Spicy Paloma Recipe — How to Make a Refreshing Grapefruit Tequila Cocktail

It’s time to put your margarita aside and sip on the most popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit, a paloma with a spicy twist.

spicy paloma cocktail recipe

What is a Paloma Drink?

Paloma translates to “dove” in Spanish, and the traditional Paloma drink is  made with tequila blanco and grapefruit soda and served with a lime on the rocks.

It’s refreshing, and perfectly balanced, and goes incredibly well with spicy Mexican dishes. Also, the paloma cocktail is more popular in Mexico than a margarita. So, you know it’s delicious.

Ingredients to Make a Spicy Paloma Cocktail

  • tequila blanco
  • fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz club soda
  •  jalapeño
  •  lime
paloma cocktail recipe

How to Make a Tequila and Grapefruit  Drink

A classic paloma uses tequila as the base and then grapefruit soda and a little lime. But, I like making mine a little bit differently.

For this spicy paloma cocktail we use fresh squeezed grapefruit—talk about refreshing and a few slivers of jalapeño bring the heat.

how to make a paloma cocktail

To elevate this tequila cocktail we also rim the glass with a  mix of spicy, tangy and sweet.

Mix sugar, sea salt and chili powder together. Rim your rock glass with a wedge of lime and slide it across the spiced mixture.

make a spicy tequila and grapefruit

Next, fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, a slice or two of jalapeño and a squeeze of one lime wedge.

Shake, then pour into the rimmed glass and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

spicy paloma cocktail recipe

Spicy Paloma Cocktail

a refreshing tequila and grapefruit cocktail with jalapeno

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz tequila blanco
  • 1 1/2 oz grapefruit juice
  • 1 lime
  • 1 jalapeño

Ingredients for the rim

  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions
 

  • Mix sugar, sea salt and chili powder together.
  • Rim glass with a wedge of lime and dip into the mixture.
  • Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, a slice or two of jalapeño and a squeeze of one lime wedge.
  • Shake. Pour into the rimmed glass and garnish with a slice of grapefruit.

Additional Notes & Tips for this Tequila Cocktail

What is the difference between a Paloma and Margarita?

The major difference between a Paloma and Margarita are simple: A Margarita contains tequila and fresh lime juice, but it gets its sweetness triple sec or cointreau.

A Paloma gets its sweetness from Italian grapefruit soda and tastes like a little less sweet margarita.

What tequila should you use to make a spicy paloma recipe?

Typically, a paloma is made with tequila blanco.

Currently Maestro Dobel Diamante  is a favorite and I also like this this one. Any tequila blanco ( or clear tequila) makes for a perfect Paloma cocktail.

If you want to make an authentic paloma, this is my favorite grapefruit soda. Tequila and grapefruit soda is an easy match made in heaven.

When I’m in a rush, I also love making this drink with Spindrift Grapefruit Sparkling. ( For a delicious and easy skinny version).

More Tequila Cocktails You May Enjoy