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Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail

My Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail is incredibly refreshing and easy to make as I combine tequila with grapefruit juice, lemon juice and ginger soda. It’s made by the pitcher which makes it a great drink to serve at parties and get togethers with family and friends when you don’t want to mix each drink individually. It’s also slightly spiced thanks to the black pepper and salted rim on the glass. 

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail with lemon wedges.

GRAPEFRUIT PALOMA COCKTAIL

This easy grapefruit paloma cocktail recipe is the perfect cocktail for any parties or cocktail nights you are planning over the holiday season, or to serve outdoors at your next backyard barbecue in the warmer months.

Very little effort is required to pull this refreshing cocktail together as everything is mixed together in a large pitcher. 

My recipe serves 4 but can easily be doubled for a crowd. 

I love to serve a paloma cocktail in a salt crusted glass, however mix it up with some black pepper which adds a nice hit of spice to this citrus flavored cocktail.

If you are hosting a party for a larger group, I always like to have a bowl of the salt and pepper spice mixture prepared and set aside, ready to decorate glasses as I go along.

If you love citrus you have to try this Orange Smoothie, Cranberry Orange SmoothieLemon Lentil Soup, Lemon Brussels Sprout Slaw, Lemon Whipped Feta Dip, Lemon Pasta and this Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail ingredients.

GRAPEFRUIT PALOMA COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS

LIQUOR: The alcohol base of this cocktail is tequila blanco, but feel free to use any tequila as they will all work in this cocktail.

JUICE: I use a combination of grapefruit juice and lemon juice to flavor my paloma.

You could also use lime juice in place of the lemon juice.

SODA: Ginger soda is also added to this cocktail, you could also use regular soda or even some sparkling water.

GARNISH: I like to garnish each glass with a wedge of grapefruit or lemon and a sprig of mint. 

SALT RIM: I mix salt with Himalayan salt and course black pepper to add a salt rim crust to each glass.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail in a pitcher.

HOW TO MAKE GRAPEFRUIT PALOMA COCKTAIL

MIX THE LIQUIDS TOGETHER. To make this cocktail, get a large pitcher, add the tequila, grapefruit juice and lemon juice and give everything a good stir to combine.

ADD THE ICE. Now add the ice to the pitcher and stir to chill the cocktail right down.

PREPARE THE GLASSES. In a shallow dish mix the salt, Himalayan salt and the course black pepper. Add some water to a second shallow dish and set aside.

Now dip the rim of the glass first in the water and then into the salt and black pepper mixture. Repeat this process with the remaining glasses.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail glass in a salt rim dish.

POUR THE COCKTAIL. Pour the Grapefruit Paloma into glasses until they are 3/4 full and finish with a splash of ginger soda.

GARNISH THE COCKTAIL. To finish the cocktail, garnish with the grapefruit wedges and mint sprigs.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail pouring the paloma into a glass.

RECIPE TIPS & MODIFICATIONS

  • I used Florida’s Natural red grapefruit juice. You can use a homemade juice if you want, but the store bought ones work great and make it a whole lot easier. This is particularly true if you are making cocktails for a crowd at your next party with family and friends.
  • I used lemon juice but have tried it with lime juice too and it’s a fun alternative as well.
  • For the pepper salted rim I used salt, Himalayan salt (because it’s pink and looks beautiful with the grapefruit juice) and coarse ground black pepper. It was more of an aesthetics thing, you can use regular salt and ground pepper too.
  • You can mix it in the pitcher, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight as well. Just don’t add the ice to the pitcher until you are ready to serve or it will melt and dilute your cocktail.
  • The quantities in this recipe will give you 4 servings of the cocktail. However, this recipe can be easily doubled or trebled up, if you are serving a larger crowd.
  • To make a Grapefruit Paloma Mocktail, remove the tequila but leave the remainder of the recipe the same. This is ideal for serving to non-drinkers or anyone driving at your next party.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail in a glass.

WHAT ALCOHOL IS IN A PALOMA?

The alcohol in a classic paloma cocktail is tequila blanco. You can use any tequila you like. Vodka also works in this type of drink if you prefer that.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PALOMA AND MARGARITA?

A paloma and margarita cocktail both contain tequila as the base liquor, and are served in salt crusted glasses.

However, where a margarita has orange liqueur added to it, a paloma contains grapefruit juice along with some soda or sparkling water.

I’ve added ginger soda for an extra burst of flavor.

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail with mint.

SOME OTHER GREAT TASTING COCKTAIL RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY

CRANBERRY WINE SPRITZER

CHRISTMAS SANGRIA 

WHITE SANGRIA

RED SANGRIA

SPARKLING APPLE PEAR SANGRIA 

7UP SPARKLING PEACH LEMONADE 

STRAWBERRY BLUEBERRY LEMONADE SPRITZER 

Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail with lemon wedges.

Grapefruit Paloma

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

My Grapefruit Paloma Cocktail is incredibly refreshing and easy to make as I combine tequila with grapefruit juice, lemon juice and ginger soda. It’s made by the pitcher which makes it a great drink to serve at parties and get togethers with family and friends when you don’t want to mix each drink individually. It’s also slightly spiced thanks to the black pepper and salted rim on the glass.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1 cup grapefruit juice
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup ginger soda
  • Ice
  • Grapefruit wedges and mint sprigs as a garnish

FOR THE SALTED RIM

  • 4 tbsps. Himalayan salt or regular salt
  • 2 tbsps. black pepper

Instructions

    1. In a large pitcher stir together the tequila, grapefruit juice and lemon juice.
    2. Add the ice and stir to chill.
    3. In a shallow dish mix the Himalayan salt and the black pepper. Add some water to a second shallow dish and set aside.
    4. Dip the rim of the glass in the water and then into the salt and black pepper mixture. Repeat the process with the rest of the glasses.
    5. Pour the Paloma into glasses until they are 3/4 full and finish with a splash of ginger soda.
    6. Garnish with the grapefruit wedges and mint sprigs.

Notes

I used Florida’s Natural red grapefruit juice. You can use a homemade juice if you want, but the store bought ones work great and make it easier to make cocktails for a crowd.


I used lemon juice but have tried it with lime juice too and it’s a fun alternative as well.


For the pepper salted rim I used salt, Himalayan salt (because it looks beautiful with the grapefruit juice) and coarse ground black pepper. It was more of an aesthetics thing, you can use regular ground pepper too.
You can mix it in the pitcher, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight as well.

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