• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
    • Recipes
      • Bars + Brownies
      • Breads
      • Breakfast
      • Cakes + Cupcakes Recipes
      • Chocolate
      • Cocktails + Smoothies
      • Cookies Recipes
      • Gluten Free
      • Savory
      • Cocktails + Smoothies Recipes
      • Tarts + Pies Recipes
      • Entertaining
    • Seasonal
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Joy + Oliver

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Savory
  • Sips
  • Sweets
  • Seasonal
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Savory
    • Sips
    • Sweets
    • Seasonal
    • Recipes
    • Entertaining
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cocktails + Smoothies Recipes » The Best Paloma Cocktail

    Published: Mar 15, 2024 by Kristen Massad · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    The Best Paloma Cocktail

    • Facebook
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Three glasses with grapefruit, lime juice and tequila mixed together with a fresh mint leave on top next to pint flowers.

    The Best Paloma Cocktail is a tequila-based cocktail mixed with fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and sparkling water. The most refreshing spring and summer cocktail and an easy skinny cocktail to enjoy!  

    Three glasses with grapefruit, lime juice and tequila mixed together with a fresh mint leave on top next to pint flowers.

    Would you like to save this?

    We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    When you think of traditional Mexican-inspired cocktails, margaritas are usually the first drink that comes to mind. Trust me, I love a good margarita, but the Paloma Cocktail is quickly winning me over.

    The fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice and sparkling water combined to make one of the most refreshing, simple, and flavorful cocktails. It's not too sweet and not too tart; there is no added sweetener to this drink, just simple and pure ingredients.

    I love the simple and pure flavors of tequila in this recipe, but there's also a special place in my heart for sweeter drinks like Skinny Blood Orange Margarita and Blackberry Tequila Lemonade.

    Ingredients

    A bottle of tequila next to limes, a sliced grapefruit and a plate with salt.

    Grapefruit Juice
    The grapefruit juice adds so many wonderful features to The Perfect Paloma. The sweet and tart flavor of fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, I love the texture that the fresh fruit pulp brings to the drink and it makes the most beautiful blush color. If you don't have fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, you can use a bottled juice but it will slightly change the flavor.

    Lime Juice
    Same as the grapefruit juice, I prefer fresh-squeezed lime juice. It is hard to compare bottled lime juice to fresh squeezed and since you only need 1 ounce, grab a few limes at the grocery store and keep them in your fridge for a last minute Paloma Cocktail night.

    Tequila
    The quality of tequila you use in this cocktail is pretty important since the flavors are so pure, you will taste a bad quality tequila. You definitely don't need the best, but good quality is key.

    Sparkling Mineral Water
    Sparkling mineral water is the last ingredient poured into the glass to top it off, but let me tell you, this makes it so good. I will say we are pretty partial to Topo Chico but club soda can also be used. Topo Chico seems to have the perfect bubble that finishes these off so well!

    Salted Rim
    A classic salted rim really takes the Paloma to another level, I can't live without it. The salt with the grapefruit and lime juice really makes it special. Coarse sea salt is perfect to garnish the glass, but if you want to add some heat, add Chile Lime Salt from Trader Joe's or you can make your own chile salt. Chile Salt is equal amounts of coarse sea salt and chile powder mixed together.

    Step-by-Step Directions

    A bottle of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice next to glasses filled with a clear cocktail.
    • Prepare your glass by coating the rim of the glass with lime juice and dip the glass into the coarse sea salt or Chili Lime Salt; set aside
    • Pour in the grapefruit juice, lime juice and tequila into the prepared glass
    • Fill the remainder of the glass with ice and top the glass off with Topo Chico or other sparkling water and stir
    • Garnish the glass with fresh mint and a slice of grapefruit
    • Enjoy!
    Three glasses with grapefruit, lime juice and tequila mixed together with a fresh mint leave on top next to pink flowers.

    Tips and FAQs for The Best Paloma Cocktail

    • While fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is best, you can use store bought for this drink! Just make sure there's no sugar or other added ingredients in it, as they could change the flavor. The same goes for the lime juice!
    • For a special touch, salting the glass rim with coarse sea salt or chili lime salt is amazing!
    What kind of Tequila should be used in a Paloma Cocktail?

    This is a personal preference thing, so use whichever good quality tequila is your favorite! A few of our favorites are Codigo, Clasaazul, and Casamigos.

    More Cocktails You Will Love

    • Four glasses or orange liquid with a slice of blood orange and a thyme sprig.
      Skinny Blood Orange Margarita
    • Strawberry Mojito Cocktail
    • The Best Cucumber Margaritas
    • close up photo of maple bourbon sour cocktail
      Maple Bourbon Sour Cocktail

    Thank you for visiting Joy + Oliver. If you tried this recipe, please leave a 5 Star Review in the recipe card and save all your favorite recipes to Pinterest!

