How to Make a Paloma Cocktail

Name: Mexican Paloma Celebration Cocktail
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2-3 tablespoons smoked sea salt (optional (for rimming)); 1 1/2 ounces tequila or mezcal; 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice; 1/2 ounce simple syrup (flavored or plain); 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice; 1 ounce sparkling water

Home » Mexican Recipes » How to Make a Paloma Cocktail (Mexico’s Favorite Tequila Drink)

Quick Summary: The Paloma is arguably Mexico’s most popular cocktail, even more so than the margarita. Made with tequila (or mezcal), fresh grapefruit juice, lime, and sparkling water. Light, refreshing, and slow carb friendly. Prep: 10 min | Serves: 1

English lab sitting on a couch. — My son’s English lab on our couch

Paloma cocktail with sides of grapefruit and lime wedges. — Paloma cocktail

Jump to: RECIPE | Ingredients & Substitutions | How to Make It | More Mexican Cocktails | FAQ

The Paloma outsells the margarita in Mexico, though you wouldn’t know it from American bar menus. It’s lighter, less sweet, and more refreshing, built on grapefruit juice rather than the orange liqueur and lime of a margarita.

I make mine with mezcal for a smoky edge, though tequila works just as well. A smoked sea salt rim adds another layer of flavor but isn’t required. The key is fresh grapefruit juice. Don’t skip that.

What Is a Paloma?

A Paloma (pah-LOH-mah, meaning “dove” in Spanish) is a Mexican cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sparkling water. Some versions use grapefruit soda (like Jarritos or Squirt), but fresh juice makes a better drink.

It’s lighter and more refreshing than a margarita, with the bitter-sweet grapefruit balancing the tequila’s vegetal notes.

The Paloma is popular year-round in Mexico but especially in hot weather, and it is rapidly gaining popularity in the US.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients shown below are the ones I used, primarily because it is what I had on hand. It is perfectly fine to sub in tequila for mezcal, simple syrup for my vanilla syrup and any carbonated water you prefer.

Check out the ingredient and substitution list below, but make sure you stick with fresh grapefruit!

Base spirit:

Tequila (blanco or reposado) is traditional
Mezcal adds smokiness (my preference)

Citrus:

Fresh grapefruit juice (essential, don’t use bottled)
Fresh lime juice

Sweetener:

Simple syrup (plain or flavored)
Adjust amount based on grapefruit sweetness

Carbonation:

Sparkling water or club soda
Grapefruit soda for a sweeter version

Optional:

Smoked sea salt for rimming the glass

The smoked sea salt shown above was used to rim the glass. It adds a smoky flair to the cocktail, but it is definitely optional.

How to Make a Paloma

If rimming the glass, pour smoked salt on a plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim and dip into the salt.
In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila (or mezcal), grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and lime juice. Add ice and shake for 15 to 30 seconds.
Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge if desired.

More Popular Mexican Cocktails

Here are a few more favorite Mexican cocktails of mine:

Spicy cranberry margarita with salted rim and 3 cranberries as a garnish. — Spicy Cranberry Margarita

Rum Horchata craft cocktail with ingredients

Spicy Michalada made with Orange Chipotle Shrub Syrup

FAQ

Is the Paloma slow carb friendly?

Yes. Tequila and mezcal have zero carbs. Fresh grapefruit juice has some natural sugar, but in the amounts used here (3 ounces), it’s reasonable. Skip the simple syrup or use a sugar-free version to reduce carbs further.

What’s the difference between a Paloma and a margarita?

The margarita uses lime juice and orange liqueur. The Paloma uses grapefruit juice and is typically lighter and less sweet.

Can I use grapefruit soda instead of fresh juice?

You can, but the drink will be sweeter and less fresh-tasting. Jarritos Toronja or Squirt are the traditional sodas used. If using soda, skip the simple syrup and sparkling water.

Check out this complete guide to stocking your pantry for Mexican cooking, from everyday meals to holiday celebrations.

Mexican Paloma Celebration Cocktail

A light refreshing Mexican cocktail made with tequila or mezcal and fresh grapefruit juice.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 0

Servings

Calories 180

Author Dorothy Stainbrook

Equipment

Cocktail Shaker
bar set optional

Ingredients

2-3 tablespoons smoked sea salt optional (for rimming)
1 ½ ounces tequila or mezcal
3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
½ ounce simple syrup flavored or plain
½ ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce sparkling water

Instructions

If you are going to rim the glass, pour the smoked salt on a plate and take a wedge of lime and run it around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt on the plate.
2-3 tablespoons smoked sea salt
In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, the grapefruit juice, the simple syrup and the lime juice. Shake for 15-30 seconds to mix and chill ingredients.
Strain into the previously rimmed glass and top off with sparkling water.
1 1/2 ounces tequila or mezcal, 3 ounces fresh grapefruit juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce sparkling water

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSodium: 16mgPotassium: 164mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

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