How to Make a Paloma Cocktail—the Tequila Drink You Never Knew You Needed
Updated: Mar. 31, 2020
The Paloma is a popular Mexican cocktail starring smooth tequila and sweet-tart grapefruit soda. This simple Paloma recipe makes a fruity pink drink that's perfect for Cinco de Mayo. ¡Salud!
When you think of Mexican cocktails, you likely envision classic lime margaritas. However, the Paloma, which is Spanish for dove, might even be more popular than the margarita in Mexico. Made with tequila, grapefruit soda and lime juice, the Paloma boasts a sweet and zesty flavor with a smooth finish. Best of all—it’s a snap to make.
How to Make a Paloma Cocktail
Palomas pair well with traditional Mexican dishes like spicy pork and green chili verde and appetizers like tortilla chips and guacamole. Make a batch at your next party for guests to sip on!
What You’ll Need
- Coarse sea salt
- 1-1/2 ounces tequila
- 1/2 ounce lime juice
- 1/2 cup grapefruit soda (Some of our favorites are IZZE, Fresca, Jarritos and San Pellegrino.)
- Lime wedge
Step 1: Rim the Glass
Gently moisten the rim of a highball glass with water or fresh lime juice. Pour a bit of the sea salt onto a flat, clean surface (such as a plate or cutting board). Dip the glass into the salt lip-side-down to evenly coat the rim in salt—just the same as you’d do for a margarita.
Step 2: Shake and Pour
Add a few ice cubes to the glass. In a cocktail shaker, combine a dash of salt, the tequila and lime juice. Pour the drink into the glass, then slowly top with the grapefruit soda.
Step 3: Top It Off
Garnish with a lime wedge and a light sprinkling of more salt, if desired.
Of course, knowing how to make a Paloma doesn’t stop us from wanting to make a margarita, too. Here’s our simple recipe for margaritas on the rocks or blended.
If you’re looking to brush up on more bartender skills, our collection of surprisingly good mixed drinks will put your technique to the test.
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Paloma
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Margarita Sangria
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Grilled Pineapple Margarita
Here is a fun tequila drink from my blog, Hungry Enough To Eat Six! Planks of fresh pineapple are grilled to give them a wonderful smoky-sweetness that's delicious in a margarita. The grilled pineapple is frozen, then blended with tequila, ice and orange liqueur for a unique and scrumptious cocktail. Get Recipe
Frozen Lemon-Berry Margaritas
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Tequila Kiwi Smash
This jewel of a cocktail comes courtesy of the No Spoon Necessary food blog. Fresh and vibrant kiwi combine with cool mint leaves, plus tequila and club soda. The slices of kiwi add flavor and are delicious to nibble on between sips as well. Get Recipe
Bloody Maria
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Strawberry Sriracha Margarita
If you like spicy-sweet cocktails, then this is a really good one for you! This margarita recipe comes from Domestic Fits: fresh strawberries, orange liqueur, tequila—and a dash of fiery sriracha sauce. It's a fruity drink with some heat that you can make as subtle or intense as you like. Get Recipe Die-hard sriracha fans will love these recipes, too.
Fresh Lime Margaritas
When it comes to tequila drinks, sometimes it's nice to get back to basics. With lime juice, orange liqueur and rims dipped in salt, these are classic margaritas that please the crowd every time.
Kumquat Margaritas
Looking for an excuse to buy tasty little kumquats? This tequila drink recipe is just the thing! These small citrus fruits a great substitute for lime in a margarita recipe like this one.
New England Iced Tea
The familiar Long Island iced tea gets a Cape Cod update with this drink. The liquors from the original are still there—vodka, light rum, gin, Triple Sec and tequila. In place of sour mix, the bite in this iced tea comes from tart cranberry juice.
Refreshing Beer Margaritas
Have you ever tried a beer margarita before? The combination may sound unusual but is actually similar to a shandy, which is made with equal parts beer and lemonade. In this drink, the citrus kick comes from limeade concentrate, sour mix and slices of fresh lime. Here are a few more beer cocktails you'll love!
Spicy Pineapple Paloma
This is a unique twist on a classic paloma. The flavors of fresh grapefruit and tequila are still there, along with pineapple soda and a few slices of Serrano peppers. Instead of just salt on the rim, this drink has zesty Tajín—a spice blend of salt, lime and chili peppers. Get Recipe
Tequila Mojito
A traditional mojito cocktail is a blend of rum, mint and lime juice. This recipe from Delicious Everyday is a twist on that, using tequila in place of the rum—preferably anejo aged tequila to give a subtle smokiness to the drink. Get Recipe
Spicy Cucumber Margarita
Here is another drink to try if you're a fan of fiery cocktails! Slices of fresh cucumber and jalapeños are muddled with tequila and lime juice, plus a little agave nectar for a touch of sweetness. Get Recipe Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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