A Grapefruit Paloma is a delightful alternative to a margarita. Made with fresh grapefruit juice, tequila, a splash of club soda, and a touch of sugar and salt, it’s an ideal bright, fizzy cocktail for warm weather.
I’m a big fan of margaritas, but the Grapefruit Paloma has quickly become one of my favorite tequila cocktails. It’s light, effervescent, and refreshing — a drink that shows off grapefruit’s bright tartness while keeping the flavor balanced with tequila and a fizzy finish from club soda. If you enjoy citrus-forward cocktails, this one is worth trying the next time you want something a little different from a margarita.
A classic Paloma in Mexico is often made with grapefruit soda mixed with tequila and served over ice. This version relies on freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for a cleaner, brighter flavor. Using fresh juice makes a noticeable difference in aroma and complexity; if fresh grapefruit isn’t available, choose a bottled red grapefruit juice with no added sugar and adjust sweetener to taste.
I recommend pink or Ruby Red grapefruit juice for both flavor and color — it gives the cocktail a pretty rosy tint. For the final bubbly touch, use plain club soda or a lightly flavored variety such as lime or grapefruit soda water; either works well and adds a pleasant effervescence without overpowering the grapefruit.
The Paloma is a traditional Mexican cocktail and makes a great alternative for celebrations like Cinco de Mayo or simply for sipping on a hot afternoon. Because it’s light and fizzy, it’s a great poolside or patio drink — tart, slightly sweet, and very drinkable.
What is a Paloma?
A Paloma is a refreshing tequila cocktail typically made by combining tequila with grapefruit flavor — either fresh grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda — and served over ice with a fizzy mixer like club soda. It’s bright, slightly bitter, and often finished with salt on the rim or a small pinch in the drink to enhance the flavors.
Want more citrus cocktail recipes?
Refreshing Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail — Nutrition Notes
Like most mixed drinks, a Paloma’s calories come primarily from the alcohol and any added sugar. To lower calories, you can reduce the tequila to one ounce or use a smaller measure, but remember that lowering per-drink alcohol may lead to consuming more drinks. Use unsweetened juice and modest sugar to keep the calorie count down while preserving flavor.
Refreshing Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
Author: Carissa Serink
Summary: A Grapefruit Paloma blends freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with tequila, a little sugar, and club soda for a bright, effervescent summer cocktail.
Servings: 1 | Course: Beverage | Cuisine: Mexican / Universal | Calories: 77
Prep Time: 5 mins | Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients
- Pinch kosher salt, plus more for rimming the glass if desired
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed pink or red grapefruit juice (Ruby Red recommended)
- 1 tablespoon superfine sugar (or granulated sugar, dissolved)
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- Plain or citrus-flavored club soda, to top
- Crushed or cubed ice
Instructions
- Spread a thin layer of kosher salt on a small plate. Wet the rim of a margarita or old fashioned glass with a little grapefruit juice and dip the rim into the salt. If you prefer not to rim the glass, add a pinch of salt directly to the shaker in the next step. Fill the glass halfway with crushed or cubed ice.
- Stir the grapefruit juice and sugar together in a measuring cup until the sugar dissolves. Add the juice, tequila, and a pinch of salt (if using) to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over ice. Top with club soda and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime if you like.
Nutrition
- Calories: 77 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 292 mg
- Sugar: 18 g
- Vitamin C: 16 mg
Notes
Fresh grapefruit juice delivers the best flavor and aroma. If fresh grapefruit isn’t available, use bottled red grapefruit juice with no added sugar. Many bottled juices are pre-sweetened, so taste and adjust or omit the added sugar accordingly.
Superfine sugar dissolves faster than granulated sugar; you can make it in a clean spice grinder or food processor. Avoid powdered sugar, which contains cornstarch and can change the texture of the drink. If using granulated sugar, stir a bit longer to fully dissolve it into the juice before shaking.
