CocktailSteps

Build over cubed ice and stir gently

Paloma

A tall, lightly bitter highball built for bright citrus and easy refreshment.

Time
4 minutes
Level
Easy
Glass
Highball
Approx. ABV
12% · Medium-low
Start guided make Quick check
Paloma served in a highball

Measured for the room

Ingredients

Number of servings
  • Clear unbranded bottle of blanco tequila
    Blanco tequila

    Recommended brandEspolòn Blanco

    2 oz
  • Fresh lime juice in a small carafe beside a cut lime
    Fresh lime juice

    Recommended brandSunkist Persian Lime

    0.25 oz
  • Flaky kosher salt crystals
    Kosher salt

    Recommended brandDiamond Crystal Kosher Salt

    1 pinch
  • Pink grapefruit soda in an unbranded glass bottle
    Pink grapefruit soda

    Recommended brandFever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit

    4 oz
  • Fresh lime wheel
    Lime wheelOptional

    Recommended brandSunkist Persian Lime

    1 slice

Amounts scale from the verified one-glass recipe. Technique and timing stay unchanged.

Choose your bottle

Bottle buying guide

Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.

  • Base spirit

    Blanco tequila

    Choose a bottle labeled 100% agave; bright pepper and citrus make the cleanest Margarita.

    • Best fit · RecommendedEspolòn BlancoApprox. $23–30 · 750 ml

      Bright agave and a clean finish make this the safest Margarita pick.

    • Smart buyOlmeca Altos PlataApprox. $22–28 · 750 ml

      Clean agave, citrus, and pepper deliver excellent mixing value.

    • UpgradeTequila Ocho PlataApprox. $42–55 · 750 ml

      More cooked-agave and mineral character when tequila should lead.

Approximate U.S. shelf prices reviewed July 2026. Local price and availability vary.

Measured method

How to make Paloma

  1. 01

    Season the glass

    1 pinch kosher salt

    Sprinkle 1 pinch kosher salt into an empty highball glass.

  2. 02

    Build the tequila base

    Cubed ice · 2 oz tequila · ¼ oz lime

    Fill the highball with cubed ice, then add 2 oz blanco tequila and ¼ oz fresh lime juice.

  3. 03

    Top with grapefruit soda

    4 oz pink grapefruit soda

    Slowly pour in 4 oz pink grapefruit soda, keeping the bubbles lively.

  4. 04

    Stir briefly

    Stir · 5 sec

    Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the soda.

  5. 05

    Add the lime

    1 lime wheel

    Set 1 lime wheel on the rim, if using.

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Set the station

Tools

  • Aged-brass Japanese-style jigger
    Jigger

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger

  • Long aged-brass bar spoon
    Bar spoon

    Recommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon

  • Empty clear highball glass
    Highball glass

    Recommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Highball

Know the pour

Medium-low

A long tequila highball lengthened with grapefruit soda and ice.

Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.