Paloma Recipe: Our Crafted Version
Frost the rim of your glass with salt (optional): Pour some salt onto a shallow plate or bowl. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then gently dip the outer edge into the salt to coat. Tap off any excess. Mix tequila, lime/lemon juice, and sweetener: Adjust the strength of your Paloma by adding a sweetener if desired. If you're cutting back on sugar, feel free to skip this step. Add ice and top with grapefruit juice or soda: A Paloma is best served on the rocks for a refreshing taste. Garnish with a lime or grapefruit slice: Your cocktail is ready to enjoy!
Any tequila lover knows how to make a great margarita, but for Mexicans, this isn’t always their go-to tequila cocktail. In the homeland of tequila, the Paloma recipe takes the crown. First created at the aptly named La Capilla (Spanish for The Chapel) and crafted by the legendary Don Javier Delgado, the Paloma has won over countless hearts throughout the years.
In the UK and other countries, the Paloma cocktail has long lived in the shadow of its more famous sister, the Margarita, but times are changing. Grapefruit, the standout ingredient in this drink, is one of the most widely harvested fruits in the United States. The beauty of this cocktail lies in its versatility: if freshly squeezed juice feels like too much effort, a quality pink grapefruit soda, such as 3 Cents, works perfectly.
Even world-renowned bartender Dré Masso agrees: “Surprisingly, the Paloma is Mexico’s most popular cocktail, not the Margarita as I initially thought. Most of the time, it’s made with a canned or bottled fizzy drink containing grapefruit, lemon, sugar, and soda.”
The Paloma cocktail combines the tangy bitterness of grapefruit, the sweetness of agave syrup, the sharpness of lemon, and a spicy, salty rim to deliver an explosion of flavours. But enough talk—let’s make some delicious Palomas!
Paloma Drink Recipe Ingredients
Here are the essential ingredients you’ll need to create your brilliant Paloma cocktail:
- Altos Plata
- Pink grapefruit juice
- Lemon juice
- Agave or simple syrup
- Optional garnishes: salt, lemon and grapefruit slices
Salt adds a distinctive flavour to this recipe, so we recommend using it both on the rim of the glass and in the drink itself.
How to Make a Paloma Recipe With Tequila
The Paloma is an incredibly easy cocktail to prepare, perfect for hot days or social gatherings. Follow these simple steps to treat yourself to something special!
Prepare your glass (optional): Pour some salt onto a small plate. Moisten the rim of your glass with water, a lemon wedge, or a grapefruit wedge, then roll it in the salt to coat.
Mix the tequila, lemon juice, and agave syrup: Once well mixed, pour the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice. Alternatively, you can mix everything directly in the glass—it’s easier, especially if you skip the sugar. The result will be less sweet but still delightful!
Top it off with pink grapefruit juice: You can also opt to make your Paloma with a combination of grapefruit juice and sparkling water for a lighter version.
Garnish and enjoy: Add a slice of lemon or grapefruit for the perfect finishing touch.
How strong is the Paloma cocktail? The strength of your Paloma largely depends on how much grapefruit juice you add. Start with a smaller amount and adjust gradually to suit your taste.
Would you like to try an authentic, classic tequila cocktail? Our easy Altos Paloma recipe is perfect for celebrating a sunny afternoon, a relaxed evening, or your next dinner party. Learn how to make it today!
How to make this Paloma Cocktail
The foundation of any cocktail is, of course, the alcohol. To truly enjoy a great drink, you need to choose wisely. What type of tequila do you prefer—Silver, Reposado, or Añejo? If you’re unfamiliar with tequila terminology, here’s a quick breakdown:
- Silver tequila (also known as Blanco, Plata, or White) never touches the inside of an oak barrel. It’s the purest expression of the natural flavours of agave. This bold profile makes silver tequila perfect for cocktails, as it pairs well with any mixer.
- Reposado (meaning Rested or Aged) is matured in barrels for two months to one year, allowing it to develop a distinctive flavour profile.
