If you're looking for the perfect cocktail to serve at your next summer get together, look no further than this Classic Paloma Cocktail recipe. A Paloma is one of my favorite tequila cocktails and combines blanco tequila with grapefruit soda, for a drink that is deliciously refreshing. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

What I love most about this easy Paloma recipe is that it can be prepared in minutes. I combine the tequila and grapefruit soda with some Simple Syrup and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for added zing.

These are the cocktails I love to make over the warm summer months when I don't want to spend too much time indoors, and would rather be outside enjoying my cocktail in the sunshine.

If you enjoy a cocktail when the sun is out, try my Jamaican Rum Punch, Fruity Martini, or Jamaican Guinness Punch recipes.

Paloma Cocktail Ingredients

Here's what you will need to make a homemade Paloma cocktail:

• Tequila - when it comes to making the best Paloma, I use Blanco tequila.
• Lime - use fresh lime juice for the best flavor, although bottled lime juice can work in a pinch.
• Simple Syrup - make your own Simple Syrup using my quick and easy recipe. Alternatively, you can buy bottled sugar syrups in your local store.
• Soda - I like to use grapefruit soda in my Paloma cocktail.
• Grapefruit - garnish the cocktail with a half wheel of fresh grapefruit.

How to make a Classic Paloma Cocktail

In a shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently to combine.

Garnish with a grapefruit half wheel and serve immediately.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best Paloma Cocktail recipe you've ever tried. 

• If you don't have a shaker, you can simply combine all of the ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir until well combined.
• This cocktail is best served immediately, but it can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply add ice and stir well.
• Don't add the ice cubes until you are ready to serve, otherwise, you risk them melting and diluting the cocktail.
• Serving more people, no problem, just increase the recipe and prepare in a large jug rather than a cocktail shaker.

Flavor variations

• The most common grapefruit sodas used in Palomas are Squirt, Fresca, and Jarritos Toronja (grapefruit-flavored soda).
• If you can't find grapefruit soda, mix some fresh grapefruit juice with a little sparkling water instead.
• I've garnished the cocktail with a slice of dried grapefruit, but you could also add a slice of lime or a slice of fresh grapefruit.

FAQs

If you have tried this Paloma Cocktail recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Paloma Cocktail

This Classic Paloma Cocktail recipe is one of my favorite tequila cocktails and combines blanco tequila with grapefruit soda, for a drink that is deliciously refreshing.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: classic paloma cocktail recipe, easy paloma recipe, Paloma cocktail, tequila cocktails

Servings: 1

Calories: 198kcal

Author: Tanya

Equipment

• 1 cocktail shaker

Ingredients

• 2 oz bianco tequila
• ¾ oz lime juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 2 oz grapefruit soda
• grapefruit half wheel for garnish

Instructions

• In a shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
• Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently to combine.
• Garnish with a grapefruit half wheel and serve immediately.

Notes

• The most common grapefruit sodas used in Palomas are Squirt, Fresca, and Jarritos Toronja (grapefruit-flavored soda).
• If you don't have a shaker, you can simply combine all of the ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir until well combined.
• This cocktail is best served immediately, but it can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, simply add ice and stir well.

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

My Homemade Simple Syrup recipe can be made in minutes by combining water and sugar. Once made it's ready to add to your favorite cocktails and mocktails, to add a touch of sweetness to lemonade, or try adding it to your favorite iced teas and coffees.

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

As summer approaches, I love sitting outdoors enjoying a cocktail with the sun on my face. This simple sugar syrup works perfectly in my Paloma Cocktail recipe. Combined with tequila and grapefruit soda it makes the perfect summer sunshine cocktail.

This is a simple syrup recipe using a basic ratio of 1:1 sugar to water and can be prepared in less than 10 minutes. Just allow it to cool and add it to your favorite cocktail or iced drink.

I've kept the recipe simple, but you can add a variety of flavors to this syrup, from fresh herbs to spices and fresh fruits. To help you out, I've included some additional flavor suggestions later in the post.

Ingredients

• Sugar - I use white granulated sugar but you can use any type of sugar for this recipe.
• Water - use tap water if you are lucky enough to live somewhere with good water, if not use filtered water.

How to make Simple Syrup

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.

Stir and cook over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved about 3-4 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Store in an airtight container and use in soft drinks or cocktail recipes, hot or iced teas, and coffees.

Other ways to heat the simple syrup

You don't have to make simple syrup on the stovetop in a pan. My other two favorite methods of making a simple syrup are quick and easy and require no stovetop.

• Simple Syrup with a Kettle - Heat your water in a kettle and add it to a heat-proof jar with a lid, like a mason jar. Add the sugar to the jar, cover, and shake it until the sugar is dissolved.
• Microwave Simple Syrup - Combine the sugar and water in a microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup and stir the sugar and water mixture until thoroughly mixed. Microwave the mixture on high for approximately one minute, then remove carefully (the bowl may still be hot) and stir. Return to microwave and microwave for another 30 seconds.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best simple syrup you've ever tried. 

• Take care not to burn yourself when decanting the hot liquid into a container. I often use a funnel to avoid any spillages.
• Sugar syrup will last in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, after that, it can start to turn cloudy which is a sign that the syrup has spoiled.
• Allow the syrup to cool completely before adding it to cold drinks.
• For a sugar syrup with more depth, try my brown sugar syrup or honey simple syrup.

Flavor variations

• You can use any type of sugar you like for this recipe. I like to use white granulated sugar, but white superfine sugar, brown sugar, or coconut sugar would also be good choices.
• Brown sugar will result in a slight caramel flavor.
• Make a honey syrup using the same 1:1 ratio of honey to water.
• You can also make flavored simple syrups by adding herbs, spices, or fruit to the sugar and water mixture before heating:
  • a few sprigs of fresh mint
  • cinnamon stick, a grating of nutmeg, or a vanilla pod
  • sliced root ginger
  • a few slices of lemon or orange

Serving suggestions

Add to a variety of drinks, cocktails, and mocktails, anywhere where you want to add a touch of extra sweetness.

I like to add it to a Classic Lemonade recipe or use it to sweeten my Homemade Jamaican Ginger Beer, Jamaican Sorrel Drink, Jamaican Lemonade, Green Sherbet Punch, or my Strawberry Basil Lemonade

You can also use it to sweeten hot or iced tea or coffee drinks.

How long does homemade simple syrup last?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

FAQs

If you have tried this Simple Syrup recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Simple Syrup

My Homemade Simple Syrup recipe can be made in minutes combining water and sugar. Use simple syrup for cocktails, or to add a touch of sweetness to lemonade, or try adding it to your iced teas and coffee. This is a versatile syrup and the options are endless.

Prep Time2 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time7 minutes mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cocktail sugar syrup, simple sugar syrup, simple syrup, simple syrup for cocktails, simple syrup recipe, sugar syrup recipe for cocktails

Servings: 16

Calories: 48kcal

Author: Tanya

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stir and cook over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, about 3-4 minutes.
• Remove from heat and let cool completely.
• Use in any drink or cocktail recipe that calls for simple syrup.

Notes

1. This recipe will yield 1 ⅓ cups of simple syrup.
2. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
3. You can use any type of sugar you like for this recipe. I like to use white sugar, but brown sugar or coconut sugar would also be good choices.
4. You can also make flavored simple syrups by adding herbs, spices, or fruit to the sugar and water mixture before heating. For example, you could add a few sprigs of mint, a cinnamon stick, or a few slices of lemon.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg