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
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.
If you prefer a beer-based Mexican cocktail, the Clamato Michelada is another great option for hot weather and game days.
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.
The chile powder in a Paloma rim comes from dried Mexican peppers like chile de árbol. For more on which peppers to use and how the heat levels compare, see my guide to traditional Mexican chile peppers
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
Want to go deeper into tequila? Try setting up a tequila flight with homemade sangritas for your next dinner party
Here are a few more favorite Mexican cocktails of mine:
FAQ
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.
The margarita uses lime juice and orange liqueur. The Paloma uses grapefruit juice and is typically lighter and less sweet.
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.
A Paloma is tequila-based with grapefruit juice, light and citrusy. A Michelada is beer-based with tomato juice, savory and spicy. Both are refreshing Mexican drinks, but they taste completely different.
Paloma Cocktail
Equipment
- 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