Paloma

Name: Paloma
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 50 Ml Espolón Tequila Blanco; 100 Ml Grapefruit Soda; 25 Ml Freshly squeezed lime juice; Coarse sea salt for garnish; Ice

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Tequila

Great for

Garden Party

Difficulty

Easy

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Want to know the secret to making the best Paloma cocktail? Then you’ve come to the right place. We have a classic Paloma recipe and our usual tips and tricks to help you look like a pro. So cross the border with us to Mexico, discover this iconic cocktail’s history and learn how to make a Paloma drink like a pro.

The best Paloma recipe

The Paloma cocktail doesn’t require bar tools and can be made straight in the glass (or pitcher if you’re entertaining a crowd).

QUICK TIPS

If you don’t like a salted rim, add a pinch of salt straight into your Paloma cocktail instead.

Want some heat? Add chilli spice to the salt before rimming the glass.

Make this cocktail in pitchers for bigger parties and let your friends help themselves.

INGREDIENTS

Classic color pencil illustration of a Paloma Cocktail

MAKE FOR

1 Person

50 Ml

1.67 Oz

1.67 Parts

Espolón Tequila Blanco

100 Ml

3.33 Oz

3.33 Parts

Grapefruit Soda

25 Ml

0.83 Oz

0.83 Parts

Freshly squeezed lime juice

Coarse sea salt for garnish

Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

Rim tall glass with lime juice and coarse salt

Fill the glass with ice

Add the tequila

Top with grapefruit soda

Garnish with a fresh wedge of lime

The history of the Paloma cocktail

This epic tequila and grapefruit cooler’s history is a little bit muddled. The most accepted version is that it was created by the highly acclaimed bartender, Don Javier Delgado Corona at La Capilla—a bar in Tequila, Mexico.

But that was back in 1950, and today you’ll find plenty of variations of the classic Paloma recipe, with modern twists that add different flavours and results.

Paloma cocktail ingredients

Like most cocktails, we really appreciate the classics, and this one is no different. Learning how to make a Paloma drink couldn’t be easier. The Paloma drink ingredients will be easy to remember with only two components: Grapefruit soda and tequila. Our recipe adds a few extras to elevate it to a whole new flavour level. Ingredients are always the most important part of any recipe, so let’s chat about those first:

Tequila: This is serious business. For the best Paloma cocktail, you want the best tequila. We suggest reaching for a bottle of Espolón Tequila Blanco. This unaged tequila is created with 100% Blue Weber agave, delivering a smooth and balanced taste perfect for cocktail making.
Grapefruit soda: This classic 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 little sugar syrup and soda water.
Fresh lime: The bittersweetness of the grapefruit juice blends beautifully with the zesty lime and will result in a lovely, zingy cocktail.

More serious tequila business: A Beginner’s Guide to Tequila

Recipe tips and tricks

While the Paloma cocktail is one of the best tequila cocktails for beginners, you can take it to the next level with some handy tips and tricks.

If it’s too sweet: Use fresh grapefruit, soda water and a little simple syrup instead of grapefruit soda.
If it’s too strong: Add more grapefruit soda, or wait for the ice to dilute into the drink.
If you want some spice: Add a pinch of chilli powder to your salt mix.

You might also like: 12 Grapefruit Cocktails to Try