Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe

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If you’re after a drink that’s fresh and easy, the grapefruit Paloma is honestly a solid pick. This cocktail brings together grapefruit juice, lime, and tequila for a crisp, slightly tart flavor.

It’s a refreshing option, and you can throw it together at home with barely any fuss. I like making a Paloma because there’s no need for fancy ingredients or a ton of time.

It’s great for warm days or if you just want something different than the usual margarita. The grapefruit really pops in every sip, no joke.

I’ll walk you through how I put together a grapefruit Paloma, so you can give it a try. The steps are straightforward and you only need a handful of things.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe
I make this with fresh grapefruit juice, sparkling soda, and tequila. The flavor’s bright but the recipe itself is about as simple as it gets.
John
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 1

Equipment

  • I grab a cocktail shaker to mix and chill everything.
  • A jigger is handy for measuring, so nothing gets out of whack.
  • You’ll want a citrus juicer (or just squeeze by hand) to get that fresh grapefruit juice.
  • For serving, a highball glass or any tall glass does the trick.
  • Sometimes I just stir with a bar spoon if I’m feeling lazy. Ice is a must to keep things cold.
  • Now and then, I use a little plate for rimming the glass with salt.
  • Paper napkins and a fine strainer are nice if you want to catch pulp or seeds for a smoother drink.

Ingredients

Here’s what I use for one drink:

  • 2 ounces tequila blanco or silver
  • 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 ounce lime juice fresh is best
  • 2 ounces club soda or sparkling water
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup or more if you like it sweeter
  • Kosher salt for rimming the glass optional
  • Grapefruit wheel or wedge for garnish
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  • First thing, I run a lime wedge along the rim of my glass and dip it in salt if I’m in the mood for that salty edge. Next, fill the glass about three-quarters full with ice cubes.
  • In a shaker, pour in the tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake it up for about 10 seconds.
  • Strain the mix into your glass over the ice. Top with club soda and give it a gentle stir with a bar spoon.
  • For garnish, I usually toss on a grapefruit slice or wedge. Serve it up right away while it’s cold and fizzy—don’t wait around.

Notes

This drink is tart and super refreshing. Fresh grapefruit juice really does taste better than anything bottled, in my opinion.
If it’s too strong, just add more club soda or sparkling water to mellow it out. For more sweetness, add simple syrup a little at a time and taste as you go.
If you’re into spicy drinks, muddle a slice of jalapeño in the shaker before mixing. Or swap in mezcal for tequila if you want a smoky vibe.
Fresh ice makes a difference—old ice can taste weird. I usually go with blanco tequila because it’s clean and mixes well with citrus.
Honestly, squeezing the citrus right before mixing gives you the brightest flavor. It’s worth the extra minute.

Must Have Ingredients

Tasting Notes

The first thing I notice with this Grapefruit Paloma is the bright citrus aroma. Fresh grapefruit jumps out, and there’s a little lime in the background that keeps it lively.

Taking a sip, it’s crisp and light. The grapefruit’s sharpness is there, but it doesn’t totally take over.

The tequila adds a soft, mild warmth behind everything else. It’s not too sweet, which I appreciate, since the balance between juice, tequila, and soda feels just right.

The fizz is gentle, and each sip feels extra refreshing. Here’s a quick look at the flavors:

Texture is light and clean, and there’s no syrupy aftertaste hanging around. When I swallow, there’s a slight tang that lingers just a bit, then fades away.

This cocktail goes great with salty snacks or chips, honestly. The flavors stay clean and don’t get muddled, so every sip feels fresh and balanced.

Substitute

Sometimes I just don’t have all the ingredients for a Grapefruit Paloma. When that happens, I end up making swaps with whatever’s in my kitchen.

Grapefruit juice:

  • If there’s no grapefruit juice, I reach for orange juice or even lemon juice.
  • Honestly, mixing a splash of lime juice with orange juice gets surprisingly close to the grapefruit vibe.

Tequila:

  • Vodka works if I’m after a lighter flavor—it doesn’t have to be tequila every time.
  • And for a non-alcoholic version, I’ll just use soda water or ginger ale and skip the booze entirely.

Sweetener:

  • No simple syrup? I grab honey or agave syrup, but plain old sugar stirred in works too, as long as you give it a good mix.

I just taste as I go and tweak things until it feels right. There’s always a way to mix and match with whatever’s on hand, isn’t there?

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Hey there, I’m John Watson—a guy who’s spent over 20 years proving that a good drink can fix just about anything (well, almost anything). Whether it’s cocktails that wow or mocktails that mock boredom, I’m all about crafting sips with stories. Founder of ThirstyTales and full-time drink nerd, I’m here to help you shake things up, one glass at a time. Let’s mix, laugh, and maybe spill a little—cheers to the adventure!

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