The paloma is almost as popular as margaritas are south of the boarder and although they are often described as similar, they are both uniquely fabulous is their own way…
A sweet and tart combination of grapefruit juice, lime juice, seltzer water and agave is both delicious and refreshing. The balance of this drink all depends on which kind of grapefruit you use and how much agave you add. White grapefruits will really lean into the sour, while red grapefruits impart a sweeter flavor to this beautiful mocktail.
Let’s get started…
Begin by juicing fresh grapefruits and limes. When it comes to the ratio of this drink, you will need just about a 3-2-1 amount of seltzer water, grapefruit juice and lime juice.
Once you gather your juice, zest and slice a lime or grapefruit for garnishing.
I love sugaring the rim of my paloma glasses and if you want to dress up your mocktail too, add some granulated sugar into a shallow bowl or plate and sprinkle some of that zest over the sugar. The combination of sugar and zest around the rim of a glass filled with a cheerful pink paloma is so inviting!
Rub a lime wedge around the entire rim of your glasses and then dip them into the sugar and zest…
Once your glasses are ready to go, add 1/4 cup of fresh grapefruit juice and a tablespoon of fresh lime juice into each glass. Add 1-3 teaspoons of agave (depending on how sweet you prefer your drinks) and about 1/2 cup of seltzer water.
This is the ratio that I love, but feel free to make it exactly how you want it! Give it a taste and add more citrus juice if you really want a punch of sour flavors or add more seltzer water if you’d like to make things a little more subtle.
If your juices and seltzer were chilled then your palomas will be perfect as is, but if everything was room temperature or you just prefer a chilly beverage then feel free to add a little crushed ice before serving.
Garnish your paloma with a few thin slices of grapefruit or lime and a big pinch of lime zest. The garnishes are not only beautiful, but help to solidify the punch of citrus in this fabulous mocktail.
If you prefer an adult version of this drink then simple add a 2 ounces of tequila and sip your way to summertime happiness…
Grapefruit Paloma
Ingredients
- fresh grapefruit juice
- fresh lime juice
- agave
- seltzer water
- granulated sugar (for the rim)
- lime wedges, slices and zest (for garnishing)
Instructions
- Prepare your mocktail glasses by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dipping the rim into granulated sugar.
- Add 1/4 cup of fresh grapefruit juice and 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice into each glass.
- Add 1-3 teaspoons of agave (depending on how sweet you prefer your mocktail) and mix to combine.
- Add about 1/2 cup of seltzer water or more, if desired.
- Garnish with sliced limes and add crushed ice. if desired.
