Paloma Cocktail

The most popular cocktail in Mexico is the Paloma cocktail, a refreshing drink made with tequila and tart grapefruit. There’s also a salted rim and a splash of soda that provides a little fizz. The pinkish-orange color may look frilly, but this is a sweet-and-sour cocktail that will have you asking for seconds.

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About this Paloma cocktail

Trivia time! What’s the most popular cocktail in Mexico?

Nope. Wrong. Sorry. It’s definitely not the margarita. Not what you were expecting me to say, was it?

This tart, bittersweet grapefruit cocktail is bright and refreshing. The perfect drink for everything from beach-sipping or taco-munching.

What is a Paloma?

The Paloma is a tequila cocktail made with lime juice and grapefruit soda and a salt rim. It’s popular in Mexico, where it supersedes the classic margarita. It’s fresh-tasting and therefore refreshing.

The Paloma cocktail is the first cousin to the American Salty Dog cocktail, which is mae with grapefruit juice and gin or vodka. If you skip the salted rim, that version is known simply as a Greyhound.

History

The history of the Paloma is a little unclear, like many other cocktails. Squirt soda, the most popular grapefruit soda for the Paloma, was only invented in Phoenix, Ariz. in 1938. Mexico didn’t start importing it until 1955. Soda brand Jarritos was invented in 1950 as a coffee soda and introduced its popular grapefruit soda sometime later.

The origin of the name “Paloma,” which is Spanish for “dove,” is uncertain. Some suggest it might have been confused with “pomelo,” which is Spanish for “grapefruit.”

Cocktail historian David Wondrich documented the Paloma’s debut on a menu at Tlaquepaque restaurant in Orange County, Calif., in 1999, though the drink likely goes back further as a popular cocktail served in Mexican homes.

Ingredients

The Paloma is a simple cocktail. Some recipes for the Paloma call for grapefruit juice, while others call for grapefruit soda. You can make it either way — I have directions for both in the recipe card at the end of this post, but I prefer it with the grapefruit soda as it’s a bit simpler.

• tequila: The best tequila for a Paloma is blanco tequila. It’s clear in color, so it lets the pink grapefruit color shine. Mezcal or reposado tequila are nice upgrades if you prefer something a little more top shelf.
• lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds a bit of tartness that balances the grapefruit’s natural bitterness. Use the bottled concentrate if you like, but fresh tastes best! (You can also skip this, if you prefer.)
• grapefruit soda: I used Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit, but other popular brands are Jarritos, Squirt and Fresca.

Garnish ideas

There are two garnishes that you’ll usually find on a Paloma: a salt rim and a piece of grapefruit. But it doesn’t stop there. Here are some garnish ideas for the Paloma:

• Rim of the glass: A salty rim of margarita salt is perfect for the Paloma. You could also go for chili-lime seasoning for a spicy experience or sugar if you prefer more sweetness.
• Citrus garnish: A simple slice of grapefruit is all you need. You can also add a lime slice or lime wedge. Dehydrated citrus would also be quite pretty and fancy-feeling.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like mint, thyme or cilantro would all add delicious aromas to the drink. But totally optional!
• Jalapeño: If you like things spicy, add a slice of fresh pepper. You could use a spicy salt on the rim, too.

Substitutions & variations

Try one of these variations on this recipe:

• Spicy Paloma: Use a spicy jalapeño-infused tequila instead of regular tequila.
• Mezcal Paloma: Or substitute the tequila for smoky mezcal, a flavorful and robust rendition of this drink.
• Paloma Mocktail: Use a zero-proof spirit such as Seedlip Grove 42 or Ritual tequila alternative for a delicious mocktail version.
• Skinny Paloma: Instead of grapefruit soda, use a mixture of grapefruit juice and club soda to limit the sugar in this drink.
• Paloma Jello Shots: Turn this cocktail into a fun, boozy party treat made with tequila and gelatin.

No grapefruit soda? Use ½ ounce agave nectar, 2 ounces grapefruit juice and 4 ounces club soda.

Instructions

Ready to make your own Paloma? Here’s how we do it:

Pour coarse salt onto a plate. Use a grapefruit wedge or lime wedge to rub the outer rim of a highball glass and dip the rim in the salt, being very careful not to get any on the inside of the glass.

Add ice to the glass. Pour in tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda and stir gently. Serve with a grapefruit wedge, if desired.

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Don’t skip the fresh lime juice. It balances out the sweet soda and bitter grapefruit.
• A salty rim also helps to balance out the citrus flavors. Try not to get salt on the inside of the glass.
• Experiment with flavors like spicy rim salt, infused tequila and fragrant garnishes.

Food pairings

Palomas are delicious with all your favorite Mexican foods! Try them while you munch on tortilla chips and guacamole or pineapple salsa. They’re also great with pork tacos for dinner.

For dessert, margarita bars (with tequila!) are delicious. Or you could go for grapefruit curd over pound cake or make a stunning grapefruit brûlée.

When to serve it

Palomas are the perfect drink for any time! You can enjoy them for a casual night at home or make them for a party. With just three ingredients, they are very easy party drinks.

• Taco Tuesday or any taco night
• Cinco de Mayo fiestas
• National Tequila Day (July 24)
• Bachelorette parties
• Dinner parties
• Summer soirées
• By the pool or beach

FAQ

More tequila cocktails

• Ranch Water
• Texas Margarita
• Mexican Mule
• Mexican Candy Shot
• Vampiro Drink