Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant world of Paloma cocktails with our exclusive selection of 14 visually stunning recipes. Each concoction is a masterpiece, crafted to tantalize your senses and elevate your cocktail experience. With innovative ingredient pairings and artful presentations, these Palomas are designed to impress at any gathering or provide a moment of indulgence in solitude.
Spicy Paloma Cocktail
This refreshing grapefruit and tequila cocktail is elevated with a spicy kick from jalapeño-infused simple syrup. Perfect for those who enjoy a little heat in their drinks, this cocktail is balanced with citrusy flavors and a hint of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Steeping Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 2 cocktails
Ingredients:
For the Jalapeño Simple Syrup:
- 1 large jalapeño, thinly sliced, seeds reserved
- ¼ cup (55 grams) brown sugar
- 4 ounces (118 milliliters or ½ cup) cold water
For the Spicy Paloma Cocktail:
- 1 ounce (30 milliliters) lime juice
- 2 ounces (60 milliliters) Jalapeño Simple Syrup (or to taste)
- 4 ounces (120 milliliters) tequila blanco
- 6 ounces (180 milliliters) grapefruit juice
- Grapefruit soda to float
To garnish:
- Kosher salt for rimming the glasses (optional)
- Grapefruit slices, fresh or dried (optional)
- Jalapeño slices (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Jalapeño Simple Syrup:
- Combine jalapeño slices and seeds with brown sugar in a small pot.
- Add cold water and stir.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.
- Turn off heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain to remove jalapeños and seeds.
- Cool completely and store in a jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.
- Rim the Cocktail Glasses (Optional):
- Use a grapefruit wedge to moisten the rim of two highball glasses.
- Dip the rims in kosher salt and let dry for 5 minutes.
- Fill glasses halfway to three-quarters with ice.
- Mix the Spicy Paloma Cocktail:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup, tequila, and grapefruit juice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until the shaker is frosty.
- Divide the mixture between the two glasses.
- Top with grapefruit soda and garnish as desired.
Notes:
- Pitcher Directions: Multiply ingredients by the number of servings needed. Mix in a pitcher and serve over ice.
- Mocktail Version: Omit tequila and increase grapefruit soda. Adjust jalapeño syrup to taste.
Paloma Pitcher Recipe
The Paloma Pitcher is a refreshing cocktail that combines the tangy flavors of grapefruit and lime with smooth tequila, topped off with sparkling water for a fizzy finish. Perfect for gatherings, this drink offers a delightful balance of citrus and sweetness, making it a crowd favorite. Serve it in salted-rim glasses for an extra touch of flavor.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 cups Blanco or Silver tequila
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 4 limes)
- ¼ cup simple syrup or honey (optional, for added sweetness)
- 2 cups sparkling water, for topping
- Lime or grapefruit wedges, for garnish
- Salt, for rimming the glasses
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pitcher:
Combine the grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher. Add a handful of ice and stir the mixture well. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to keep it chilled.
- Prepare the Glasses:
If you prefer salted rims, rub a lime wedge around the edge of each glass. Dip the rims into salt to coat them. Fill each glass with fresh ice.
- Serve the Paloma:
Stir the contents of the pitcher once more, then pour the Paloma mixture into the prepared glasses, filling each about three-quarters full. Top off each glass with approximately ¼ cup of sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with a lime or grapefruit wedge.
Christmas Paloma Cocktail
The Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail is a festive holiday drink that combines the rich flavors of cranberry and grapefruit juices with tequila, enhanced by a spiced simple syrup infused with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and vanilla. This vibrant ruby-red cocktail is perfect for Christmas celebrations, offering a delightful blend of sweet, tart, and spiced notes.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
Spiced Simple Syrup:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split open
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise
- 2 whole cloves
Spiced Cranberry Paloma:
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
- 1½ ounces spiced simple syrup
- Ice
- Sparkling water
Garnish (optional):
- Sugared cranberries
- Sprig of rosemary
- Dried grapefruit slice
Instructions
- Prepare the Spiced Simple Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, vanilla bean, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves. Bring the mixture to a boil, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely. Once dissolved, remove the syrup from heat and let the spices infuse for 10 minutes as it cools. Strain out the spices and pour the syrup into a jar. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Prepare the Spiced Cranberry Paloma Cocktail:
In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and spiced simple syrup. Shake well. Pour the mixture into a glass filled with ice, and top off with sparkling water. Garnish with sugared cranberries, a sprig of rosemary, and a dried grapefruit slice if desired.
