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
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Highball glass
- Ice
- Bar spoon
- Small plate (for salt rim)
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
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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.
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
