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Classic Paloma Cocktail Recipe

Name: Classic Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Yield: 1 cocktail
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 ounces tequila; 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice; 2 ounces club soda; ½ ounce fresh lime juice; 1 teaspoon sugar; Garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge; Kosher salt (optional)

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Jun 1, 2026 • 1 min read

The paloma is a refreshing tequila cocktail from Mexico. While grapefruit soda from the Mexican brand Jarritos is part of the traditional drink recipe, it can sometimes be difficult to find in local grocery stores in the USA. The paloma cocktail is a tequila drink that tastes delicious with other grapefruit soda varieties, or with fresh ingredients like grapefruit juice mixed with soda water.

For a more simple paloma cocktail recipe, use one part tequila to three parts grapefruit soda, served on the rocks in a highball glass.

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Paloma Cocktail Recipe

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makes

1 cocktail

Ingredients

1
Make a salted rim by moistening the rim of a highball glass with the lime or grapefruit wedge, then dip it into the salt to coat. If you don’t want a salted rim, you can start with the next step.
2
Add ice cubes to a cocktail shaker, then pour in your tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sugar.
3
Shake until well mixed and sugar is dissolved.
4
Strain into a highball glass over some ice cubes, leaving some room at the top.
5
Top the cocktail with the club soda.
6
Garnish with the grapefruit or lime wedge.

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