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. Here is the recipe for the most refreshing spicy paloma cocktail.
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
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.
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.
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
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
Fresh Lime Spicy Margarita Recipe | How to Make Skinny Jalapeño Margarita