Food and Recipes Recipes How To Make the Best Paloma 5.0 (1) 1 Review Like a fruitier twist on a margarita, this grapefruit cocktail is ready to party. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South.She earned a B.A. in Journalism at the University of Georgia. She hopes to inspire your travel bucket list with her features on road trips through Texas Hill Country, bourbon tours in Kentucky, and the best beach getaways on the Gulf Coast. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on November 22, 2022 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Hands On Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 1 Jump to recipe Tequila cocktails are having a moment, and it's about time. While you might already be a Ranch Water groupie or a margarita maniac, there's another classic tequila drink to enjoy on any night: the paloma. Like a fruity twist on a margarita, this grapefruit cocktail will even have your tequila-adverse friends asking for refills. Traditionally, a Mexican paloma involves using tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit soda, such as Jarritos. (You can also use Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit.) However, our recipe uses grapefruit juice and a more basic sparkling water — Topo Chico, of course! — to make it very possible that you can always have these ingredients on hand. You can also customize it to fit your preferences and have it reasonably low on sugar. Happy hour on the fly? Handled. Getty Images/bhofack2 We recommend using either the Twist of Grapefruit or Twist of Lime flavor of Topo Chico, as well as salting the rim of your glass to get just a taste with each sip. If you're not choosing to salt the rim, sprinkle a pinch of salt right into the cocktail itself. (The salt helps to offset any bitterness or sourness from the grapefruit.) You can also use mezcal in lieu of tequila if you want to add a smoky kick. We don't prefer using any sugar or simple syrup, but we'll provide the option below for anyone who likes a sweeter cocktail. Meet your new favorite sweet, sour, fruity drink in this party-ready Paloma. Ingredients 3 ounces blanco tequila, such as Espolon or Casamigos (about 2 shots) 2 ounces grapefruit juice (about 1 1/2 shots) 1/2 ounce lime juice (about half a shot) Salt rim (preferably coarse sea salt) Topo Chico (preferably Twist of Grapefruit or Twist of Lime) Ice Grapefruit wedge or lime slice for garnish Directions Rim the glass with salt, if desired. (Using a grapefruit or lime wedge, rub juice around the rim and then dip rim into any salt you have on hand.) Fill a glass with ice. Add tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice. Top with Topo Chico or sparkling water of your choice. Garnish with grapefruit or lime wedge. Enjoy! Tips If not rimming the glass, add a pinch of salt to the cocktail before stirring and serving. If you want a sweeter cocktail, add a teaspoon of simple syrup (or sugar dissolved in water). Rate it Print