Paloma Mocktail Recipe (Cocktail Version Included)
Published May 03, 2024
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This bubbly and refreshing grapefruit paloma mocktail features grapefruit juice, tart lime juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water combined with non-alcoholic or regular tequila. Complete with a sugar rim and garnished with a grapefruit slice, this drink is both beautiful and delicious!
Table of Contents
What is a Paloma?
A classic Paloma is a popular, Mexican, tequila-based cocktail that consists of tequila, grapefruit soda (such as Jarritos or Squirt soda), lime juice, and a pinch of salt. It’s usually served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass and garnished with a slice of lime. It’s a refreshing and tangy drink with delicious grapefruit flavor–perfect for warm weather!
Today, we’re making a lightened-up version with grapefruit juice and sparkling water instead of soda. It’s refreshing, delicious, and will be your new drink of summer!
What Makes This Recipe Great
Summer citrus makes everything bright, and refreshing, and this Virgin Paloma Mocktail is no exception! It’s the perfect drink for all your Spring and Summer gatherings– from Cinco De Mayo to Memorial Day, 4th of July, and the summer BBQs in between.
Pink grapefruit juice is combined with lime juice, maple syrup, sparkling water, and non-alcoholic or regular tequila for a crisp and refreshing citrus margarita. Whether you make the mocktail or a cocktail version, this drink is sure to be your new favorite!
Dip the rim of the glass into a sweet and tart sugared rim and garnish with a grapefruit wedge. This is sure to be a hit this summer and beyond!
Ingredient Notes
Mocktail
- grapefruit juice: You can use fresh juice or bottled, depending on your preferences. Choose a juice that doesn’t have added sugar so you can adjust the sweetness with maple syrup or simple syrup.
- fresh lime juice
- maple syrup or simple syrup: For lower sugar use Lakanto sugar-free Maple Syrup. Adjust the sweetness to taste depending on your preferences.
- sparkling water: Use club soda or soda water, depending on what you have on hand.
- grapefruit slice
- Add tequila or non-alcoholic tequila: You can find zero proof tequila alternatives at speciality stores and online.
Rim
- granulated monk fruit
- lime zest
- true grapefruit packet
- Honey or agave syrup
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake well until chilled.
- Add honey or agave nectar to the rim of a glass. On a small plate, add the granulated monk fruit, lime zest, and true grapefruit packet. Dip your glass into the rim mixture.
- Strain and pour the grapefruit mixture into a glass filled with ice. Top off the glass with sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
Expert Tips
- To make a spicy paloma mocktail, feel free to add some muddled jalapeno to your cocktail shaker and add tajin seasoning to the rim mixture.
- For an alcoholic version, add 1.5 ounces of Blanco tequila. For the mocktail, you can omit the tequila altogether or find an alcohol-free tequila alternative.
- This cocktail is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan if you use agave instead of honey.
- To make a large pitcher of this delicious Paloma mocktail, click on the print button in the recipe card below. Select the number of servings you’d like to make and the ingredient amounts will adjust. I recommend topping each glass off with sparkling water instead of including it in the pitcher. Store it in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before pouring over individual glasses of ice.
Recipe FAQs
The Paloma gets its name from the Spanish word for “dove.” There are a couple of theories regarding the origins of the name. One, theory is that the drink came from the song “La Paloma”. Another one suggests that the drink’s light, refreshing qualities are reminiscent of a dove’s gentle nature.
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Paloma Mocktail Recipe (Cocktail Version Included)
Ingredients
Mocktail
- 1/4 cup grapefruit juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or simple syrup (for lower sugar use Lakanto Sugar Free Maple Syrup
- Sparkling water
- Grapefruit slice for garnish
- add 1.5 oz of tequila or use NA tequila
Rim
- 3 tbsp Monk Fruit
- 2 tsp Lime Zest
- 1 packet True Grapefruit
- honey
Instructions
- Combine fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and maple syrup in a shaker. Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake well until chilled. Add honey to the rim of a glass and dip into the rim mixture. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit.
Notes
Expert Tips
- To make a spicy paloma kick, feel free to add some muddled jalapeno to your cocktail shaker and add tajin seasoning to the rim mixture.
- For an alcoholic version, add 1.5 ounces of Blanco tequila. For the mocktail, you can omit the tequila altogether or find an alcohol-free tequila alternative.
- This cocktail is completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan if you use agave instead of honey.
- To make a pitcher, click on the print button in the recipe card below. Select the number of servings you’d like to make and the ingredient amounts will adjust. I recommend topping each glass off with sparkling water instead of including it in the pitcher. Store it in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before pouring over each glass of ice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
