Paloma Recipe: Mexico’s Favorite Grapefruit Tequila Cocktail

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated November 10, 2026

Last Updated: November 10, 2026

A Paloma is made with 2 ounces of blanco tequila, 0.5 ounce of lime juice, and 3 to 4 ounces of grapefruit soda or fresh grapefruit juice with club soda, served over ice in a salt-rimmed tall glass. It is tangy, slightly bitter, and more popular in Mexico than the margarita.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
• 2 oz club soda (or 4 oz grapefruit soda instead of juice and club soda)
• 0.25 oz agave nectar, optional
• Coarse salt for the rim
• Grapefruit wedge and ice

Instructions

1. Rub a grapefruit wedge around half of the rim of a tall glass and dip into coarse salt.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and agave if using.
4. Stir to combine and chill.
5. Top with club soda and stir gently once. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Two Ways to Make It

The Soda Method

In Mexico, the most common Paloma is made with tequila, lime, and a grapefruit-flavored soda. It takes seconds: pour tequila and lime over ice, add grapefruit soda, and stir. The soda supplies sweetness, citrus flavor, and fizz in one go. This is the casual, everyday approach.

The Fresh Juice Method

Bartenders often build it with fresh grapefruit juice, lime, a touch of agave, and plain soda. This gives a drier, more complex drink with the natural bitterness of the fruit. Ruby red grapefruit gives a sweeter, pinker result, while white grapefruit is tarter.

Tequila Selection

Blanco tequila is the usual choice because its clean agave flavor lets the grapefruit show. Reposado adds a vanilla warmth that complements the fruit, and is a good option if you find blanco too sharp. A smoky mezcal produces a Paloma with an earthy depth that some drinkers prefer. Always look for tequila made from 100 percent agave.

Salt and Rims

The salt rim is more than decoration. Salt reduces the perception of bitterness and boosts the sweetness of the grapefruit. Use coarse salt and apply it only to the outside edge so it does not fall into the drink. Alternatives include chili-lime seasoning, smoked salt, or a mix of salt and sugar.

Paloma and Margarita Compared

Variations

Spicy Paloma

Muddle two jalapeno slices in the glass and use a chili-lime salt rim.

Mezcal Paloma

Swap the tequila for mezcal and garnish with a grapefruit peel.

Rosemary Paloma

Make rosemary simple syrup and use it instead of agave. Garnish with a sprig.

Hibiscus Paloma

Add 1 ounce of chilled hibiscus tea for a floral tartness and deep ruby color.

Frozen Paloma

Blend tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave, and ice. Pour into a salt-rimmed glass.

Sparkling Paloma

Replace club soda with dry prosecco for a celebratory version.

Glassware and Garnish

A tall highball or Collins glass is typical. The drink is often garnished with a grapefruit wheel or wedge and a lime wheel. For a prettier presentation, cut a thin grapefruit half-wheel and tuck it on the rim.

Food Pairings

The bitter citrus balances rich or spicy dishes. Serve it with carne asada, tacos al pastor, grilled corn, ceviche, queso fundido, or fresh guacamole. It also goes with salty snacks like roasted peanuts and tortilla chips. For brunch, pair it with chilaquiles or huevos rancheros.

Tips

• Squeeze grapefruit just before serving; the juice loses flavor quickly.
• Use soda made with real cane sugar for the soda method if you want a cleaner taste.
• Adjust the agave according to the sweetness of your fruit.
• Chill the glasses beforehand for a colder drink.

Enjoy your Paloma in moderation and drink responsibly.

Grapefruit Varieties and How They Change the Drink

Different grapefruits create different Palomas. Ruby red and Rio Star grapefruits are sweet with mild bitterness, which gives a rosy, approachable drink. White or yellow grapefruit is more sour and more bitter, so you may need a bit more agave. Oro blanco and pomelo hybrids are milder and sweeter. When shopping, pick fruit that feels heavy for its size, as this signals more juice.

Juicing Tips

Roll the fruit firmly on the counter before cutting, then use a handheld citrus press or a reamer to extract the juice. Strain out pulp if you prefer a clearer drink. One medium grapefruit yields about 6 to 8 ounces of juice, enough for three to four cocktails. Juice made ahead should be stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and used within a day for the best flavor.

Making a Pitcher of Palomas

For six servings, combine 12 ounces of blanco tequila, 12 ounces of grapefruit juice, 3 ounces of lime juice, and 1.5 ounces of agave nectar in a pitcher and chill for an hour. When ready, pour over ice in salt-rimmed glasses and top each with a splash of club soda. Adding soda at the end preserves the bubbles. Provide extra grapefruit wedges so guests can add more citrus to their own glass.

A Drink Rooted in Mexico

Although it is less famous abroad than the margarita, the Paloma is widely considered Mexico’s most popular tequila cocktail. In many bars and homes, it is made without measuring, using a squeeze of lime, a pour of tequila, and a splash of grapefruit soda. That relaxed approach explains why the drink feels so approachable: there is no shaker, no special syrup, and no complicated technique, just a tall glass and a few cold ingredients.

Adjusting Sweet and Bitter

Grapefruit soda varies in sweetness, so taste before adding extra sweetener. If your soda is very sweet, increase the lime. If you use fresh juice and the grapefruit is bitter, add a bar spoon of agave nectar. Salt on the rim reduces bitterness, so a lightly salted glass is a good starting point. Keep adjusting until the first sip feels tangy, bright, and slightly sweet.

Non-Alcoholic Paloma

Combine 3 ounces of grapefruit juice, 0.5 ounce of lime juice, and a teaspoon of agave, then top with sparkling water over a salted rim.

FAQ

What does Paloma mean?

Paloma is Spanish for dove. The drink’s origin story is uncertain, but the name is widely used across Mexico.

Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?

Yes, if it is 100 percent juice with no added sugar. Fresh tastes brighter, though.

Is a Paloma bitter?

It has a gentle bitterness from the grapefruit, which salt and agave soften.

Should the Paloma be shaken?

It is usually built in the glass. Shaking is not necessary unless you are mixing a larger batch with fresh juices.

Best Handheld GPS Devices for Reliable Navigation

Best Submersible vs External Return Pump: Top Compared Guide

Gin and Tonic Variations: 10 Easy Twists on the Classic Highball