Paloma recipe
Mexico's real national cocktail — forget the margarita, this is what people actually drink.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Highball glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila Blanco (100% agave — Espolón or Olmeca Altos)
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Pinch Salt
- Top Grapefruit Soda (Jarritos Toronja or Squirt)
How to make a Paloma
- If you want a salt rim, run a lime wedge around the glass edge and dip in salt.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in tequila and lime juice.
- Top with grapefruit soda.
- Stir once gently and serve.
Garnish
Lime wedge. Salt rim optional.
Pro tip
In Mexico, nobody uses fresh grapefruit juice for this — they use Jarritos or Squirt soda. It's supposed to be easy and refreshing, not a craft project. If you want to get fancy, use half fresh grapefruit juice and half soda water with a pinch of salt.
History of the Paloma
The Paloma (Spanish for 'dove') is far more popular in Mexico than the margarita. Its exact origin is unknown, which is actually the sign of a true people's drink — nobody invented it, everyone just started making it. Some credit it to Don Javier Delgado Corona of La Capilla bar in Tequila, Jalisco.
Flavour profile
Grapefruit, Tart, Salty, Refreshing
Variations
- Spicy Paloma — Muddle a slice of jalapeño in the glass first
- Mezcal Paloma — Use mezcal instead of tequila for a smoky version
- Fresh Paloma — Fresh grapefruit juice + soda water instead of grapefruit soda
Practise making the Paloma in the free Virtual Bar game.