The Best Paloma Cocktail

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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.

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.

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