Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail

Bright, refreshing, and perfectly balanced, this grapefruit Paloma is the ultimate summer cocktail. With just the right mix of citrusy sweetness and crisp tequila, it’s an effortlessly delicious drink that’s sure to impress—no one will guess how easy it 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. 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 decided on 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.
• Use a good quality blanco tequila. I use Patron Silver, which I love.
• 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 grapefruit 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.
• You could also garnish this cocktail with a lime wedge if you prefer.
• Since ruby red grapefruit juice is sweet, there is no need to add simple syrup or agave nectar.

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 (or grapefruit soda).

Step two

Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)

Step three

Measure 1 ounce of fresh lime juice. (B)

Step four

Measure 6 ounces of grapefruit juice. (C)

Step five

Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously 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

• Cosmo
• Mojito
• Sea breeze

And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts 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!

This post was first published in July of 2016.