Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Mexico's Most Popular Tequila Drink
Updated May 2026
The Paloma is actually more popular than the margarita in Mexico — and once you try it, you'll understand why. Refreshing grapefruit, crisp 100% agave tequila, and a hint of lime create something bright, balanced, and endlessly drinkable.
Prep Time
2 min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
1
Glass
Highball
Ingredients
Blanco tequila
100% agave, crisp and clean
Fresh lime juice
One small lime
Grapefruit soda
Jarritos, Squirt, or fresh grapefruit + soda water
Kosher salt
For the rim
Grapefruit slice
For garnish
Instructions
Salt the rim
Run a lime or grapefruit wedge around the rim of a highball glass. Dip into kosher salt to coat. Unlike a margarita, salt the entire rim — it's part of the Paloma experience.
Build in glass
Fill your glass with ice (large cubes preferred). Add tequila and fresh lime juice directly to the glass. No shaker needed — this is a simple, build-in-glass cocktail.
Top with grapefruit soda
Pour grapefruit soda over the tequila and lime. Stir gently once or twice — you want to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
Garnish and serve
Add a grapefruit slice to the rim or float it on top. Serve immediately while the carbonation is still lively.
Pro Tips
Use Jarritos Toronja if you can find it: This Mexican grapefruit soda is the authentic choice. It's less sweet than Squirt or Fresca and has real grapefruit flavor. Available at most grocery stores in the international aisle.
Fresh grapefruit juice + soda water is even better: Juice half a fresh grapefruit (about 2 oz), add to the glass with tequila and lime, then top with 2 oz plain soda water. Full control over sweetness.
Don't skip the salt rim: The salt is crucial — it balances the grapefruit's bitterness and brings out the tequila's natural sweetness. A Paloma without salt tastes incomplete.
The Perfect Paloma Ratio
The Paloma has no official IBA standard recipe — unlike the margarita, it was never formally codified. But after testing dozens of variations, this ratio consistently produces the best results:
2 oz tequila : ½ oz lime : 4 oz grapefruit soda
The key variable is grapefruit soda sweetness. Jarritos Toronja is less sweet than Squirt or Fresca, so you may want slightly less lime with sweeter sodas. If using fresh grapefruit juice and plain soda water (the best approach), use:
2 oz tequila / 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice / ½ oz lime / ½ oz agave nectar / 2 oz soda water.
For a pitcher (8 drinks):
16 oz tequila / 16 oz fresh grapefruit juice / 4 oz lime juice / 4 oz agave nectar / 16 oz soda water (add at serving)
Keep everything chilled before mixing. Add the soda water at the last moment — it loses its carbonation quickly once mixed.
Best Tequilas for This Recipe
Clean, crisp blancos let the grapefruit shine.
Paloma vs Margarita — What's the Difference?
The Paloma and margarita are both classic tequila cocktails, but they appeal to different moods and occasions.
| Paloma | Classic Margarita | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Tequila + grapefruit | Tequila + lime |
| Sweetener | Soda's natural sugar | Cointreau or triple sec |
| Texture | Light, effervescent | Full, shaken |
| Alcohol | Lower (~12–14%) | Higher (~18–20%) |
| Prep time | 2 minutes (no shaker) | 3 minutes (shaker) |
| Best for | Casual, hot weather | Special occasions |
| In Mexico | #1 tequila cocktail | #2 tequila cocktail |
Choose a Paloma when: It's hot, you want something refreshing, you're drinking multiple rounds, or you just want the simplest quality tequila cocktail.
Choose a margarita when: You want a more spirit-forward cocktail, you're showcasing premium tequila, or you're making drinks for a crowd with a shaker.
Many tequila enthusiasts keep both in regular rotation — the Paloma for weeknight drinking, the margarita for weekends and guests.
The History of the Paloma
The Paloma's origins are surprisingly murky for Mexico's most popular tequila cocktail. Unlike the margarita — which has multiple competing origin stories — the Paloma seemingly just... appeared. No single bartender claims credit.
What we do know: the drink's rise tracks closely with the popularity of Squirt grapefruit soda in Mexico, introduced in the 1950s. Mexican drinkers had been mixing tequila with citrus for generations, and Squirt provided the perfect pre-made mixer.
The name "Paloma" means "dove" in Spanish. Some say it was named after a popular folk song, "La Paloma," one of the most-covered songs in history. Others say the white, fizzy appearance of the drink reminded someone of a dove. Nobody knows for sure.
What is certain: in Mexico, the Paloma outsells the margarita by a significant margin. It's the everyday tequila drink — simple, refreshing, and impossible to mess up.
Variations to Try
Fresh Paloma
Skip the soda entirely. Use 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz agave nectar, and 2 oz soda water. Shake the grapefruit, lime, agave, and tequila with ice, then strain and top with soda.
Spicy Paloma
Muddle 2–3 jalapeño slices with the lime juice before building the drink. The grapefruit and jalapeño combination is surprisingly excellent — bitter, spicy, and refreshing.
Mezcal Paloma
Substitute mezcal for tequila (or do 1 oz tequila + 1 oz mezcal for a smoky twist). The grapefruit's bitterness plays beautifully with mezcal's smoke.
Pink Paloma
Add ½ oz fresh blood orange juice or ½ oz cranberry juice for a pink hue and slightly sweeter profile. Garnish with a blood orange wheel. Everything else stays the same — it's a simple visual upgrade that adds just a hint of extra sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Paloma and a margarita?
A Paloma uses grapefruit soda instead of lime and orange liqueur, making it lighter, more refreshing, and simpler to make. Margaritas are citrus-forward and spirit-driven; Palomas are effervescent and laid-back. Both are excellent — Palomas shine in hot weather and casual settings.
What is grapefruit soda?
Grapefruit soda is a lightly sweetened, carbonated grapefruit drink. The most common brands are Jarritos Toronja (authentic Mexican), Squirt, and Fresca. Jarritos is the best choice for traditional Palomas — it's less sweet and has a more natural grapefruit flavor.
Can I use fresh grapefruit juice instead of soda?
Yes — it's actually better. Use 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice, ½ oz lime juice, ½ oz agave nectar, and top with 2 oz plain soda water. Shake everything except the soda with ice, strain into a glass, and top with soda. You get fresh flavor and full control over sweetness.
Should I use blanco or reposado tequila?
Blanco is traditional and lets the grapefruit shine. Reposado works beautifully if you want a richer, more rounded Paloma with subtle vanilla and oak notes. Both are excellent — it's personal preference.
Is a Paloma better than a margarita?
In Mexico, yes — Palomas outsell margaritas. They're more refreshing, easier to drink in quantity, and simpler to make well. Margaritas are more complex and showcase the tequila more prominently. Try both and decide for yourself.
What does Paloma mean in Spanish?
Paloma means "dove" in Spanish. The most likely explanation for the cocktail's name is a connection to "La Paloma," one of the most recorded songs in history, written by Spanish composer Sebastián Yradier in 1863. The song has been a beloved standard in Mexico for over 150 years. Others suggest the white, fizzy appearance of the drink evoked the image of a dove. The true origin is undocumented.
Can I make a Paloma without grapefruit soda?
Yes — and many bartenders prefer it. Replace the grapefruit soda with 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice, ½ oz agave nectar, and 2 oz plain soda water. Shake the tequila, lime, grapefruit juice, and agave with ice, strain into a glass, then top with soda water. The fresh version has more grapefruit depth and less sweetness — it's noticeably better if you have grapefruits available.
What's the best grapefruit soda for a Paloma?
Jarritos Toronja is the authentic choice — it's the soda most commonly used in Mexico, with genuine grapefruit flavor and less artificial sweetness than American options. Squirt is the most widely available alternative in the US and works well. Avoid Fresca (too sweet, artificial flavor) and generic grapefruit sodas. In a pinch, San Pellegrino Pompelmo is excellent for a more sophisticated, less sweet version.
Is a Paloma a Mexican drink?
Yes, completely. Unlike the margarita (which has claimed American bar origins), the Paloma is definitively Mexican. It originated in Mexico, uses Mexico's national spirit, and outsells the margarita throughout the country. It's as authentically Mexican as tacos al pastor.
How many calories are in a Paloma?
A Paloma made with this recipe has approximately 170–190 calories: tequila (~130 cal), grapefruit soda (~60–80 cal depending on brand), lime juice (~5 cal). It's lighter than a classic margarita (~220 cal) because there's no Cointreau or added sweetener. A fresh Paloma with soda water instead of grapefruit soda runs about 160 calories.