This Paloma Drink Recipe is made with Tequila, grapefruit juice, honey and a hint of lime. Finished off with a splash of seltzer, this delicious tequila punch is both refreshing and flavorful.
Light, citrusy, and not overly sweet, the Paloma is a classic Mexican cocktail and this party punch will not disappoint.
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Paloma Punch
This tequila punch is the perfect drink for warm days, festive nights, or anytime you need a refreshingly tart cocktail to sip.
The Paloma punch is a must-try tequila drink.
My Paloma recipe blends tequila blanco, fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice and honey for a balanced flavor with just the right touch of sweetness with a hint of fruity citrus tartness.
With bright citrus notes and a touch of sweetness, this grapefruit Paloma is more than just a great drink, it’s a modern take on a classic cocktail.
The classic Paloma consists of just tequila and grapefruit soda.
I put a juicy spin on this classic cocktail with grapefruit juice and added a touch of honey and fresh lime flavor.
La Paloma is Spanish for “The Dove” and an authentic Paloma is made with Mexican soda and a salt rim.
Kosher salt, pink Himalayan salt, or even a flaky sea salt are perfect choices to fancy up the rim of your glass. Simply rub the rim of your glass with a wedge of lime and dip it in a small plate of salt.
If you want to add a kick of flavor, line the rim of your glass with chili lime seasoning!
Whether served in a tall glass over ice or sipped slowly on the patio, the Paloma cocktail punch has become a favorite among tequila drinks. Cheers!
Elevate your happy hour to a new level of deliciousness with our easy recipes for thirst quenching Summer Drinks.
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How to make a Paloma cocktail recipe
This is a quick overview of how to make this grapefruit paloma recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: Slice one grapefruit
- Step 2: Add Tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and honey to a pitcher with ice and grapefruit slices. Top it off with seltzer and enjoy!
Hint: If grapefruit soda is available near you, you can replace the juice and seltzer with the flavored soda.
Expert recipe tips
- Spice up your beverage with jalapeño slices for a hint of heat and spice.
- Fresh juices make all the difference! Use freshly squeezed lime juice and grapefruit juice for the brightest taste.
- Want a fizzy finish? Use grapefruit soda, club soda, or mineral water
- If your honey is too thick to mix easily, stir it with a bit of warm water first or use a honey simple syrup
- Finish off your drink with garnish of a lime wedge, grapefruit slice or even jalapeño slices for a spicy kick.
- Add a splash of ginger simple syrup for added flavor
- When making a single cocktail. always use a cocktail shaker to combine tequila, citrus juices, and sweetener. This method chills everything quickly and evenly.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip into a small plate of salt for that classic salt rim.
Substitutions
- Honey - You can replace the honey with agave nectar, agave syrup, or a honey simple syrup
- Grapefruit Juice - No grapefruit juice? Use grapefruit soda for a bubbly twist and reduce the amount of honey.
- Mocktail - Make a mocktail version by replacing the tequila blanco with grapefruit soda or soda water
- Tequila Blanco - Prefer a smoky finish? Make your cocktail with mezcal instead of blanco tequila.
Variations
- Frozen Grapefruit Paloma – Blend ingredients with ice for a slushy version that’s sure to cool you off in the warmer months.
- Herbal Twist – Add fresh herbs such as rosemary or basil to your cocktail shaker to add flavor of garden-fresh notes.
- Spicy Paloma – Shake in a few jalapeño slices and/or add a pinch of chili powder or chili lime seasoning to your salt rim for an extra kick.
- Sparkling Paloma – Use soda water, club soda or grapefruit soda for a fizzy finish.
Storage
- Make Ahead - You can mix the grapefruit juice, lime juice, and the sweetener ahead of time and keep it in the fridge in a large pitcher for up to two days.
- To Serve - When ready to serve, just pour over ice and add tequila and, for a fizzy finish, a splash of club soda or grapefruit soda. Stir well and garnish with a grapefruit slice or lime wedge.
- Before Serving - Avoid pre-mixing with ice cubes and club soda to prevent watering down the drink. Always add the ice cubes and seltzer right before serving.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the perfect Paloma cocktail:
- Tequila Blanco - Also referred to as Blanco Tequila,this alcohol is a clean, crisp base liquor for this drink. It’s the perfect starting point this grapefruit cocktail.
- Grapefruit Juice – Squeeze it fresh for the best flavor and boldest grapefruit flavor although you can always use store-bought pink grapefruit juice too. This juice gives the drink its signature pink hue and tangy tartness.
- Lime Juice – Balances the sweetness and adds to the citrusy brightness.
- Honey – A natural sweetener that complements and rounds out the other flavors.
- Ice Cubes – Essential for chilling the drink and giving it that crisp refreshment.
- Seltzer - Adds a fizzy touch and finishes off the punch recipe
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Paloma Drink Recipe
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Ingredients
- ice cubes
- 1 small pink grapefruit sliced
- 4 cups grapefruit juice
- 3 cups tequila
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cups seltzer
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Instructions
- Add ice cubes and grapefruit slices to a large pitcher.
- Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and honey.
- For a bit of fizz, top it off with seltzer.
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