Paloma Recipe

You've heard of the margarita; get to know Mexico's other staple tequila drink.

By
Paul Clarke
Paul Clarke
Paul Clarke blogs about cocktails at The Cocktail Chronicles and writes regularly on spirits and cocktails for Imbibe magazine. He lives in Seattle, where he works as a writer and magazine editor.
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Updated September 06, 2023
Side view of two palomas

Serious Eats / Two Bites

If you were to take a pop quiz on mixed drinks, the average cocktail enthusiast would be able to rattle off at least a half-dozen gin libations; ditto for rum, and quite possibly for whiskey.

Tequila? Not so much. Go ahead and take a point for the margarita—that's an easy one; and then there's the Tequila Sunrise, with its aura of floral shirts and Jimmy Buffett. Dedicated mixologists may cite the cassis-laden goodness of the Diablo, while others may guiltily offer up a Long Island Iced Tea. It's OK; we've all been there at one time.

To this small list, add a delightful contribution to the summer-satisfaction arsenal: the Paloma. Commonly found in regions where tequila is produced as well as consumed, the Paloma seems deceptively simple. In truth, this drink manages to cover the bases when it comes to flavor receptors, and its lively taste and gentle effervescence make it a great seasonal refresher. You may have to hunt down a good grapefruit soda (depending on your proximity to the nearest bodega), but trust me—you'll find more happiness with the Paloma than with any drink named for Long Island.

Recipe Details

Paloma Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces reposado tequila (be sure to use only 100 percent agave tequila)

  • 1/2 a lime, plus a wedge for garnish

  • Coarse salt

  • Grapefruit soda

Directions

  1. Fill a 10-ounce Collins glass with ice. Juice the lime into the glass. Add reposado tequila and a pinch of coarse salt.

    Two image collage of adding lemon juice to a glass and adding tequila

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

  2. Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge.

    Two image collage of adding grapefruit soda and stirring

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

Notes

Jarritos, from Mexico, works very well, but you can also try the Jamaican brand Ting. If you can’t find a suitable grapefruit soda, use Sprite or the like, and add a squirt of fresh grapefruit juice.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
362Calories
1gFat
61gCarbs
2gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories362
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 293mg13%
Total Carbohydrate 61g22%
Dietary Fiber 5g17%
Total Sugars 46g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 65mg323%
Calcium 62mg5%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 275mg6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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