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Paloma Cocktail Recipe: A Bright, Refreshing Tequila and Grapefruit Classic

Paloma Cocktail Recipe

A bright, bubbly tequila and grapefruit cocktail with fresh lime, optional salt, and a simple half-salted rim. It comes together in one glass in about 5 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 oz (60 ml) Blanco tequila
  • 1/2 oz (15 ml) Fresh lime juice
  • 3–4 oz (90–120 ml) Chilled grapefruit soda
  • As needed Ice
Optional Ingredients
  • 1 pinch Salt
Optional Garnishes
  • As needed for a half-salt rim Coarse salt
  • 1 wedge Lime wedge or grapefruit wedge

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Rub a lime wedge around half of the rim of a highball or Collins glass. Dip the moistened half-rim into coarse salt if you want a savory, lightly salted finish.
  2. Fill the glass generously with ice. Plenty of ice keeps the cocktail cold while leaving room for the tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda.
  3. Add 2 ounces of blanco tequila, 1/2 ounce of fresh lime juice, and a small pinch of salt to the ice-filled glass. The salt is optional, but it can sharpen the citrus and soften some bitter notes.
  4. Top the drink with 3 to 4 ounces of chilled grapefruit soda. Pour slowly to protect the carbonation and prevent the glass from foaming over.
  5. Stir gently once or twice from the bottom of the glass. Finish with a lime wedge or grapefruit wedge and serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh lime juice and a good blanco tequila because the recipe is simple and every ingredient is noticeable. For a less-sweet traditional-style Paloma, replace some or all of the grapefruit soda with fresh grapefruit juice and chilled sparkling water, adding a little agave syrup if needed. This drink is best served immediately; do not prepare it far ahead because the soda will lose carbonation.