of using regular soda versus grapefruit soda still lingers. Depending on the brand and your personal taste, your choice can significantly affect the final profile of your Paloma.
  5. Garnish Galore: Don’t underestimate the power of garnishes. Some of my favourite suggestions from our community include jalapeño slices for a spicy kick or a salt rim for that delightful contrast in flavours.

By incorporating these elements into your Paloma-making journey, you can tailor your cocktail to your unique taste. Remember, crafting the perfect Paloma is a blend of tradition and innovation, and there’s always room for creative exploration.

Want More Cocktail Recipes?

Did you enjoy our Paloma recipe? Want to try something a little different? We’ve got you covered!

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Further Reading

Kris Barton Author
Cocktail connoisseur and season mixologist, Kris Barton has been making (and more importantly drinking) cocktails for most of his adult life. He's the author of all of these quick & easy cocktail recipes you'll want to drink over and over again.

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