Trending · 2025–2026 #9 most trending
Paloma
built · The Speakeasy Selection
Paloma
"In Mexico, the Paloma outsells the Margarita. The world is finally catching on."
At a Glance
| Trend Rank | #9 · Mexico's #1 Cocktail Going Global |
| Vibe | Refreshing · Casual · Sunny · Unpretentious |
| Strength | Medium (approx. 10–14% ABV) |
| Best For | Happy hour · Summer afternoons · Taco nights · Outdoors |
| Skill Level | Easy — built in the glass |
Flavor Profile
The Paloma is defined by grapefruit's complex bitterness and tartness, softened by a small touch of sweetness and lifted by bubbles. The tequila provides backbone without dominating. The salt — whether in the liquid or on the rim — ties everything together. It's crushable.
Ingredients
Craft Paloma (1 serving)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blanco tequila | 60 ml / 2 oz | 100% agave; Espolòn, Olmeca Altos, or Casamigos |
| Fresh grapefruit juice | 60 ml / 2 oz | Always freshly squeezed — the flavor difference is enormous |
| Fresh lime juice | 15 ml / 0.5 oz | Brightens and balances the grapefruit |
| Agave nectar | 10 ml / 0.33 oz | Optional — omit if your grapefruit is sweet enough |
| Pinch of sea salt | — | Stir in, or salt the rim |
| Soda water | To top (~60 ml) | Adds effervescence |
Traditional Shortcut Version
Replace fresh grapefruit juice + soda with Jarritos Grapefruit Soda or Squirt — more casual, equally delicious.
Instructions
- Salt the rim (optional but classic): Rub a lime wedge around half the rim of a highball glass, then dip in coarse sea salt. Half-rim only — this gives the drinker the choice.
- Add ice to the glass.
- Pour tequila over the ice.
- Add fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and a pinch of salt (or agave nectar if using).
- Top with soda water and stir gently once.
- Garnish with a grapefruit half-wheel and lime wedge on the rim.
- Serve immediately.
Build-in-glass approach: Unlike the Margarita, the Paloma is built — not shaken — which makes it faster, more casual, and arguably just as good when made with fresh juice.
Glassware & Presentation
Glass: Highball glass or tall glass Serve: On the rocks, tall-built Temperature: Cold — ice-filled glass is essential Rim: Sea salt (half-rim recommended) Garnish: Grapefruit half-wheel + lime wedge
The Story
In Mexico, the Paloma (Spanish for "dove") has long outsold the Margarita — a fact that surprises most Americans, who assumed the Margarita held universal dominance. The Paloma's origins are murky, but the drink is associated with the Hacienda de Chihuahua distillery and may be traced to the 1950s. Some attribute a version of it to Don Javier Delgado Corona, the legendary barman of La Capilla in Tequila, Jalisco.
The classic version is beautifully simple: tequila, grapefruit soda (traditionally Jarritos or Squirt), lime, and salt. The craft bar evolution replaced the soda with fresh grapefruit juice and sparkling water — producing a more complex, less sweet, more photogenic drink.
The Paloma arrived in the US craft cocktail scene in the 2010s and has been on a steady climb since. By 2025–2026, driven by the rise of tequila culture, sober-curious adjacent drinking (low ABV profile), and the grapefruit flavor trend, it's one of the fastest-growing cocktails in America.
By the Numbers
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Mexico ranking | #1 most consumed tequila cocktail |
| US search growth (2023–2025) | +120% |
| TikTok hashtag views (#paloma) | 380M+ |
| Grapefruit cocktail trend growth | Top 5 fastest growing flavor profile 2025 |
| Average bar price (US, 2025) | $12–$18 |
Quick-Reference Card
PALOMA
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Blanco tequila 60 ml
Fresh grapefruit juice 60 ml
Fresh lime juice 15 ml
Agave nectar 10 ml (optional)
Pinch of sea salt
Soda water to top
→ Half-salt the rim
→ Build over ice in highball glass
→ Stir gently once
→ Garnish: grapefruit half-wheel + lime wedge
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Variations
| Variation | Twist |
|---|---|
| Spicy Paloma | Add 2 jalapeño slices — swicy meets grapefruit |
| Mezcal Paloma | Swap tequila for mezcal — smoky and sophisticated |
| Rosé Paloma | Add a splash of dry rosé instead of some soda water |
| Blood Orange Paloma | Mix half grapefruit, half blood orange juice — deeper color |
| Frozen Paloma | Blend with ice — perfect for pool days |
| Paloma Spritz | Top with Aperol and prosecco instead of soda |
Pairing Suggestions
- Food: Tacos, ceviche, fish and chips, grilled corn, fresh guacamole, tropical fruit
- Occasion: Taco Tuesday, summer BBQs, afternoon pools, casual happy hour
- Music vibe: Latin pop, cumbia, relaxed reggae, afternoon house
Explore More
Avoiding alcohol? The Virgin Paloma keeps every drop of the grapefruit brightness and salt-lime balance — it's one of the most convincing zero-proof swaps in the library.
See the zero-proof version Virgin Paloma- #paloma
- #tequila
- #grapefruit
- #mexicancocktail
- #summercocktail
- #refreshing
- #saltrim
- #highball
- #citrus
- #therapeuticcocktails
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Both are authentic. Jarritos Toronja is the traditional Mexican version — sweeter, more consistent, and intensely grapefruit-flavoured. Fresh grapefruit is more complex, tart, and nuanced. For home use, fresh is excellent; Jarritos is the beach-bar, batch-cocktail version. Either is correct.
-
Yes, by a wide margin. The Paloma is Mexico's most consumed tequila cocktail domestically. The Margarita is largely a US-driven phenomenon — most neighbourhood bars in Mexico have never made one. If you want to drink like a local, order a Paloma.
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Blanco tequila is traditional — the agave flavour shines cleanly against grapefruit. Reposado adds vanilla and wood notes that work beautifully but change the character. Avoid mezcal unless you specifically want smoke. Whatever you choose, use 100% agave tequila — mixto blends make the drink harsh.
From the Lab
Master the craft behind this drink
The fundamentals that make this drink work — explained in The Lab.