10 Playful Paloma Variations for Picture-Perfect Sipping

It’s time to take a deep dive into tasty Paloma variations, friends! Listen, we’re not allowed to play favourites with cocktails around here, but the classic Paloma has room for loads of delicious and interesting variations. Needless to say, we adore all iterations of this zesty bestie. Ready to get inspired? Let’s go! 

What’s in a Paloma cocktail?

A traditional Paloma cocktail is a citrus-forward drink that combines the vibrant flavours of tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice, and a touch of salt. Typically made with blanco or reposado tequila, this cocktail offers a perfect balance of tantalising tartness and subtle sweetness. The tangy grapefruit pairs harmoniously with the tequila’s earthy notes, while the lime juice adds a bright acidity to the mix. 

FUN FACT: The origin of the classic Paloma recipe is believed to lie along the cobbled streets of historic Mexico. While its exact origins are somewhat unclear, the Paloma is thought to have emerged in the mid-20th century as a popular alternative to the Margarita, another iconic Mexican cocktail. 

1. Traditional Paloma

Learning how to make a Paloma couldn’t be simpler and the ingredients are easy to remember: grapefruit soda, tequila, and lime juice.  

For the best Paloma cocktail, you want the best tequila. We suggest reaching for a bottle of Espolòn Tequila Blanco (opens in new window). This unaged tequila is created with 100% Blue Weber agave, delivering a smooth and balanced taste. The original Paloma recipe calls for grapefruit soda, which can be a little on the sweet side for some. If you prefer a drink that’s more tart than sweet, we suggest swapping out the grapefruit soda for fresh grapefruit juice, a kiss of sugar syrup and soda water. 

More inspiration: Blushing Pink: Tantalising Grapefruit Cocktails Recipe to Try 

Top tip from Tris

Tristam Fini, our friend from Campari Academy UK (opens in new window), says if food and drinks have grown up together regionally, they will automatically work really well.

When making cocktails with a tequila like Espolón Tequila Blanco, (opens in new window) you can explore food pairing options like aqua chile, which is a ceviche-style dish. You can also consider different styles of tacos, such as al pastor or tacos de birria, which are vibrant regional dishes coming from Oaxaca and Puebla specifically.

2. Spiced Cranberry Paloma

If there’s one staple that everyone has in their pantry over the festive season, then it’s got to be cranberry sauce. And while it’s something you’d expect to see drizzled over a festive roast, you can use the leftover sauce and combine it with a touch of Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge (opens in new window) to give your Paloma a holiday twist. 

3. Pineapple Paloma

The Pineapple Paloma is bright, juicy, and irresistibly uplifting. It takes the classic Paloma’s easy charm and adds a tropical twist, giving it a playful, sun-soaked vibe. Think of it as the cocktail equivalent of a beach day—vivid, carefree, and full of good energy.

More tropical treats: Taste the Tropics: Pineapple and Tequila Cocktails You’ll Love 

4. Pomegranate Rosé Paloma

The Pomegranate Rosé Paloma is crisp, zesty, and just a little indulgent. The bubbles lift it up, the fruit gives it punch, and the overall effect is lively without trying too hard. It’s the kind of drink that feels equally at home by the pool or at a dinner table dressed to impress.

Love fruity drinks? Pomegranate Cocktails to Master at Home 

5. Spicy Paloma

The Spicy Paloma is bold, lively, and full of fire. It takes the Paloma’s laid-back citrussy charm and turns up the heat, giving it a daring edge that lingers on the palate. Think of it as the cocktail equivalent of a summer night with a little spark—fun, gutsy, and impossible to ignore.

¡Salud! Best Mexican Cocktails to Make at Home 

6. Ginger Beer Paloma

A zesty twist on the classic Paloma, swapping soda for ginger beer to add a spicy kick that pairs beautifully with tequila and grapefruit.

Ingredients

• 45 ml Espolòn Tequila Blanco

• 60 ml Fresh grapefruit juice

• 20 ml Freshly squeezed lime juice

• 60 ml Ginger beer

• Garnish: Lime wedge and coarse sea salt

• Ice

Method

1. Rim a tall glass with lime juice and coarse sea salt

2. Fill the glass with ice

3. Add tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice

4. Top with ginger beer

5. Garnish with a lime wedge

6. Serve immediately

Read next: Ginger Beer Cocktails: Add Zing to Your Drinks Menu 

7. Mezcal Paloma

While tequila is made from the sugars of steamed agave plants (above ground), mezcal is made from the sugars of agave plants that have been roasted in wood-fired pits. This is what gives the spirit its unique smoky flavour. Serve these sweet and tangy smoky cocktails this summer for something a little different.   

You might also like: The Difference between Mezcal and Tequila Explained

8. Paloma Mocktail

Filled with zesty notes of fresh ruby grapefruit juice and lime, this Paloma Mocktail is super simple to assemble; simply add some soda water, and ice and experiment with the ratio of the ingredients until it strikes your fancy. Add a dash of sugar syrup or agave syrup.  

Sober-curious? How to Shake Your Favourite Cocktail into a Mocktail

9. Rum Paloma

The Rum Paloma drifts into tropical territory with ease. Swapping tequila for rum softens the edges and adds a mellow island character. It’s less sharp, more sun-soaked—a cocktail that feels like it wandered straight off the beach and into your glass.

Read next: Easy Tequila Summer Cocktails for Beginners 

10. Italian Paloma

The Italian Paloma doesn’t whisper, it sings. Bittersweet and citrussy, it balances playful sparkle with refined aperitivo charm. It’s the kind of drink that kicks off the night with confidence, setting the stage for conversation, laughter, and a little la dolce vita magic.

How delicious do these zesty Paloma variations sound? We look forward to seeing which one of our tasty Paloma recipes you shake up first. Remember to tag us in your Instagram pic (opens in new window)s. Visit the Espolòn (opens in new window) website for more inspiration and subscribe to our newsletter to get more of our zesty besties delivered straight to your inbox.