This Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe is a quick, tasty, and refreshing tequila cocktail for your upcoming festivities. This Mexican cocktail, it's easy to make in minutes, uses very few ingredients (including Tequila!), and is a crowd-pleaser. Perfect for your next big event or with a few guests on a weekend dinner!
In This Post
Why You'll Love This Paloma Cocktail
National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15th to October 15th and is a time to celebrate the cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States. This period also coincides with Mexican Independence Day (September 16), so Mexicans are particularly happy during this season!
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate this month, and if you’re looking to liven up your party or reunion with a cool, citrusy beverage on the rocks, then I’ve got you covered!
The drink I have for you today is called a “Paloma or La Paloma,” which means “dove” in Spanish. I think a Paloma is one of the best tequila cocktails you can make, not only because of its delicious citrus taste but also because you can prepare one very quickly.
History Of Paloma Cocktail
The Paloma is a famous Mexican cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit juice, or a grapefruit-flavored soda. Perfect for spring or summer! It's light and refreshing.
There is no documented information on the history of the Paloma cocktail or its history. Some believe that their origins come from the small bar in the town of Tequila, and others think that it was invented in Texas by bartender Evan Harrison. Mr. Harrison was named the cocktail creator on a brochure on Rio Grande cocktails in Texas in the 1950s.
Who invented the Paloma cocktail?
There is not a good source of information about who invented the Paloma cocktail or its history as mentioned above. However, some believe that it was created in a small cantina La Capilla (The Chapel), in the town of Tequila, Mexico, by Don Javier Delgado Corona in the 1950s.
FAQ
Before I share my cocktail recipe, here are a few frequent questions about homemade Paloma cocktails.
What can I use instead of grapefruit juice?
To make this drink, you can use fresh grapefruit juice or store-bought juice like Ruby Red 100% Grapefruit Juice. If grapefruit juice isn't available, grapefruit flavor soda is always an option (like La Croix Sparkling Water Grapefruit, Fresca, or Squirt drink ).
What does a paloma cocktail taste like?
Paloma cocktail is not usually sweet, but the addition of syrup (or sugar) really balances out all of the tart citrus flavors in this tequila cocktail.
What type of tequila can I use for the Paloma Cocktail?
The best type is Silver tequila /Blanco tequila (White Tequila), the purest unaged tequila. Made from the agave nectar of the blue agave plant exclusively in Mexico. Brands like Tequila Patron Silver and Don julio are excellent choices.
How to Make the Cocktail
📋 Ingredients
This fruity cocktail is very delicious, with sweet flavors and traditional Mexican spices.
Here is the list of ingredients you will need:
- Kosher salt
- Tequila Patrón Silver
- Fresh Lime juice (Bottle lime juice is ok too)
- Natural, simple syrup (or white sugar)
- Grapefruit juice
- Ice cubes
- Lime or grapefruit wedges (for garnish)
Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Jump to RecipeInstructions
To make things easier for you, I will break down the directions for making the Paloma cocktail into sections.
Prepare the rim of the glass
- Pour the salt on a small plate.
- Rub the glass rim with a lime or grapefruit wedge, making sure you don’t add too much liquid to the edge.
- Dip the glass rim in the salt.
Add drink ingredients
- Place the ice cubes in the glass (or jarritos).
- Pour in the Tequila Patrón, lime juice, and syrup (or sugar). Combine and stir well.
- Finally, add the Simple Truth™ 100% Grapefruit Juice, garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy your refreshing cocktail!
🍽 Side Dishes
I love to serve Paloma cocktails the way they’re served in Mexico, with some salty snacks like peanuts, olives, green ceviche, and other ready-made snacks.
Serve this drink with your favorite chunky guacamole recipe and tortilla chips! It will also taste perfect with a salty and sweet pico de Gallo recipe.
To serve this with something sweet, make a jicama and citrus salad. It is bursting with sweet and fresh flavors.
📚 More Authentic Mexican Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe for paloma cocktail, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:
I hope you make a paloma! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment below and tell us all about it!
¡Buen provecho!
Mely
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📖 Recipe
Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
- Kosher Salt to garnish the glass rim
- 3 tbsp. 1.5 oz. Tequila Patrón Silver
- 2 tbsp. Lime juice
- 1 tbsp. Natural syrup or white sugar
- 4 tbsp. 2 oz. Grapefruit juice, fresh or Simple Truth™ 100% Grapefruit Juice*
- ¾ cups ice cubes
- Lime or grapefruit wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the salt on a small plate. Rub the rim of the glass with a lime or grapefruit wedge (make sure you don’t add too much liquid to the rim), then dip the glass rim in the salt.
- Place the ice cubes in the glass.
- Pour in the Tequila Patrón, lime juice, and the syrup (or sugar). Combine well.
- Finally, add the Simple Truth™ 100% Grapefruit Juice, garnish with a wedge of lime or grapefruit, and enjoy your refreshing Paloma Cocktail!
Notes
- You can also use the Kroger Ruby Red Pulp-Free 100% Grapefruit Juice, or a Grapefruit Soda to make this Paloma Cocktail.
- Paloma Cocktail is not usually sweet, but the addition of the syrup (or sugar) enhances all the citrus flavors in this tequila cocktail.
- There is not a good source of information about who invented the Paloma cocktail or its history, or if it was even created in Jalisco, the State where Tequila is originated.
Priscilla
I’ve been visiting Mexico for decades and never ordered this popular drink. I have all of these ingredients thank it’s delicious. It’s my Quarantined Cocktail of the month. 😷
Patricia J Cruz
Meli, I have enjoyed your recipes. A personal favorite is a nice tall Vampiro. Sadly, I do not remember the recipe. Can you possibly help me out? Thank you, in advance.
Patricia/Tejas
mmartinez
Hello Patricia,
I think I have a Vampiro cocktail recipe somewhere in my notes. I will look for it.
Jayne Douglas
Excellent recipe, dear Mely! It's the house cocktail at the Gage Hotel in West Texas that's not too far from where I live on the Texas/Mexico border. Grapefruit is coming in season so I'll make it with Texas Ruby Red grapefruit. The nearest Kroger is 150 miles away. LOL! Thank you!