Mezcal Paloma
The classic Paloma gets a sweet and smoky twist with the addition of honey and mezcal, creating a refreshing cocktail with a hint of spice.
- Servings: 1 cocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 lime, zested and sliced
- 2 ounces mezcal (or substitute with tequila)
- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce honey simple syrup
- Club soda
Instructions
- Mix the kosher salt, chili powder, and lime zest together on a small plate.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip the rim into the chili-lime salt to coat it evenly.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the mezcal, grapefruit juice, and honey simple syrup.
- Shake the mixture for about 15 seconds to combine.
- Pour the cocktail into the prepared glass and top it off with club soda.
- Add a few ice cubes to the glass.
- Garnish with mint and grapefruit wedges if desired.
Peach Paloma
This delightful Peach Paloma combines the juicy sweetness of fresh peaches with tequila and a splash of sparkling water, making it a perfect summer refreshment. Ideal for gatherings, this cocktail is both vibrant and flavorful, offering a refreshing twist on the classic Paloma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup tequila of your choice
- 1⅓ cups peach puree (2-3 medium peaches, blended)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ⅓ cup agave syrup (adjust to taste)
- 3 cups ice
- 1 cup sparkling water
- Lime wedge
- Sea salt, sugar, or chili-lime salt for rimming
- Mint leaves and fresh peach slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine the tequila, peach puree, lime juice, and agave syrup. Stir until everything is well incorporated.
- When ready to serve, add the ice and sparkling water to the pitcher. Stir with a wooden spoon.
- Rub a lime wedge around the edge of each glass, then dip the rims into a plate filled with sea salt, granulated sugar, or a mixture of chili powder and salt.
- Pour the Peach Paloma into the prepared glasses.
- Garnish with mint leaves and fresh peach slices.
Winter Paloma Cocktail
This Winter Paloma gives the classic tequila drink a festive twist, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in with a Christmas movie.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 1 drink
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce spiced cranberry syrup
- Club soda, to top
- Garnish: smoked rosemary sprig
Spiced Cranberry Syrup
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1¼ cups water
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 strips of orange peel (2-inch thick)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the tequila, lime juice, and spiced cranberry syrup in a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, lightly singed with a kitchen torch until smoking.
Spiced Cranberry Syrup
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cranberries, water, sugar, cinnamon stick, orange peel, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Avoid cooking longer to prevent the syrup from turning into jelly.
- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Fine strain the syrup into an airtight container for storage.
Cranberry Paloma
A light and refreshing tequila cocktail made with fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and club soda, garnished with sugared cranberries. Perfect for the holiday season.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: Cocktails
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Paloma:
- Ice
- Splash of lime
- 3 parts tequila (1.5 parts each glass)
- 4 parts fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice (2 parts each glass)
- 2 parts cranberry juice (1 part each glass)
- 1 part simple syrup (½ part each glass)
- Club soda, to top
- Coarse salt
- Sugared cranberries and rosemary, for garnish
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
For the Simple Syrup:
- Combine the water and sugar in a pot over medium-high heat.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 2-3 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
For the Cranberry Paloma:
- Rub the rim of each glass with fresh grapefruit and roll it in coarse salt.
- Fill each salted rim glass with ice cubes.
- Pour equal parts tequila (1.5 parts), fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice (2 parts), cranberry juice (1 part), and simple syrup (½ part) over the ice in each glass.
- Top with club soda and add a splash of lime.
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary for a festive touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Pink Paloma Cocktail
This Pink Paloma cocktail is both pretty and delicious! Made with tequila, fresh lime and grapefruit juice, and topped with grapefruit soda, it’s a refreshing twist on a classic drink.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce agave syrup or simple syrup
- 2 ounces tequila
- Grapefruit soda
Instructions
- Optionally, rub the rim of a glass with agave or lime juice and dip it in salt for a flavored rim. Skip this step if you prefer a plain rim.
- Juice the grapefruit and lime to obtain fresh juice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, then add the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave syrup. Shake well for 30 seconds to one minute.
- Add ice to the serving glass and strain the shaken cocktail into it.
- Top the drink with grapefruit soda until the glass is full.
- Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or lime.
Vodka Paloma Cocktail
This Vodka Paloma is a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail, using vodka in place of tequila. It’s perfect for parties with its simple ingredients and vibrant flavors.
