Mexican · Drinks

Paloma

Blanco tequila, fresh grapefruit and lime juice and a splash of soda water over ice, in a glass with a salted rim. Mexico's favourite tequila drink, and it is so easy.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 5 min total Serves 1 servings Easy
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How to Make Paloma

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  1. Run the lime wedge around the rim of a tall glass and dip the rim into a plate of flaky salt.

  2. Fill the glass with ice.

  3. Add the tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice and agave syrup and stir well until the syrup dissolves.

  4. Top with the soda water and stir gently once.

  5. Garnish with the wedge of grapefruit and serve at once.

Tips for Making Paloma

  • Squeeze the grapefruit and lime juice fresh. Bottled juices are flat, and the drink depends on their bright acidity.
  • Salt only half the rim, or just the outer edge. Salt inside the glass makes every sip taste salty, and some people prefer none.
  • Taste it before you serve it. Grapefruits vary a lot in sweetness, so add a little more agave if it is too bitter, or a squeeze more lime if it is too sweet.

Common Substitutions & Variations

  • Lemon is the everyday swap for lime in this kind of dish — the acidity plays the same role even though the flavour is not identical.

What to Serve with Paloma

  • Tacos al pastor
  • Guacamole and chips
  • Ceviche

Storing & Reheating Paloma

Best made to order. For a party of 6, mix 360 ml of tequila, 180 ml of lime juice, 360 ml of grapefruit juice and 2 tablespoons of agave syrup in a jug ahead of time and chill, then pour over ice and top each glass with the soda water so that it stays lively.

Paloma FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Paloma take to make?

About 5 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and of cooking. The recipe serves 1.

What are the key tips for making Paloma?

Squeeze the grapefruit and lime juice fresh. Bottled juices are flat, and the drink depends on their bright acidity. Salt only half the rim, or just the outer edge. Salt inside the glass makes every sip taste salty, and some people prefer none. Taste it before you serve it. Grapefruits vary a lot in sweetness, so add a little more agave if it is too bitter, or a squeeze more lime if it is too sweet.

What should I serve with Paloma?

Tacos al pastor; Guacamole and chips; Ceviche.

How should Paloma be stored?

Best made to order. For a party of 6, mix 360 ml of tequila, 180 ml of lime juice, 360 ml of grapefruit juice and 2 tablespoons of agave syrup in a jug ahead of time and chill, then pour over ice and top each glass with the soda water so that it stays lively.

Is Paloma suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free and low-carb. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Paloma?

About 188 kcal per serving, with 0 g protein, 14 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Paloma Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

188Calories
0gProtein
14gCarbs
0gFat
0gFibre
11gSugar
140mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.