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Picture yourself on a sun-drenched patio, toes in the sand, with a chilled glass sweating in your hand. That’s the magic of the Paloma cocktail a brighter, bubblier cousin to the margarita that’s sweeping US backyards and rooftop bars. This Refreshing Paloma Cocktail swaps soda for fresh grapefruit juice, delivering tart, sweet perfection in under 5 minutes. Whether you’re hosting taco night or unwinding solo, you’ll love how this tequila-based refresher elevates any occasion.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Paloma Cocktail

You get bright citrus punch without the cloying sweetness of store-bought mixes. Fans of limoncello recipes rave about its zesty profile, akin to a lemoncello spritzer but with tequila’s kick. It’s naturally gluten-free, low-calorie (under 200 per serving), and endlessly customizable add jalapeño for heat or mezcal for smoke.

Ingredients Table

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Tequila (blanco)	2 oz	Espolòn Blanco recommended
Fresh Grapefruit Juice	2 oz + wedges	Freshly squeezed for best flavor
Sparkling Water	2 oz	Whole Foods Italian Sparkling
Fresh Lime Juice	½ oz	Tart backbone
Agave Nectar or Simple Syrup	¼ oz (to taste)	Homemade Simple Syrup
Coarse Sea Salt	For rim	365 Coarse Sea Salt
Ice	To fill	Plenty for chilling

Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Rim: Grab a highball glass or Target Rioja Glass. Rub a grapefruit wedge around the edge using your chef’s knives on a cutting board. Dip into a plate of coarse sea salt use measuring spoons for precision.
Mix the Drink: Pour 2 oz tequila, 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice, 2 oz sparkling water, ½ oz lime juice, and ¼ oz agave into the glass. Stir gently with kitchen utensils.
Add Ice & Garnish: Fill with ice cubes. Taste and tweak sweetness. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge squeeze for extra zing.

Pro tip: Use a citrus juicer like a garlic press alternative for effortless juicing.

Helpful Paloma Tips

Batch for Parties: Multiply by 9 for a pitcher: 18 oz tequila, 18 oz juice, etc. Stir in a mixing bowl or blender.
Make it Spicy: Infuse tequila with jalapeño slices for 10 minutes using a peeler.
Mezcal Twist: Sub half the tequila for mezcal balance smoke with extra agave.
No Grapefruit? Try lemoncello spritzers recipe vibes with lemon juice and limoncello recipes flair.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Paloma without alcohol?
Yes! Swap tequila for Seven Brew Coffee Drinks base or sparkling water for a mocktail.

What’s the best tequila for Paloma Cocktail?
Blanco like Espolòn shines clean and citrus-forward.

How do I store leftovers?
Mix base without sparkling water; add fizz per glass.

Is this like authentic limoncello recipe?
It echoes lemonchello drinks recipe with fresh citrus but tequila-forward.

Ready to shake up your happy hour? Pin this Refreshing Paloma Cocktail and try it tonight!

Kitchen Equipment List

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Refreshing Paloma Cocktail: 5-Min Grapefruit Tequila Bliss

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Bright, bubbly Paloma cocktail with fresh grapefruit and tequila tart, sweet perfection.

Author: Alice
Prep Time: PT5M
Total Time: PT5M
Yield: 1
Category: Drinks
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

2 ounces tequila

2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice, plus wedges for garnish

2 ounces sparkling water

½ ounce fresh lime juice

¼ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup, or to taste

Coarse sea salt, for the rim

Ice

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Instructions

1. Salt the rim of the glass by rubbing a grapefruit wedge around the edge and dipping it onto a small plate of salt.

2. Mix the tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water, lime juice, and agave nectar into the glass. Fill the remainder of the glass with ice. Adjust sweetness to taste. Garnish with grapefruit wedge.

Notes

Batch multiply by servings needed. Add jalapeño for spice.