paloma_cocktail

How to Make a Paloma

How to Cocktail: The Paloma

San Francisco bartender Jacques Bezuidenhout shows you how to mix up a traditional Paloma. This refreshing tequila cocktail is simple to make and a favorite in Mexico.

• 2 oz Partida Blanco Tequila
• 1 pinch Salt
• Half a lime
• Grapefruit Soda, such as Jarritos or Squirt

Fill a highball glass with ice and add the tequila and salt. Squeeze the lime half into the glass and drop into the drink. Fill with grapefruit soda.

Paloma

Photo by Danny Kim

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Ingredients

1. • kosher salt
   • 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
   • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
   • 1 teaspoon sugar
   • 1/4 cup mezcal or tequila
   • 1/4 cup club soda

Preparation

1. 1. Pour some kosher salt on a plate. Rub half of rim of a highball glass with a grapefruit wedge; dip rim of glass in salt. Combine 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, and 1 teaspoon sugar in glass; stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in 1/4 cup mezcal or tequila, add ice, and top off with 1/4 cup club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.

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Nutritional Info

• Calories 172
• Carbohydrates 11 g(4%)
• Fat 0 g(0%)
• Protein 0 g(1%)
• Saturated Fat 0 g(0%)
• Sodium 457 mg(19%)
• Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
• Fiber 0 g(0%)
• Monounsaturated Fat 0 g

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I love this drink. Totally refreshing. Used an aged Hornitos Tequila and replaced the sugar with Agave.

I made it with jarritos grapefruit soda (latin food stores) and red grapefruit slices and fresh lime juice. Fan-fricken-tastic doesn't cover it. Lovely summer patio cocktail for all. Not sweet just delicious

Totally different from the Magazine. Kosher Salt (for rim) 2 oz. Tequila reposado 1/2 oz Lime Juice Grapefruit Soda Grapefruit Slice

This recipe is completely different from the one in the magazine! What's up with that?

I had some grapefruit lying around and decided to give these a try, I am so glad that I did. I added 1T of St. Germaine per other reviews since had some lying around that I wanted to use up. I also omitted the club soda, instead I used a splash of sparkling water to add some bubbles. I also used Agave Syrup to taste instead of sugar. This recipe was pretty tasty. I have made it several times. It does pack quite a punch, so be careful. I also thought that a little bit of heat would be nice so I have added a dash of cayenne pepper. This recipe is a keeper for sure! I would rate it 3.5 because I don¿t know if I would go out of my way to buy grapefruit for this drink but if I have them around it will certainly be on my mind.

Delicious. The grapefruit was too tart for some so I added 1/4oz St. Germaine.

Paloma Italiana. Just excellent .

Made this with Simply Grapefruit juice, fresh squeezed lime, Cuervo silver, and demerara simple syrup in place of the sugar. It seemed a little lacking something (probably due to not using fresh squeezed grapefruit juice). I added about 2 t. of Cointreau per serving and that dressed it up notably.

One word: YUM. I used silver tequila, which was perfect in my opinion.

This is a great version of the Paloma. I personally like a tablespoon to two of simple syrup over using sugar. I also like versions with equal parts of triple sec to the tequila. Great drink!

Not surprisingly, this cocktail was fantastic when made with vodka and sugar on the rim.

Loved this! Have made it twice: once w/fresh grapefruit juice and once with the best we could purchase. The latter was good, but definitely sooo much better when we used the fresh.

So delicious! How has it taken me so long to find this drink?

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Paloma

One of Mexico's most popular cocktails, the Paloma is a perfectly refreshing combination of sweet and tart with grapefruit, lime, and a pinch of salt.

One of Mexico's most popular cocktails, the Paloma is a perfectly refreshing combination of sweet and tart with grapefruit, lime, and a pinch of salt.

Ingredients

Instructions

Recipes

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Paloma: The Tequila Drink Everyone Needs to Try

• 3 mins
• Prep: 3 mins,
• Cook: 0 mins
• Yield: 1 serving

For a refreshing, thirst quenching tequila cocktail, the Paloma is definitely at the top of the list and it's a favorite in Mexico. This is a light, fruity drink with a great fizz and one of the smoothest tequila drinks you can mix up.

When you're ready to give your favorite Margarita a break, go ahead and try a Paloma. It's a true classic in the tequila world and countless drinkers agree that it's one of the best.

What You'll Need

• 2 ounces blanco or reposado tequila
• 1/2 ounce lime juice
• 7 ounces ​grapefruit soda (or enough to top off glass)
• Optional: salt for rimming

How to Make It

1. If desired, rim a collins glass with salt.
2. Fill the glass with ice and add the tequila and lime juice.
3. Top it off with grapefruit soda.

