Paloma

While you might already be a Ranch Water groupie or a Margarita maniac, there's another classic tequila drink to enjoy: the paloma. Like a fruity twist on a margarita, this a paloma cocktail will even have your tequila-adverse friends asking for refills.

Traditionally, a Mexican paloma (Spanish for "dove") calls for tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit soda, such as Jarritos. (You can also use Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit.) However, our paloma recipe uses grapefruit juice and a more basic sparkling water—Topo Chico, of course!—to make it very possible that you can always have these ingredients on hand. You can also customize the recipe to fit your preferences and have it be reasonably low on sugar.

Learn how to make your new favorite sweet, sour, fruity drink, the paloma.

Ingredients for the Best Paloma

To make palomas, you'll need:

• Tequila: Preferably a blanco tequila, such as Espolon or Casamigos. You can also use mezcal in lieu of tequila if you want to add a smoky kick.
• Grapefruit juice: Fresh is best, and you'll want some fresh wedges of grapefruit to garnish, but bottled will also do in a pinch.
• Lime juice: See grapefruit note above.
• Salt rim: Salt the rim of your glass with coarse sea salt to get just a taste with each sip. If you're not choosing to salt the rim, sprinkle a pinch of salt right into the cocktail itself. (The salt helps to offset any bitterness or sourness from the grapefruit.)
• Topo Chico: We recommend using either the Twist of Grapefruit or Twist of Lime flavor of Topo Chico. Can also be substituted with any sparkling water.
• Ice
• Grapefruit wedge or lime slice: For garnish.
  

We don't prefer using any sugar or simple syrup, but we'll provide the option below for anyone who likes a sweeter cocktail.

How To Make the Best Paloma

Like many classic drinks, this one is a snap to make once you know the steps. The full recipe is below, but here's a quick recap:

• Step 1. Prepare the glass: Salt the rim of your glass. Add ice.
• Step 2. Add ingredients: Pour tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice into glass. Top with Topo Chico.
• Step 3. Add fruit wedges: Garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge, and enjoy! Feel free to multiply this recipe to batch this cocktail for a crowd.

What's the Difference Between a Paloma and a Margarita?

While both cocktails feature bold, citrus flavors, margaritas typically call for lime juice and an orange liqueur like Triple Sec for a well-rounded, citrusy flavor. Palomas are primarily grapefruit-focused.