Ingredients
Traditional Easy Version (with Grapefruit Soda):
- 2 oz tequila blanco or reposado (60 ml), preferably 100% agave
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (15 ml, about ½ lime)
- 4-5 oz grapefruit soda (120-150 ml) such as Jarritos, Squirt, or Fresca
- Ice cubes
- Coarse salt for rim
- Lime wedge for garnish
- Optional: Tajín seasoning mixed with salt for rim
Fresh Grapefruit Version (Bartender-Style):
- 2 oz tequila blanco or reposado (60 ml)
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (60 ml, about ½ large grapefruit)
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (15 ml)
- ½ oz agave nectar or simple syrup (15 ml)
- 2-3 oz club soda or sparkling water (60-90 ml)
- Ice cubes
- Coarse salt for rim
- Grapefruit wedge and lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Salt Rim – Run a lime wedge around the rim of your highball or rocks glass, getting it nicely moistened. Pour coarse salt (or a salt-Tajín mixture) onto a small plate. Dip the moistened rim into the salt, rotating to coat evenly. Don’t salt the entire rim if you prefer options while drinking—salting just half the rim is perfectly acceptable.
- Fill Glass with Ice – Fill your prepared glass with ice cubes. Large cubes are ideal but standard ice works great.
For Traditional Version with Grapefruit Soda:
- Add Tequila and Lime – Pour 2 oz tequila directly into the ice-filled glass. Add ½ oz fresh-squeezed lime juice.
- Top with Grapefruit Soda – Pour 4-5 oz of grapefruit soda (Jarritos, Squirt, or Fresca) over the tequila and lime. Pour gently to preserve the carbonation.
- Stir Gently – Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon or straw, just 2-3 times to integrate the ingredients without losing too much fizz.
- Garnish and Serve – Add a lime wedge on the rim and serve immediately with a straw or stirrer.
For Fresh Grapefruit Version:
- Combine Tequila, Juices, and Sweetener – In your ice-filled glass, add 2 oz tequila, 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice, ½ oz fresh lime juice, and ½ oz agave nectar.
- Stir to Combine – Stir well for 5-10 seconds to mix all the ingredients and dissolve the agave nectar.
- Top with Club Soda – Add 2-3 oz of club soda or sparkling water to fill the glass. Pour gently to preserve bubbles.
- Stir Once More – Give one final gentle stir to integrate the club soda.
- Garnish and Serve – Add a grapefruit wedge and lime wedge to the rim of the glass. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tequila Selection: Always use 100% agave tequila for the best flavor. Check the label—it should explicitly say “100% agave.” Mixto tequilas (which contain other spirits and additives) will create an inferior drink and can cause worse hangovers.
Sweetness Adjustment: The traditional version with grapefruit soda is sweeter. The fresh juice version is more tart and sophisticated—adjust the agave nectar from ¼ oz to ¾ oz depending on your grapefruit’s sweetness and your preferences. Taste before adding the club soda and adjust.
Grapefruit Soda Choice: Jarritos Toronja is most authentic and widely available in Mexican grocery stores. Squirt is sweeter and more commonly found in mainstream supermarkets. Fresca is the lightest and least sweet option. All work beautifully.
Salt Rim Optional: While traditional, the salt rim is optional. Some people prefer their Palomas without it. You can also do a half-rim (salt on just one side) so you can choose whether to taste salt with each sip.
Building vs. Shaking: Palomas are traditionally built directly in the glass rather than shaken. This preserves carbonation and keeps the drink light and refreshing. Shaking is unnecessary and will flatten the fizz.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktail, Drinks
- Method: Built, Stirred
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail (approximately 8 oz)
- Calories: 165 (traditional version), 155 (fresh version)
- Sugar: 14g (traditional), 11g (fresh)
- Sodium: 45mg (with salted rim, varies)
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg