Technique
Salt only part of the rim, fill the glass completely with ice, then add tequila and fresh lime. Top with chilled grapefruit soda and lift once gently from the bottom; repeated stirring wastes the carbonation.
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Paloma
A paloma is a tequila-based cocktail. The drink is made by mixing tequila with grapefruit-flavored soda and lime juice.
Directions
- 1Salt the rim of a glass.
- 2Fill with ice.
- 3Add tequila and lime juice.
- 4Top with grapefruit soda.
TonicDB editorial guide
Make a better Paloma
This Paloma uses grapefruit soda for both citrus flavor and sweetness, making it an easy built-in-the-glass highball. Lime sharpens the grapefruit, a pinch of salt rounds its bitterness, and tequila should remain present beneath the carbonated mixer.
Serving
A tall glass keeps the 2:4 spirit-to-soda ratio cold and gives the bubbles room. A grapefruit wedge or thin lime wheel is enough garnish. Serve immediately after opening the soda rather than building several drinks far in advance.
What to avoid
A full heavy salt rim can make every sip taste briny, and flat soda removes much of the drink’s appeal. Avoid adding simple syrup before tasting—the grapefruit soda already supplies the recipe’s sweetness.
Try a variation
For a fresh-grapefruit version, replace the soda with two ounces grapefruit juice, two ounces soda water, and about a quarter ounce agave syrup. Taste before adding all the sweetener because grapefruit acidity changes through the season.
These notes explain how to execute and adapt the recipe shown above. Ingredients and serving traditions vary, so taste and adjust thoughtfully.
Contributed by @alfg