World Paloma Day: 4 Paloma Cocktail Recipes To Try At Home

The Paloma cocktail has been a favourite in Mexico for many years, thought to have originated in the 1950s, when a grapefruit soda called Squirt was introduced to the country. But in recent times, the tequila tipple has soared in popularity all over the world, with fans loving its fruity, refreshing taste and pretty aesthetic – particularly during the summer months. Here’s how to make your own at home, just in time for World Paloma Day.

How To Make A Paloma Cocktail

What Is A Paloma?

A Paloma cocktail is traditionally made with tequila, pink grapefruit soda or grapefruit juice, lime juice and agave syrup, and served in a highball glass rimmed with salt – but there are lots of fun twists you can do too. 

What’s The Difference Between A Margarita And A Paloma?

Although the Margarita and the Paloma share some ingredients, they are distinctly different cocktails. The Margarita uses lime juice as its star ingredient, creating a zesty, sweet and sour taste, while grapefruit juice is key in the Paloma, resulting in a more subtly sweet, refreshing drink.

4 Paloma Recipes

PATRÓN’s Perfect Paloma

Ingredients:

• 45ml Patrón Reposado
• 90ml fresh grapefruit juice
• 15ml agave syrup (1:1)
• 15ml fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 30ml sparkling water
• 1 pinch of salt
• Grapefruit slice for garnish
• Salt rim (optional)

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients except sparkling water in a shaker tin and shake with ice to chill.
2. Strain onto fresh ice in a sugar and salt rimmed Collins’s glass.
3. Top with sparkling water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.

Recipe from PATRÓN

Ellers Farm Distillery’s Pineapple Paloma

Ingredients:

• 30ml Ellers Farm Pineapple & Grapefruit Liqueur
• 20ml tequila
• 25ml lime juice
• 100ml pink grapefruit soda

Method:

1. Build all ingredients in a stemless wine glass.
2. Stir with ice.
3. Garnish with a pink grapefruit wedge and salt rim.

Recipe from Ellers Farm Distillery

Lanique’s Paloma Rosa

Ingredients:

• 50ml tequila
• 25ml Lanique Spirit of Rose liqueur
• 10ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 30ml pink grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
• 30ml pink grapefruit soda

Method:

1. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into ice-filled glass. 
2. Top with pink grapefruit soda.
3. Garnish with grapefruit juice and a Himalayan pink salt rim.

Recipe from Lanique

The Lost Explorer’s Earthy Paloma

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz / 50 ml The Lost Explorer Espadín
• 3 oz / 100 ml Grapefruit Juice
• ¼ oz / 10 ml Lime Juice
• Tonic water to top (optional)
• Rimmed with volcanic salt & grapefruit slice

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients except tonic water in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake it up. 
3. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
4. Sit in the sunshine.

Recipe from The Lost Explorer