Sparkling Mexican Paloma Cocktail with Blanco Tequila & Grapefruit
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If you like to dabble with different cocktails from around the world, make sure the Mexican Paloma Cocktail is on your list.
Paloma is Mexico’s national drink; interestingly, Paloma means dove in Spanish.
You achieve this super refreshing drink by mixing grapefruit juice, Blanco Tequila, and lime juice, resulting in a unique sweet and sour taste.
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Mexican Paloma Cocktail
The full ingredients list and instructions are found in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. I highly recommend reading the blog post all the way through so that you don’t miss any tips or substitution suggestions and to ensure that you have all the ingredients and equipment required as well as understand the steps and timings involved.
The Mexican Paloma cocktail is traditionally made with Blanco Tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit-flavored soda – adding salt to the rim of the glass, like you would with a margarita, is optional.
Our less sweet version uses fresh pink grapefruit juice and club soda. However, if desired, you can add sweetness to your taste with simple or agave syrup.
If you can find grapefruit soda in your area, you could just use that instead, but I love the freshness of using grapefruit juice.
Palomas are commonly served in highball glasses. If none are available, whiskey glasses (as pictured), stemless wine glasses, or other forms of glassware can be used.
We have a collection of 70+ Mexican and Tex-Mex Recipes as well as 39 Unique Margarita Recipes for you to try out!
Ingredients Used In This Cocktail
For your convenience, I’ve linked any specialized ingredients needed for this recipe to Amazon below.
- Himalayan Rock Salt – to add a salt rim to the glasses if desired.
- Fresh Limes
- Fresh Pink Grapefruit – One large pink grapefruit should yield approximately 6oz (170ml) of juice if using a manual juicer. Alternatively, buy a carton/bottle of pink grapefruit juice to use (great when making a big batch of this cocktail!).
- Blanco Tequila
- Club Soda
How Do You Salt the Rim of a Glass?
You can serve Palomas with or without a salt rim. Pink Himalayan rock salt would really compliment the color of this drink, but you could use regular white salt if you wish.
- Pour some salt (kosher salt/sea salt flakes work well) onto a small plate or saucer.
- Cut a wedge of lime and then cut a notch/sit into the flesh – and run it around the rim of the glass to add juice to the insider and outside edges.
- Dip the glass rim into the salt and give it a twist or two (like you’re cutting cookies from dough).
- And you’re done!
You can actually buy cocktail rimming dishes online (there is a gadget for everything!) but a small plate or saucer will work just fine.
More Tequila Cocktails To Make
Want to make more tequila cocktails? I think you’re going to love these ones:
- Texas Margaritas with Raspberry Liqueur & Jalapeños!
- Frozen Strawberry Margaritas Are Perfect For Summer!
- Hawaiian Margarita Cocktail
Paloma Variations
I like to try and give variations on the cocktails shared on The Purple Pumpkin Blog, and especially turning the cocktail into a mocktail so that non-drinkers (and kids if suitable) can enjoy the drink too!
Virgin Paloma Mocktail (non-alcoholic)
So that non-drinkers can enjoy a Paloma mocktail, simply omit the tequila and replace with additional club soda.
Non-drinking adults who still want the tequila flavor could experiment with a non-alcoholic alternative:
- If you’re in the US, you could try Ritual Tequila Alternative – a zero-alcohol tequila
- In the UK you could try Mockingbird which is alcohol-free and humbly mimicking the taste of Tequila by using authentic Mexican Blue Weber Agave.
To make a Virgin Paloma Mocktail simply follow the recipe card, but replace the Blanco tequila with the non-alcoholic tequila.
Frozen Paloma
Want to turn this Mexican beverage into a frozen slushie? Easy! Put all the ingredients in a blender with a generous amount of crushed ice – then blend till smooth. Serve with a straw, and watch out for brain freeze! You could do the same with the mocktail version too.
Paloma Party Punch
Want to make this cocktail for a crowd? It’s so easy! Here’s how to do it!
As long as you use the same measuring container (glass, cup, jug, etc.,) for the “1 part”, the ratios will be correct and you can make as much as you need to.
Serve the large batch cocktail in drinks dispensers, pitchers, or go really retro and serve it from a punch bowl! Whichever container best suits your event (and the drink!).
Make sure you add plenty of ice to your serving receptacle of choice to keep the cocktail chilled. Add some grapefruit or lime slices in there too.
You could also skewer the fruit onto cocktail picks for guests to garnish their glasses of drink.
Speaking of which, place cocktail glasses in the bar/serving area along with a filled ice bucket, stirrers, and cocktail decorations if suitable!
To make a big batch of Paloma Party Punch, mix together:
- 6 parts Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice
- 3 parts Blanco Tequila
- ½ part fresh lime juice
- Club Soda – to top up
- Optional: Simple Syrup or Agave Syrup to sweeten, to taste
This cocktail recipe is intended for adults of the legal drinking age in your country of residence.
Please drink responsibly. Do not drink and drive.
How Do I Make a Mexican Paloma Cocktail?
Just check out the recipe card below with full ingredients and instructions. You can print the card out too (don’t worry, any pics don’t print to save your ink!).
Sparkling Mexican Paloma Cocktail
If you like to dabble with different cocktails from around the world then make sure the Mexican Paloma Cocktail is on your list.
Ingredients
- Himalayan Rock Salt, fine
- 1 Large Lime, cut into wedges
- Ice
- 6 oz Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice
- 3 oz Blanco Tequila
- ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Club Soda
- Optional: Simple Syrup or Agave Syrup to sweeten, to taste
For Garnish
- Lime Wheels and/or Twisted Grapefruit Peel
Instructions
- Pour the Himalayan salt into a shallow dish. Wipe the rim of each glass with a wedge of lime and place the wet edge into the salt to line the rim. For best results, rotate and firmly press the rim into the salt several times.
- Fill each glass with ice. Divide the grapefruit juice, tequila, and lime juice between the two glasses and give the mixture a quick stir to combine.
- To serve, top off each glass with some club soda and garnish with a lime wheel and/or a piece of grapefruit rind. Enjoy!
Notes
Tip: One large pink grapefruit should yield approximately 6 oz. of juice if using a manual juicer.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 295mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g
This site uses Nutritionix to provide estimated nutrition. Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Make It A Meal!
The beverage is covered, but what about other dishes to make this recipe into a full meal? Here are my suggestions!
- Appetizer: Quick & Easy Spicy Salsa Recipe
- Soup: Pozole Rojo de Pollo (Red Pozole with Chicken)
- Salad: Mexican Bean Salsa
- Main Dish: Mexican Shredded Beef in the Slow Cooker
- Side Dish: Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
- Dessert: Creamy Banana Frozen Yogurt – A Yummy Summer Dessert Idea!
There are 500+ Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog for you to enjoy! Please feel free to check them out too.