- Añejo, on the other hand, is aged in barrels for one to three years. This extended time in the barrel deepens its flavour, aroma, and colour, resulting in a richer, more complex taste
For the perfect Paloma, we recommend using a high-quality Blanco tequila made from 100% agave.
While the traditional recipe uses grapefruit soda, many bartenders now prefer fresh grapefruit juice. It’s refreshing and easy to prepare. If you enjoy fresh ingredients, pair the grapefruit juice with plain sparkling water to achieve the signature fizz.
Alongside the grapefruit juice, it’s time to squeeze in some fresh lemon juice. The lemon enhances the Paloma’s tangy profile. If you prefer a more balanced flavour, you can always add a sweetener, such as agave syrup or simple syrup, to mellow the tartness.
We’re nearly there! Some people enjoy a salted rim, while others prefer a pinch of salt added directly to the drink to enhance the flavours. If you’d rather skip this step, that’s perfectly fine. Garnishes like grapefruit and lemon slices are optional but add an elegant finishing touch.
Variations for the Paloma Cocktail Recipe
The Paloma is always a fantastic choice, but there are countless ways to get creative with this classic cocktail. Here are some great ideas to inspire you:
More Top Paloma Recipe Variations
Strawberry Ginger Paloma
If you’re a fan of strawberries, this simple Paloma recipe is sure to become one of your favourites!
To prepare this refreshing cocktail:
- Squeeze fresh grapefruit juice into a large bowl.
- Add ginger beer, tequila, and fresh strawberries.
- Allow the strawberries to soak for about five minutes.
- Muddle the strawberries, then pour the mixture into glasses filled with ice.
- Alternatively, strain the mixture to remove the fruit if you prefer a smoother drink.
- Garnish with strawberry slices, fresh rosemary, thyme, mint sprigs, or lime slices.
Jolly Merry Holiday
This Jolly Merry cocktail turns the holiday season into the most wonderful time of the year. With just tequila, grapefruit juice, and a splash of dry sparkling wine to top it off, you’ll have a delightful drink that brings festive cheer to the table.
Sparkling Paloma
Try this delightful sparkling twist on our beloved Paloma recipe:
- 60ml Altos Plata Tequila
- 15ml Agave honey
- 15ml Lemon or lime juice
- 3 Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda
- A pinch of salt
Pour the tequila, agave, lime juice, and pink grapefruit soda into a highball glass. Stir well to dissolve, then top up with soda. Serve in glasses filled with ice, garnish, and enjoy!
The secret to a perfect Paloma—or any tequila-based cocktail—is the quality of the tequila. Olmeca Altos tequila is made from 100% agave and distilled in small batches to ensure exceptional quality. As you’d expect, 100% agave delivers a superior taste. Plus, Altos tequila is surprisingly affordable.
Others Cocktails that Might Interest You
Looking to add a little excitement to date night? We’ve got just the drink for you: the Spicy Margarita Recipe.
Did you know this is one of the most popular cocktails? It truly is! It’s a top choice for those looking to bring a bit of extra zing to their evening. While there are many variations of this drink, our favourite is made with tequila and fresh lime juice. Absolutely delicious!
Summer is here, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to spend time with family and friends over fantastic meals and refreshing drinks!
Look at the Calories in this Paloma Recipe
Here are the total calories for this refreshing drink:
- 60ml of Altos Plata: 128 calories
- 60ml of pink grapefruit juice: 24 calories
- 30ml of lemon juice: 8 calories
- 15ml of agave syrup: 43 calories
Therefore, the approximate total calories in this Paloma recipe amount to around 203 calories. Please note that this is only an estimate, and actual values may vary depending on the precise quality and quantity of the ingredients used.
How to garnish our Paloma Cocktail with Pink Grapefruit Juice
Adding a garnish to your Paloma Cocktail is quick and straightforward. Pink grapefruit juice works perfectly as a garnish.
- Step 1: Pour a small splash of pink grapefruit juice over the top of your drink.
Step 2: Place a lemon wedge into your glass, then squeeze it gently to release its juices into the cocktail.
This adds an extra touch of sweetness and colour, making the cocktail even more visually enticing.