Choose Your Grapefruit Soda

Two elements are essential in any Paloma recipe: tequila and grapefruit. Traditionally, grapefruit soda is used and Jarritos is the most popular brand available (their grapefruit is labeled as Toronja). It's not too hard to find this Mexican soda, especially if you look at markets that sell international food or shop online.

Tip: When you find Jarritos, pick up a bottle of their tamarind soda as well. It's another fantastic soda that pairs well with tequila and can certainly be enjoyed on its own.

If you cannot find Jarritos, Squirt is the other grapefruit soda of choice and it is everywhere. To take your Paloma to a whole new level, check out the grapefruit sodas from boutique brands like Q Drinks.

Let's Not Forget the Tequila!

Choose a great blanco tequila for the best Paloma and if you're in the mood to splurge, reposados are nice as well. Just make sure that you fight the temptation to play the cheapskate simply because this is a tall drink. The same quality rules you apply to the Margarita should apply to your Paloma as well.

Once you learn to love the Paloma, you will want to get a taste of the Cantarito. That drink is just as refreshing, it simply builds on the citrus flavor.

A Revised Paloma Recipe

The recipe above is considered to be the original way to make a Paloma. In the wild world of drinks, you can only imagine that a drink this popular has been made over more than a few times. The following recipe has become one of the popular renditions.

In this Paloma recipe, the soda and citrus ingredients have been flipped. Instead of a grapefruit soda, grapefruit juice is used. This requires a different soda to be brought into the mix and, in this case, club soda is called upon.

All of the great Paloma flavors remain, this recipe is just a different way to get the same results. Many people enjoy the original Paloma a little more.

Yet, when you're in the mood for the drink and no grapefruit soda can be, turning to the grapefruit juice in your fridge is the next best thing.

To make this drink, simply mix 2 ounces each of tequila and grapefruit juice with 1/2 ounce lime juice. Fill the glass with ice and top with club soda. Stir well.

How Strong Is the Paloma?

Your Paloma can be as strong or as weak as you choose to make it, it all depends on how much soda you pour. Let's take the average and assume we pour 5-ounces of soda and use an 80-proof tequila. In this case, this tall drink is a very mild 10% ABV (20 proof). That makes this equal to the average glass of wine, so enjoy and Salud!

Paloma Cocktail

Recipe by Catherine B.

Paloma Cocktail

SERVES:

UNITS:

Ingredients Nutrition

• 3 ⁄₄ cup crushed ice
• 2 ounces tequila (Hornitos Reposado)
• 1 ounce cointreau orange liqueur
• 2 ounces fresh-squeezed grafefruit juice (I sub Simply Grapefruit found in the cold juice section)
• Fresca soda, original citrus sparkling soda

Directions

1. Place crushed ice in a 10-oz glass. Add tequila, Cointreau, and grapefruit juice. Add Fresca to fill the glass. Stir. Enjoy!
2. The recipe is easily adapted for mixing several in a pitcher.

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Nutrition Info

Serving Size: 1 (178 g)

Servings Per Recipe: 1

Amt. Per Serving % Daily Value Calories 0 Calories from Fat 0 0% Total Fat 0 g 0% Saturated Fat 0 g 0% Cholesterol 0 mg 0% Sodium 5.3 mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 0 g 0% Dietary Fiber 0 g 0% Sugars 0 g 0% Protein 0 g 0%

Paloma

• Display recipe in:

How to make:

SHAKE first 4 ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled glass. TOP with grapefruit soda and lightly stir.

Salt rim (optional) & pink or red grapefruit wedge

Reminiscent of a long, fruity, Margarita.

Paloma is Spanish for 'dove' and this well-known cocktail in Mexico was created by the legendary Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner/bartender of La Capilla (The Chapel) in Tequila, Mexico.

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Paloma

It turns out the Paloma, not the Margarita, is Mexico's most beloved cocktail.

Ingredients

Recipe Preparation

Pour some kosher salt on a plate. Rub half of rim of a highball glass with grapefruit wedge; dip rim of glass in salt. Combine grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sugar in glass; stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in mescal, add ice, and top off with club soda. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.

Nutritional Content

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the perfect paloma cocktail

The Paloma is the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico and if you struggle to drink tequila cocktails because they bring back too many dreadful memories of drunken student days and debauchery, this might just be the alternative.

It’s delightfully refreshing and sophisticated, complimenting spicy Mexican food perfectly.

I fell in love with this cocktail at my favourite Cape Town Mexican restaurant El Burro.

This is how they make this fabulous drink.

*reposado tequila means rested tequila (aged in oak for at least 2 months)

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

• 1 1/2 shots of reposado tequila (or any good quality blanco)
• juice of half a ruby grape fruit
• 1/2 shot of agave syrup or sugar syrup
• about 75ml club soda
• a squirt of fresh lime juice (optional)

1. Mix the grapefruit juice, tequila and sugar syrup until well mixed.
2. Pour over a tall glass filled with ice and top up with soda water. You could add a squirt of lime juice which is nice and I did, and you could also rim the glass with salt.