    Please visit us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more of our favorite recipes that you will love!

    Three glasses with grapefruit, lime juice and tequila mixed together with a fresh mint leave on top next to pint flowers.

    The Best Paloma Cocktail

    The Best Paloma Cocktail is a tequila-based cocktail mixed with fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, and sparkling water. The most refreshing spring and summer cocktail and an easy skinny cocktail to enjoy!  
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: cocktails
    Cuisine: Cocktails
    Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 Cocktail
    Calories: 151kcal
    Author: Kristen Massad

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ ounce Fresh Grapefruit Juice
    • 1 ½ ounce Fresh Lime Juice
    • 2-3 Ounces Tequila
    • Sparkling Mineral Water I love Topo Chico
    • Ice
    • Course Salt or Chili Lime Salt for rimming the glass
    • Garnish: French Mint Leaves and Sliced Grapefruit

    Instructions

    • Prepare you glass by coating the rim of the glass with lime juice and dip the glass into the course sea salt or Chili Lime Salt; set aside
    • Pour in the grapefruit juice, lime juice and tequila into the prepared glass
    • Fill the remainder of the glass with ice and top the glass off with Topo Chico or other sparkling water and stir
    • Garnish the glass with fresh mint and a slice of grapefruit
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    • While fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice is best, you can use store bought for this drink! Just make sure there's no sugar or other added ingredients in it, as they could change the flavor. The same goes for the lime juice
    • For a special touch, salting the glass rim with coarse sea salt or chili lime salt is amazing!
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @JoyandOliver or tag #JoyandOliver!

    More Cocktails + Smoothies Recipes

    • A white plate under three clear glasses with lemons on them, filled with light yellow liquid and green fresh mint leaves.
      Easy Homemade Lemonade
    • One glass filled with bright red liquid and a ruby red cherry in each.
      Champagne Shirley Cocktail
    • A clear glass filled with a pink creamy liquid, topped with a dark pink powder and a green mint leaf.
      High Protein Raspberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie
    • three glasses of a christmas cocktail with rosemary, cinnamon and dried grapefruit
      Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail (and Punch)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristen Massad says

      January 22, 2022 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Our favorite cocktail all season long!

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Joy + Oliver is very special to me and has allowed me to introduce you to not only my love for baking and entertaining, but my sweet family as well.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • a platter of meats, cheeses, veggies and chocolate in the center of easter decorations
      Spring Charcuterie Board
    • Light brown cookie bar with dark brown chocolate chips, cut into small squares with a small white flower next to it.
      Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
    • A clear glass jar filled with green pesto sauce next to fresh basil and fresh yellow lemons.
      Best Basil Pesto Recipe
    • A white bowl with green pasta and a gold fork surrounded by white cheese and toasted bread.
      Homemade Basil Pesto Pasta
    • A brass sheet pan filled with small round bites size balls of oatmeal and peanut butter.
      No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites
    • A white bowl filled with a yellow liquid and orange carrots, white chicken, green celery and topped with melted cheese.
      Favorite Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (with Rotisserie Chicken)

    The Best Smoothie Recipes

    • Three cups with tan smoothie with lids and pink flowers.
      Easy Strawberry Cream Smoothie
    • Two clear glasses filled with green smoothie and a straw with sliced kiwi.
      Super Greens Energy Smoothie
    • Three clear glasses with orange smoothie, a pink straw, yellow straw and blue straw.
      Vitamin C Immunity Smoothie
    • A clear glass jar filled with blueberry smoothie, fresh blueberries and a fresh flower and a gold straw.
      Blueberry Protein Smoothie
    • two strawberry banana popsicles held up by a little boy
      Strawberry Banana Smoothie Popsicle
    • Tropical Avocado Smoothie

    Cocktail Recipes

    • Four glasses or orange liquid with a slice of blood orange and a thyme sprig.
      Skinny Blood Orange Margarita
    • The Best Cucumber Margaritas
    • Three clear glasses filled with a red drink, blackberries, mint and a flower.
      Blackberry Tequila Lemonade
    • a women holding a clear glass with a big ice ball filled with elderflower, bourbon, bitters and an edible flower
      Elderflower Old Fashioned Cocktail
    • Three glasses with grapefruit, lime juice and tequila mixed together with a fresh mint leave on top next to pint flowers.
      The Best Paloma Cocktail
    • A glass filled with a frothy pink drink with fresh flowers on top.
      The Best Frosé (Frozen Rosé)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest

    Privacy Policy/ Accessibility Statement

    Copyright © 2021 Joy+Oliver

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.