Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Classic Paloma

A fizzy tequila and grapefruit highball with fresh lime and a salted rim that makes every sip pop.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A tall highball glass filled with a pale pink Paloma cocktail over ice, a salted rim, and a grapefruit wedge on the edge of the glass on a bright kitchen counter
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If a Margarita is the loud friend who shows up in a neon outfit, a Paloma is the cool one who walks in wearing crisp linen and somehow still steals the show. It is bright, lightly bitter in the best way, and so refreshing it makes you want to immediately text someone, “patio?”

This is my go-to Paloma: tequila, fresh lime, grapefruit soda, and a salty rim that turns “good” into “why is this so good?” It is simple enough for a weeknight, but it still feels like a treat. Bonus: you can tweak it easily depending on how sweet your soda is or how tart you like your drinks.

Tequila, fresh limes, grapefruit, a small dish of salt, and a bottle of grapefruit soda arranged on a clean kitchen counter in natural light

Why It Works

  • Balanced and refreshing: Lime adds snap, grapefruit adds that gentle bitter edge, and tequila brings warmth without taking over.
  • Fast with zero drama: Build it right in the glass. No shaker required unless you want to feel fancy.
  • Salty rim = flavor amplifier: It makes the citrus taste brighter and keeps the drink from leaning too sweet.
  • Easy to customize: Make it stronger, lighter, sweeter, or more tart with tiny adjustments.
A hand rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass next to a small plate of coarse salt on a kitchen counter

Pairs Well With

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Storage Tips

A Paloma is best fresh because the bubbles are the whole point. But you can prep parts of it so it feels like you are getting away with something.

What you can do ahead

  • Citrus: Juice your limes up to 24 hours ahead. Store in a small jar in the fridge.
  • Salt mix: Mix salt (and optional Tajín) and keep it in a covered dish for a week.
  • Batch base: Stir together tequila plus lime juice (and optional sweetener) and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, pour over ice and top with grapefruit soda.

What not to store

  • Finished drink: Once it is topped with soda, drink it within 10 to 15 minutes for the best fizz.

Common Questions

What is a Paloma made of?

At its simplest: tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime, usually served over ice. Many versions add a salted rim. Some use fresh grapefruit juice plus sparkling water or club soda instead of grapefruit soda.

Is a Paloma stronger than a Margarita?

Usually, a Margarita tastes stronger because it is served in a smaller glass with less mixer. For example, a typical Margarita might be 2 ounces tequila plus orange liqueur and lime, while this Paloma is 2 ounces tequila topped with several ounces of soda. Same tequila, more bubbles and volume, so the Paloma often drinks lighter. Of course, it depends on your pour.

What tequila is best for a Paloma?

Blanco tequila is the classic choice because it is clean and crisp with citrus. Reposado also works if you want a slightly warmer, rounder sip. If your tequila tastes harsh on its own, it will not magically improve in a Paloma, so choose one you actually like.

Can I make a Paloma without grapefruit soda?

Yes. Use fresh grapefruit juice (about 2 to 3 ounces) and top with 2 to 4 ounces club soda (more if you want it lighter). Add a little simple syrup or agave if your grapefruit is very tart. Taste and adjust.

How do I make it less sweet or more tart?

For less sweet: use club soda plus grapefruit juice, or choose a less sweet grapefruit soda and add extra lime. For more tart: add another 1 to 2 teaspoons lime juice. Taste and adjust.

Can I make it nonalcoholic?

Absolutely. Skip the tequila and use grapefruit soda plus lime. For more cocktail vibes, add a splash of sparkling water and a pinch of salt.

I started making Palomas when I realized I wanted “tequila and citrus” without doing the whole shaker routine on a random Tuesday. The first time I salted the rim, I overdid it and basically licked a salt block with grapefruit bubbles. Lesson learned. Now I go for a light, even rim and I take one sip before I start handing them out to friends like I am running a tiny backyard bar.