If you are wanting to reduce your sugar intake, simply leave the sugar out. Its less sweet but delicious.

Tequila, it makes you happy. Enjoy!

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90 Comments

Beautiful pics Sam, just love the colours — I could really do with one of those now.

I could TOTALLY go for one of those right now!

Pinned this, I know what I’m drinking this weekend.

Been thinking about these ever since I pinned them. Hubby’s making posole for dinner tonight, and we have a big bowl of fresh grapefruit….You do the math! Oh my, they are tasteeee. Dinner won’t be ready for a while. We could be in trouble…

Thanks for sharing.

Awesome Becca I so love that cocktail (its no too sweet and I love grapefruit). I hope you had a fab dinner.

I left a “yummy” comment on my pin last night. Since then over 85 people have repinned it! They are in for a treat. =)

Wow that’s awesome Becca thanks 🙂 – I have been totally blown away by this post which shot to the top of my ‘most popular’ posts soon after it went up 2 weeks ago.

This is awesome and refreshing great! I love it!

I’ve been looking for uses for a hibiscus simple syrup I made, this would be fantastic! Thank you!

Hi Helen that sounds interesting (although I have never been a fan of the flavour of hibiscus)

OMG……. I live in south Texas and this is what the Chamber of Commerce serves at Official Events, it is called Border Buttermilk……….delicious!

Hi Mary Beth – just like I thought – a posh cocktail 🙂

I’m Amanda, a writer for Spoon University, and I’m writing a story about cocktails. If it’s okay with you, I’d love to use the first photo in the article and of course give you proper photo credit.

If you could let me know by tonight, that would be great.

Thanks so much ahead of time.

I run pugsmodernlife.com and I’m going to be posting a recipe round up of Mexican and Mexican-inspired recipes mid-September and would love to include your perfect paloma cocktail!

With your permission, I’d like to include a picture and link to both the recipe and your site (but will totally understand and not be offended if you don’t want me to).

Thank you so much for your time 🙂

Sure Pug, no problem. Thanks for asking.

Thanks for sharing this great recipe

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Sam, a professional food stylist, recipe developer and food photographer hunting down the delicious things in life.

TASTE cocktails

The Paloma Recipe and History – How to make a Paloma cocktail

The Paloma is the signature drink in our May 2016 subscriber’s kit featuring Casa Herradura Tequilas. Your kit will be able to make 5-6 Tequila cocktails, from a choice of recipes.

For a refreshing thirst quenching tequila cocktail look no further than the Paloma. It’s a Mexican favourite and a great change from your classic Margarita.

Little is known about the historical origin of the Paloma, the most popular tequila-based cocktail in Mexico. Some believe that it is named after La Paloma (“The Dove”), the popular folk song composed in the early 1860s. Diffords guide states it was created by the legendary Don Javier Delgado Corona, owner and bartender of La Capilla, in Tequila, Mexico.

Sweet, sour, a little bitter, and salty, it’s got all four taste groups, plus ice, bubbles, and alcohol; what’s not to like?

Looking for something to drink on a sunny spring day…tequila with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and mixed with a bit of lime juice and agave to round everything off…you have a real crowd pleaser. A touch of kosher salt on the rim of the glass will add a little extra touch.

• 50ml Tequila (El Jimador is best)
• 50ml freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
• 15ml freshly squeezed lime
• 15ml agave nectar
• Top up with Grapefruit soda water

Shake the first 4 ingredients together in cocktail shaker with ice. Then pour into a glass filled with large ice cubes and top with grapefruit soda. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime.

Note: If you can’t find grapefruit soda, you can use grapefruit bitters and freshly squeezed grapefruit and top with regular soda and maybe a little sugar syrup to sweeten to taste.

Sign up now to try this great drink in our May 2016 subscribers kit.

Paloma Cocktail

Very refreshing, a little sweet and slightly tart, this PALOMA COCKTAIL is the perfect drink to enjoy on those warmer evenings as the sun goes down!

The paloma (Spanish for dove) is the most popular cocktail in Mexico. It’s a delicious change of pace of the ever popular margarita, but don’t get me wrong. I love a margarita too, since there are many warm months in our future, there is time to enjoy them all.

Most commonly mixed with a grapefruit flavored soda, making drinks with freshly squeezed juice always best and now that fresh produce is coming into season there’s no reason not too. Pink grapefruits are so delicious, I like to eat a half of one for breakfast. They make for such a pretty drink and combined with the sweetness of the triple sec and tang of the lime juice, this drink goes down really well.

The paloma is perfect for a casual get-together or just an evening on the porch and you can customize the drink to your taste. If you like it a little more tart, add more grapefruit, if you like it sweet, add more triple sec or add agave nectar.