Paloma Cocktail Recipe –
Mexico’s Favorite Tequila Drink

The Paloma is the most popular tequila cocktail in Mexico — a refreshing, citrusy drink made with 100% agave tequila, grapefruit soda, and fresh lime juice. Simpler than a Margarita but just as delicious, it’s the go-to drink for locals and a must-try for visitors.

At Cancun Tequila Tasting, we serve the Paloma in our master classes and mixology sessions, where guests learn to balance its flavors like a true bartender. Here’s how to make it at home — with a few pro tips from our certified agave specialists.

Why the Paloma Is Mexico’s National Cocktail

While tourists often reach for a Margarita, Mexicans choose the Paloma. It was first created in the 1950s at a bar in Guadalajara and has since become a cultural staple. The combination of tart grapefruit, sweet soda, and earthy tequila creates a perfectly balanced drink that’s ideal for warm weather, beach days, or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) 100% agave Blanco tequila
• 4 oz (120 ml) grapefruit soda (like Jarritos or Squirt)
• 0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice
• Salt for rim (optional)
• Garnish: lime wedge

How to Make a Paloma Cocktail

1. Rim a highball or Collins glass with salt (optional).
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add the tequila and fresh lime juice.
4. Pour in the grapefruit soda and stir gently to combine.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve immediately.

Cocktail Tips from Our Tequila Masters

• ✅ Use fresh lime juice — bottled juice lacks brightness and can make the drink taste flat.
• ✅ Try it with fresh grapefruit juice + soda water — for a more sophisticated, less sweet version.
• ✅ Upgrade to Reposado tequila — for a smoother, oak-aged twist on the classic.
• ✅ Use a quality grapefruit soda — like Jarritos, which is made with real fruit.
• ✅ Don’t skip the salt rim — it balances the citrus and enhances the tequila’s flavor.

Want to Learn More Cocktail Secrets?

This recipe is just the beginning. In our Tequila & Mixology Class, you’ll create your own signature cocktail, learn pairing techniques, and taste 6 premium 100% agave tequilas — all in the scenic setting of Lighthouse Restaurant.

Love This Tequila? Take It Home.

The Blanco tequila used in this Paloma is available for purchase and delivery to the United States. We only sell 100% agave tequilas that we personally taste and approve in our master classes — no mixtos, no imposters.