Shake and fine strain into a half-salted coupe
Margarita
Bright lime, clean tequila, and a crisp salted edge.
Build over cubed ice and stir gently
Paloma
A tall, lightly bitter highball built for bright citrus and easy refreshment.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 4 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Highball
- Approx. ABV
- 12% · Medium-low
- Tradition
- Mexican
- Profile
- Sweet · Sour · Bitter · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
2 ozBlanco tequilaRecommended brandEspolòn Blanco
0.25 ozFresh lime juiceRecommended brandSunkist Persian Lime
1 pinchKosher saltRecommended brandDiamond Crystal Kosher Salt
4 ozPink grapefruit sodaRecommended brandFever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit
1 sliceLime wheelOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Persian Lime
Measured method · one drink
How to make Paloma
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Season the glass
1 pinch kosher salt
Sprinkle 1 pinch kosher salt into an empty highball glass.
Season the glass visual check - 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.
Build the tequila base visual check - 03
Top with grapefruit soda
4 oz pink grapefruit soda
Slowly pour in 4 oz pink grapefruit soda, keeping the bubbles lively.
Top with grapefruit soda visual check - 04
Stir briefly
Stir · 5 sec
Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the soda.
Stir briefly visual check - 05
Add the lime
1 lime wheel
Set 1 lime wheel on the rim, if using.
Add the lime visual check
Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the soda.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Add the soda last to preserve carbonation
Technique note
Why this build works
The 4 ounces of grapefruit soda provide sweetness, bitterness, and bubbles around 2 ounces of tequila. That is why the extra lime is only ¼ ounce: it sharpens a mixer that is already flavored, rather than building a complete sour from plain soda. The pinch of salt belongs in the drink in this version. A gentle stir carries it and the lime through the glass so the last sip is not more concentrated than the first.
Common failure points
- The Paloma tastes thin and sharply sour.
- Check that the bottle is sweetened grapefruit soda, not unsweetened grapefruit sparkling water. Those products do different jobs, and more lime will make the mismatch worse.
- Salt dominates the finish.
- Start with a small pinch inside the glass and avoid adding a full salted rim as well. Kosher salt crystal sizes vary; add less first, dissolve it with gentle stirring, and taste.
Measure or substitute
Reposado tequila can replace blanco at 2 ounces and adds oak character. Fresh grapefruit juice plus plain soda is a separate variation requiring sweetness adjustment; it is not a direct 4-ounce substitute for grapefruit soda.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Highball glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Highball
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Blanco tequila
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.
