Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
Crisp, sweet, and refreshing, this grapefruit Paloma recipe makes the perfect drink to kick off the summer. With such incredible flavor, your friends will never guess how easy this tequila-based cocktail is to make!
Did you know that paloma means dove in Spanish?
But what does the word dove have to do with this grapefruit cocktail, you ask?
I have no clue. Not a lot is known about the history of this beverage. Some say it is named after a song “La Paloma” that was popular at the time it first appeared. Leave me a comment if you’re in the know!
I heard about the grapefruit Paloma many years ago when I worked at the Mexican restaurant.
I had never heard of this drink before that. The customer who ordered it told me what it was. He told me it contained white tequila and grapefruit soda, like the brands Squirt, Izze, and Fresca.
Now, we didn’t have any of those sodas at the restaurant so the guy settled for a margarita.
We got to talking and he told me he had more than his share of Palomas on his vacation to Mexico and he really liked them. I asked, “Better than a margarita made with grapefruit juice?” His answer was yes, because they were so refreshing.
I had to try one. Just to see. For research.
He was right. It is very refreshing.
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Helpful tips
- If I’m making one Paloma, I build it in the glass. If I’m making two or more, I combine the first three ingredients in my shaker then strain and divide among the glasses, topping each off with club soda separately. You don’t want to shake soda.
- I always recommend buying the best alcohol you can afford but because this cocktail calls for fruit juice, it will still taste fine using a brand that isn’t premium or even mid-level.
- Before I squeeze citrus or use it as garnish, I always wash it. You don’t want to be ingesting pesticides. Here’s how: Squirt some natural, unscented foaming hand soap (I get mine at Whole Foods) in your hand. Take the citrus fruit between your hands and rub the soap all over it. Next, take a vegetable brush and scrub the skin of the fruit. Run under cold water and make sure it is soap free.
- To garnish, cut a small wedge from a fresh grapefruit and/or use a channeling knife (if you have one) to cut a twist from the circumference of the grapefruit.
- If you don’t have a channeling knife, cut a grapefruit in half around the equator. Next, cut a thinnish slice. With your knife, cut the flesh out of the round (and eat). Cut a slit in the round, wrap it into a spiral and use a martini pick to hold the spiral together. See photo of finished cocktail below.
How to make a grapefruit Paloma
Pre-step
Gather a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also get a measuring glass and glassware. I use a double old fashioned glass and a Collins glass.
Cut the garnish. (See helpful tips above.)
After measuring out the ingredients, pour into the shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – tequila, limes, grapefruit juice, and club soda.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)
Step three
Measure 1 ounce of lime juice. (B)
Step four
Measure 6 ounces of grapefruit juice. (C)
Step five
Cap the shaker and shake for 10 seconds.
Step six
Add fresh ice cubes to the glasses and strain and divide the liquid between the two glasses. I also add some of the ice from the shaker as well. Get club soda ready. (D)
Step seven
Pour club soda to the top of the glass and add the garnish. I chose the twist for the short glass and the wedge for the tall glass.
Looking good!
Yum.
The only thing left, is to pick up the glass and sip. Ahhhhh, refreshing!
I hope you enjoyed this grapefruit Paloma cocktail recipe.
Other cocktails with grapefruit
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Patron silver tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 6 ounces grapefruit juice
- club soda (a few splashes)
Garnish
- grapefruit slice (a quarter)
- grapefruit twist
Instructions
- Fill the shaker halfway with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice and the grapefruit juice.4 ounces Patron silver tequila, 1 ounce lime juice, 6 ounces grapefruit juice
- Cap shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Add fresh ice to the glasses. Divide and strain between the two glasses. (There should be a 1 – 2 inch gap from the liquid and the top of the glass.
- Add club soda to fill that gap.club soda
- Add grapefruit slice to the side of the glass or a twist, whichever you prefer.grapefruit slice, grapefruit twist
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- If I’m making one Paloma, I build it in the glass. If I’m making two or more, I combine the first three ingredients in my shaker then strain and divide among the glasses, topping each off with club soda separately. You don’t want to shake soda.
- I always recommend buying the best alcohol you can afford but because this cocktail calls for fruit juice, it will still taste fine using a brand that isn’t premium or even mid-level.
- Before I squeeze citrus or use it as garnish, I always wash it. You don’t want to be ingesting pesticides. Here’s how: Squirt some natural, unscented foaming hand soap (I get mine at Whole Foods) in your hand. Take the citrus fruit between your hands and rub the soap all over it. Next, take a vegetable brush and scrub the skin of the fruit. Run under cold water and make sure it is soap free.
- To garnish, cut a small wedge from a fresh grapefruit and/or use a channeling knife (if you have one) to cut a twist from the circumference of the grapefruit.
- If you don’t have a channeling knife, cut a grapefruit in half around the equator. Next, cut a thinnish slice. With your knife, cut the flesh out of the round (and eat). Cut a slit in the round, wrap it into a spiral and use a martini pick to hold the spiral together. See photo of finished cocktail below.
