Paloma

Name: Paloma
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D0H3M
Total time: PT0D0H3M
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 2 oz. tequila blanco; 2 tsp. fresh lime juice; Pinch fine salt; 3 oz. fresh grapefruit juice; 3 oz. seltzer; Lime slices, for garnish

Our take on this iconic Mexican cocktail swaps out the sugary soda for fresh lime and grapefruit juice for an extra-refreshing riff bursting with citrus flavor.

Serves
1
Time
3 minutes

PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND • FOOD STYLING: JESSIE YUCHEN

By SAVEUR Editors

Updated on August 7, 2023

One of Mexico's many widely known and beloved tequila drinks, the Paloma cocktail, is a refreshing summertime highball featuring lime juice and grapefruit. Grapefruit-flavored sodas like Fresca or Squirt are common ingredients, but this version swaps in fresh juice and seltzer for a more balanced sweetness and maximum citrus flavor. For this Paloma recipe, we prefer an unoaked tequila blanco (also known as silver tequila), as opposed to tequila reposado or tequila añejo, which may be barrel-aged between two months and three years. The blanco’s clean taste and herbaceous quality make a perfect base for this drink’s sweet and sunny flavors.

Ingredients

2 oz. tequila blanco
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
Pinch fine salt
3 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
3 oz. seltzer
Lime slices, for garnish

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Instructions

Step 1

To a highball or Collins glass, add the tequila, lime juice, and salt. Fill the glass with ice, add the grapefruit juice and seltzer, stir gently, garnish with lime slices, and serve.