Servings: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 1½ ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
- Soda water
- Grapefruit wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the vodka, grapefruit juice, and lime juice in a highball glass. Stir to combine.
- Fill the glass three-quarters of the way with soda water.
- Add a few ice cubes.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Strawberry Paloma
This version of the Strawberry Paloma adds a unique twist with the inclusion of mint and a hint of ginger, making it a refreshing and aromatic summer cocktail.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup tequila of your choice
- 1 cup strawberry puree (2-3 cups fresh strawberries, blended)
- ¼ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup ginger syrup (see instructions below)
- 3 cups ice
- 1 cup sparkling water
- Lime wedge
- Sea salt or chili-lime salt for rimming
- Fresh mint leaves and strawberry slices for garnish
Ginger Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
Instructions
- Make the Ginger Syrup:
In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and sliced ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool. Strain out the ginger slices before using.
- Prepare the Cocktail:
In a large pitcher, combine the tequila, strawberry puree, lime juice, and ginger syrup. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
- Serve:
Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dip it into a plate of sea salt or chili-lime salt. Fill the glasses with ice, then pour the cocktail mixture into each glass, leaving some space at the top.
- Top Off:
Add a splash of sparkling water to each glass.
- Garnish:
Garnish with fresh mint leaves and strawberry slices for an aromatic touch.
Watermelon Paloma
This Watermelon Paloma is incredibly refreshing and delicious, perfect for a summer party. Sweet, salty, and slightly zesty, it’s sure to be a hit!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 cocktails
Ingredients
- 6 cups diced watermelon
- 1 cup grapefruit juice
- 1¼ cups tequila
- ⅓ cup lime juice
- ¾ cup sparkling water
- Ice
- Lime wedge and salt for rimming the glass
- Lime wedges, watermelon slices, or mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Place the diced watermelon in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the juice into a pitcher to remove any pulp.
- Add the grapefruit juice, tequila, and lime juice to the pitcher with the watermelon juice. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Add ice to the mixture in the pitcher to chill it thoroughly.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dip the rim in salt to coat it evenly.
- Fill each prepared glass about ¾ full with the watermelon mixture.
- Top each glass with sparkling water to your preference.
- Garnish each glass with lime wedges, watermelon slices, or mint sprigs for a refreshing touch.
Non-Alcoholic Virgin Paloma
This refreshing mocktail blends fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, and honey for a delightful drink. Optionally, add tequila for a classic Paloma twist.
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ cup club soda
- Make it Boozy: 2 ounces tequila (optional)
Instructions
- Cut a piece of grapefruit into a wedge. Rub the grapefruit wedge around the rim of a glass to coat it evenly with juice.
- Pour kosher salt into a shallow dish that is wider than the glass. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt, twisting gently to ensure even coverage.
- Freshly squeeze the grapefruit and lime juices. In a separate container, combine these juices.
- Pour the juice mixture into the prepared glass.
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the glass. Stir thoroughly to ensure the honey is fully dissolved and well incorporated. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey if desired.
- Pour ½ cup of club soda into the glass. If you prefer an alcoholic version, add 2 ounces of tequila and reduce the club soda to ¼ cup.
- Add a few ice cubes to the drink to chill it.
- Garnish with a wedge of grapefruit or lime for a vibrant touch. If available, add a sprig of fresh rosemary for an aromatic finish.
Pineapple Paloma Cocktail
This Pineapple Paloma offers a tropical twist on the classic cocktail, combining sweet pineapple juice with bright citrus notes.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 3 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 4 ounces Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit
- Fresh lime slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass or cantarito with ice. Add the pineapple juice, lime juice, tequila, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Top with Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit, stir gently, and garnish with a fresh lime slice.
Fall Paloma Cocktail
This Fall Paloma cocktail adds a warm, spicy twist to the classic recipe, making it perfect for chilly autumn nights. The cinnamon syrup complements the citrus notes beautifully, creating a cozy and refreshing drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce cinnamon syrup*
- Grapefruit soda, to top
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice, and cinnamon syrup.
- Shake the mixture well until the outside of the shaker feels cold to the touch.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top the glass with grapefruit soda.
- Give the drink a quick stir to mix all the flavors together.
- Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or a cinnamon stick for an extra touch of autumn flair, if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the warm, spicy notes of this Fall Paloma.
*Note: To make cinnamon syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan with a few cinnamon sticks. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then let it steep for about 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon sticks and let the syrup cool before using.