This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Grapefruit Paloma is a refreshing tequila cocktail that’s easy to whip up in just 5 minutes! Bright, citrusy, and slightly sweet, this classic Mexican cocktail is perfect for your next cocktail night.
There’s something magical about sipping a Grapefruit Paloma on a warm afternoon. It’s like sunshine in a glass—just sweet enough with a citrusy bite, making it the perfect drink to cool down and unwind. It’s no wonder this is Mexico’s most popular cocktail!
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just enjoying a relaxing night in, a Grapefruit Paloma is a must-try. Its vibrant flavors balance beautifully with the crispness of sparkling water, and that pinch of salt on the rim of your glass enhances every sip.
Easy Grapefruit Paloma Recipe
What makes this Grapefruit Paloma recipe stand out is the simplicity of ingredients combined with the impressive flavor it delivers. It requires just a handful of simple ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.
Here’s why we love this Grapefruit Paloma:
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes!
- Refreshing: Perfect balance of grapefruit flavor with just a touch of sweetness.
- Adaptable: Easy to make sweeter or stronger, and simple substitutions make this drink customizable to your preferences.
Ingredients for Grapefruit Paloma
- Silver Tequila (or Mezcal) – Silver tequila has a clean flavor, ideal for mixing cocktails. Mezcal gives a smoky twist if you prefer a deeper flavor.
- Fresh Grapefruit Juice – Freshly squeezed juice has the best flavor, but store-bought grapefruit juice is a great choice too.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Adds brightness and balances the sweetness.
- Agave Nectar (or Simple Syrup) – A touch of sweetness enhances the natural grapefruit flavor without overpowering it.
- Sparkling Water or Club Soda – Adds effervescence and crispness.
- Salt – A pinch in the cocktail enhances the citrus notes, while a salt rim on the glass adds a savory contrast.
- Grapefruit Wedges (Garnish) – Not just pretty, these add an extra splash of citrus aroma.
How to Make the Perfect Grapefruit Paloma
- Prepare Your Glass: Run a grapefruit or lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip it in coarse sea salt or sugar to create a rim.
- Shake it Up: Fill a cocktail shaker with fresh ice cubes. Add tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and a pinch of salt. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to blend the flavors.
- Pour and Serve: Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice cubes, strain the cocktail into the glass, and top with sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Finish your cocktail with a grapefruit wedge. For an extra kick, try adding a few jalapeño slices or rosemary sprigs!
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- Sweeter Paloma: Prefer sweeter drinks? Add a bit more agave nectar or simple syrup to your taste.
- Tequila Choices: Blanco tequila is the classic choice, but reposado tequila, aged briefly in oak barrels, adds a smoother, slightly richer flavor.
- Spicy Variation: For a fun twist, muddle a few jalapeño slices in the shaker before adding other ingredients.
- No Citrus Juicer? Roll the grapefruit and lime firmly on your countertop before cutting and squeezing by hand for more juice.
More Drinks to Try
Love this Grapefruit Paloma? Explore these delicious cocktails for more fun and refreshing options to elevate your next gathering:
- Grapefruit Gin Fizz – A bubbly, citrus-infused cocktail perfect for brunch or any occasion.
- Guava Margarita – Tropical, vibrant, and deliciously tangy.
- Peach Sangria – Fruity, sweet, and perfect for sharing.
- Mezcalita – A smoky, citrus-forward twist on the classic margarita.
- Mango Mojito – Refreshingly minty with sweet, ripe mango flavor.
Did you try this Grapefruit Paloma recipe? Leave a recipe rating and review below!
Grapefruit Paloma
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila, or mezcal
- 1 ½ ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce agave nectar, or simple syrup
- Pinch of salt
- Sparkling water or club soda
- Grapefruit wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave nectar, and a pinch of salt. Shake well for 10 to 15 seconds, then set aside.
- Add a few ice cubes to a sugar- or salt-rimmed highball glass, then pour the contents of the shaker through the strainer into the glass.
- Top with sparkling water, stir, and garnish with a thin wedge of grapefruit.
Notes
- Easily double or triple the recipe for serving a larger group.
- Sweetness can be adjusted by adding more agave nectar or simple syrup.
- Optional: jalapeño slices or rosemary sprigs for extra flavor
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
