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.
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).