Paloma with Tequila, Grapefruit Soda and Lime
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Ingredients 🧂🥕
- Tequila50 ml
- Grapefruit Soda40 ml
- Agave Syrup5 ml
- Limes0.4 pcs
- Ice Cubes125 g
- Salt5 g
Instructions 👩🍳
Step-by-step:
- Prepare the lime and glass: Squeeze the lime and put ice in a serving glass. Follow the illustrated recipe for the exact details.
- Mix the tequila base: Add the tequila, lime juice and agave syrup. Stir until the syrup is evenly distributed.
- Finish with grapefruit soda: Pour in the grapefruit soda and stir gently without knocking out the bubbles. Serve the Paloma freshly mixed.
Paloma: tequila, grapefruit soda, and a bright lime edge
Tequila, grapefruit fizz and a squeeze of lime: a Paloma brings a bright citrus flavor to the glass. It is sweet, tart and a little bitter, with plenty of ice to keep it cold. Add a salt rim if you like, put a few savory snacks on the table and serve it freshly mixed.
Grapefruit soda gives the drink its fizz
This version combines tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice and agave syrup over ice, with salt for an optional rim. The soda adds sweetness as well as bubbles. Agave syrup adds more sweetness, while lime brings acidity. Tequila remains part of the flavor; this recipe does not specify a particular style.
Grapefruit sodas vary in sweetness and bitterness. Taste the mixer on its own so you know what it brings to the glass. Use the salt on the outside of the rim rather than tipping the rim salt into the drink.
Mix the base before adding the bubbles
Stir the tequila, lime juice and syrup together evenly. Chilled soda goes in last, followed by a gentle stir. Vigorous stirring makes the fizz fade faster. Never shake carbonated ingredients in a closed shaker: pressure can force the lid off.
Wash the lime before cutting or squeezing it and use clean utensils. Keep prepared juice and cut garnish covered in the refrigerator until needed. Fresh ice and a cold mixer help the drink start chilled; serve promptly before meltwater changes the balance.
Small touches for a good glass
- Try a partial rim: Salt on one side lets you choose a sip with or without it.
- Keep the ice clean: Use a clean scoop or tongs when filling the glass.
- Leave room to stir: Choose a glass that holds the drink and ice without filling to the brim.
Optional juice or chili salt
Fresh grapefruit juice with soda water offers a different version of the drink. It changes the sweetness, so it needs its own balance rather than a direct substitution by volume. Wash the grapefruit before squeezing and keep prepared juice chilled. Chili salt gives the optional rim a spicy finish.
A savory bite alongside
Tacos, guacamole with chips or grilled corn work well with the citrus flavors. For a different grapefruit cocktail on another occasion, try a Sea Breeze. Vodka and cranberry join grapefruit juice in that still drink, giving it a different flavor from the sparkling Paloma.
Chill the ingredients ahead
Keep prepared lime juice and garnish covered in the refrigerator. Chill the soda separately and follow the storage directions on opened soda and syrup bottles. Add soda and fresh ice when you serve each glass. A finished drink left with its ice keeps diluting and loses its bubbles.
Frequently asked questions
Does this recipe use grapefruit juice or soda?
Grapefruit soda. Fresh juice with soda water is a variation that changes the sweetness and balance.
Is the salt rim essential?
No. You can use a partial rim or leave it off. Keep rim salt on the outside of the glass.
Should I shake a Paloma?
Mix this version in the glass. Add the soda last and stir gently; never shake carbonated soda in a closed shaker.