Name: Honey Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 oz silver tequila; 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice; 1 oz fresh lime juice; 1 oz honey syrup (mix equal parts honey and hot water); 2 oz club soda; Coarse sea salt for rim; Grapefruit wedge for garnish; Ice cubes

The Honey Grapefruit Paloma brings a sweet twist to the classic Mexican cocktail. This refreshing drink mixes tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, lime, and honey syrup. A splash of sparkling water provides a perfect balance of citrus and sweetness.

The pink drink looks great in a tall glass with ice and a salted rim. A wedge of grapefruit makes it Instagram-worthy and adds an extra burst of fresh citrus aroma.

This recipe takes just 5 minutes to make and needs basic ingredients found in most home bars and grocery stores. The honey adds depth that regular simple syrup can’t match, making this version stand out from standard Palomas.

Honey Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe

This fresh and tangy cocktail combines tequila, grapefruit juice, and honey for a sweet-tart drink that’s perfect for warm days.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Ingredients

2 oz silver tequila
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz honey syrup mix equal parts honey and hot water
2 oz club soda
Coarse sea salt for rim

Grapefruit wedge for garnish
Ice cubes

Instructions

Rim a highball glass with salt by rubbing a grapefruit wedge around the edge and dipping it in salt on a small plate.
Then, fill the glass with ice cubes.
Add tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
Strain the mixture into the prepared glass, and top with club soda.
Finally, stir gently with a bar spoon and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Notes

Make honey syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Fresh-squeezed juice makes a big difference in taste compared to bottled juice.

The drink can be made less sweet by reducing the honey syrup to 1/2 oz.

For a spicy variation, add a few slices of jalapeño to the shaker.

This recipe serves one person but can be doubled or tripled for a small group.

Tasting Notes

The Honey Grapefruit Paloma delivers a bright, zesty punch of citrus flavors. Fresh grapefruit juice creates a tart base while honey adds natural sweetness that balances the drink.

A gentle fizz from the sparkling water adds refreshing bubbles. The tequila brings warm, earthy notes that pair well with the citrus elements.

Salt on the rim enhances both sweet and sour flavors. Each sip starts with a crisp bite of grapefruit, followed by honey sweetness, and ends with a clean tequila finish.

Key Flavor Elements:

Sharp grapefruit tartness
Smooth honey sweetness
Clean tequila warmth
Light, bubbly texture
Salty rim accent

The drink has a pale pink color with a slight golden hue from the honey. It remains clear and sparkling, with tiny bubbles rising to the surface.

The aroma features strong notes of fresh grapefruit peel mixed with sweet honey scents. Light mineral notes from the tequila and salt add depth to the smell.

Must Have Ingredients

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	Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish	Buy On Amazon
	Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish	Buy On Amazon
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	Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish	Buy On Amazon
	Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish	Buy On Amazon
	Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish	Buy On Amazon
	Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish	Buy On Amazon
	LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack	Buy On Amazon
	Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer	Buy On Amazon
	Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave	Buy On Amazon
	Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale	Buy On Amazon
	Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave	Buy On Amazon
	Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt	Buy On Amazon
	WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint	Buy On Amazon
	Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar	Buy On Amazon
	Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix	Buy On Amazon
	Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup	Buy On Amazon
	Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup	Buy On Amazon
	Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup	Buy On Amazon
	Original Bloody Mary Mix	Buy On Amazon
	Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit	Buy On Amazon
	Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners	Buy On Amazon
	1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer	Buy On Amazon
	Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker	Buy On Amazon
	Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails	Buy On Amazon

Substitute

You can make a tasty non-alcoholic version of this cocktail by replacing tequila with grapefruit-flavored sparkling water or club soda. Add an extra splash of lime juice to maintain the bright citrus taste.

For a sweeter drink, switch the honey simple syrup with agave nectar. Maple syrup works too, though it will change the flavor profile slightly.

If fresh grapefruit juice isn’t available, bottled 100% grapefruit juice makes a good stand-in. Pink or ruby red grapefruit juice both work well.

Need a different citrus option? Try blood orange juice mixed with a splash of lemon juice. This combo creates a similar tart-sweet balance.

No sparkling water? Regular water mixed with a squeeze of lime can work in place of club soda. The drink won’t be fizzy, but it will still taste refreshing.

Common substitutes:

Tequila → Sparkling water
Honey syrup → Agave nectar

Fresh grapefruit → Bottled grapefruit juice
Club soda → Plain water + lime
Fresh lime → Bottled lime juice

Honey Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail Recipe