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You are here: Home / Drink / Paloma cocktail

Paloma cocktail

May 5, 2017 by Caroline's Cooking 14 Comments

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A Paloma cocktail is the REAL tequila cocktail you should be drinking if you want to be authentically Mexican, that’s also really easy to make and refreshing too. 

paloma cocktail, the real Mexican tequila cocktail with the refreshing tang of grapefruit.Margaritas are, other than particular brands of beer, the drink most people associate with Mexico. But in actual fact, people in Mexico don’t really drink them. Tequila and mexcal yes, but not made into margaritas. Instead, the paloma cocktail is the Mexican cocktail of choice. It’s easy to make, refreshing and with a delicious tart-citrus flavor. It’s definitely one to try this summer.

The paloma cocktail is the real tequila cocktail of Mexico: easy, refreshing and with a great citrus tang from grapefruit juice.I mentioned before (such as when I shared my mango habanero sauce), that Cinco de Mayo isn’t particularly celebrated in Mexico. So to a point, there’s no need to get too hung up on the authenticity of what you eat and drink, if you celebrate the day. However I think it’s always nice to learn authentic and lesser-known dishes, such a youvetsi from Greece, fideua from Spain and Nyonya shrimp and pineapple curry from Malaysia whether it’s a reminder of a trip or just for something different.

Tequila is indeed popular in Mexico, but as I say not usually in margaritas. More typically, people drink it neat, but sipped rather than as shots. The shot with lime and salt is only really if you have a lesser quality tequila. I’ve noticed you can buy a much broader range of tequilas here these days as it’s appreciated more. If you’re not up for neat, though, the paloma cocktail is a great alternative that’s still authentic.

paloma cocktailHow it’s made

This cocktail is so easy to make. In Mexico, they’ll often make it with a grapefruit soda, but you can also make it with fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water/club soda. It will be less sweet, but to me that’s better. You get to enjoy the fresh flavor much more. Just pour the tequila over some ice, add the grapefruit juice, a squeeze of lime and some soda water then serve. If you want it sweeter, mix in a little sugar with the juice, but otherwise that’s it.

Easy and refreshing, this is a great cocktail to sip on on a warm day. So add it to your cinco de Mayo celebration or any excuse you want to, really. Cheers!

paloma cocktail

5 from 3 votes
paloma cocktail
Print
Paloma cocktail
Prep Time
2 mins
Total Time
2 mins
 

The REAL Mexican tequila cocktail - simple and tasty.

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 1 (or 2)
Calories: 205 kcal
Author: Caroline's Cooking
Ingredients
  • 2 oz tequila 60ml (or mezcal)
  • 1 tbsp lime juice (a good squeeze)
  • 4 oz grapefruit juice 120ml
  • 2 oz sparkling water/club soda 60ml (or a little more)
  • 1 tsp sugar optional, approx - or a little more to taste
Instructions
  1. If you want to have a salt rim on your glass, rub the edge of the glass with either a slice of grapefruit or lime and dip the top of the glass in salt.
  2. Put a good few ice cubes in a glass (traditionally you use a high ball but I have used shorter, which holds around half this quantity). Add the tequila to the glass, the lime and grapefruit juice (with sugar mixed in if you prefer sweeter). Top up with sparkling water/club soda and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Paloma cocktail
Amount Per Serving
Calories 205
% Daily Value*
Sodium 19mg 1%
Potassium 183mg 5%
Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%
Sugars 17g
Vitamin C 42.4%
Iron 3.9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Try these other easy cocktails:

white sangria with whiskey, apple and peach
white sangria with whiskey, apple and peach
raspberry collins cocktail
raspberry collins cocktail
bashful blueberry cocktail
bashful blueberry cocktail

#SoupWeek Happy #MexicanRecipes
Let’s have a fiesta of Cinco de Mayo inspired recipes all week long!

  • Pico de Gallo from Palatable Pastime
  • Cheesy Spanish Rice from the Tip Garden
  • Fried Ice Cream Bars from Cooking With Carlee
  • Paloma Cocktail from Caroline’s Cooking
  • Graham Cracker Fried Ice Cream from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
  • Blackberry Margaritas from Books n’ Cooks
  • Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies from Family Around the Table

Remember to pin for later!

The paloma cocktail is the real tequila cocktail of Mexico: easy, refreshing and with a great citrus tang from grapefruit juice, it'll be a go-to favorite.

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Filed Under: Drink, International flavors, Mexican food Tagged With: cocktail, grapefruit, Mexican, tequila

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Comments

  1. Wendy Klik says

    May 5, 2017 at 8:39 am

    I think I have found a new cocktail. I will have Frank make this for me this evening as we celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      May 6, 2017 at 1:28 pm

      Thanks Wendy, sounds perfect!

      Reply
  2. Jan says

    May 5, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    I don’t drink.. but will take a “mocktail” version! looks refershing!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      May 6, 2017 at 1:29 pm

      Thanks, it’s definitely refreshing!

      Reply
  3. Jolene Martinelli says

    May 5, 2017 at 2:33 pm

    It’s been a long, long week, I think I’ll have a double 🙂

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      May 6, 2017 at 1:30 pm

      Sounds like a good plan 🙂

      Reply
  4. Liz @ Books n' Cooks says

    May 5, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    I’m super excited to try this cocktail. I always kinda wondered what was in it – afraid it would be too sweet – but your version sounds perfect.
    The gorgeous photos are also helping your case. 🙂

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      May 6, 2017 at 1:31 pm

      Thanks Liz, it’s definitely something you can make sweeter, but that’s not my preference and so this is perfect if you are the same way.

      Reply
  5. Brian Jones says

    April 16, 2018 at 1:56 am

    That looks and sounds superb, I do love the differnences that we have built up about the food and drink of some nations and what the food and drink really is… Completely fascinating.

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      April 20, 2018 at 9:43 am

      Thanks Brian, yes I know what you mean – it’s funny how sometimes the evolution of food is what we take for the original, without knowing better.

      Reply
  6. Pam Greer says

    April 16, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    Thanks for all the info about what they actually drink in Mexico! I love margaritas, but I need to step out of my margarita zone and try these palomas!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      April 20, 2018 at 9:43 am

      Thanks Pam, these are so easy and refreshing too, with the grapefruit.

      Reply
  7. Jacqueline Debono says

    April 17, 2018 at 2:27 am

    I love the sound of this cocktail, mostly because I love the taste of grapefruit. Def going to give it a try! Maybe this coming weekend as we have guests for my husband’s birthday and I love to serve cocktails when we have people to lunch or dinner!

    Reply
    • Caroline's Cooking says

      April 20, 2018 at 9:45 am

      Enjoy, it’s so easy as well.

      Reply

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Caroline's Cooking

Welcome! I'm Caroline and this is where I share recipes inspired by travels, places I want to go, or just ideas from feeding the family. Most recipes are easy to make and healthier, but there are treats too! Read More…

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