Name: Paloma with Grilled Grapefruit
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2 Cocktails
Ingredients: For the Paloma; 2 medium red or pink grapefruit; Toasted Grapefruit Zest Salt Rim Mixture (see recipe below); 1 ounce fresh lime juice; ½ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup; 4 ounces blanco tequila; 3 to 4 ounces chilled sparkling water or club soda; Ice; Grilled Grapefruit Wedge

Drinks

Paloma with Grilled Grapefruit

Author: Mary DiSomma

I’ve always had a soft spot for grapefruit—especially pink grapefruit. My dad used to serve it to us on Sundays, sliced in half with each segment carefully cut out using a grapefruit knife. It was our little ritual, and that flavor always stuck with me. These days, I still prefer pink grapefruit, and it just so happens to be the star of one of my favorite summer cocktail recipes: the Paloma.

Paloma with Grilled Grapefruit

This vibrant Paloma gets its signature flavor from pink grapefruit, a hint of lime, and a smoky grilled grapefruit garnish with a toasted zest salt rim.

Yield: 2 Cocktails
Prep Time: 5 minutes 5 min
Total Time: 5 minutes 5 min

Ingredients

For the Paloma

2 medium red or pink grapefruit
Toasted Grapefruit Zest Salt Rim Mixture (see recipe below)
1 ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
4 ounces blanco tequila
3 to 4 ounces chilled sparkling water or club soda
Ice

For the Garnish (optional)

Grilled Grapefruit Wedge

Instructions

Zest one grapefruit. Prepare the toasted grapefruit zest salt rim mixture. Set aside while preparing the drink. The salt rim mixture can be prepared up to one month ahead and stored at room temperature.
Cut both grapefruit in half. Slice a ¼-inch round off one of the halves. I like to grill the grapefruit slice and use it for garnish and moisten the rim of the drink glasses with juice. If grilling the garnish, make sure to do it about 15 minutes before you want to make your palomas.
Juice the grapefruit. For two drinks you will need about 4 ounces (½ cup) of juice. You may have more than you need.
Before making the drinks, I like to rim the two glasses. If you like, you can chill the glasses in the freezer for an hour before rimming them and preparing the paloma. I like to use a Collins or Old-Fashioned glass. Cut the reserved grapefruit wheel (grilled if you like!) into quarters. Use two quarters to moisten the lip of the glasses. Place some of the salt rim mixture on a small plate. Dip the glass rims into the salt rim mixture.
Place the grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, and simple syrup or agave nectar in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker halfway up with ice. Cover and shake for about 20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
Place some ice (I like to use a decorative round ice cube!) in the prepared glasses. Strain the paloma into the prepared glasses. Top off with the sparkling water or club soda. Place a reserved grapefruit quarter on the rim of the glasses and enjoy!

View Mary's Tips

Ingredient Tips

The Paloma is a bright, refreshing cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit juice. There are lots of different variations, and all of them are easy to love. This easy summer cocktail makes the perfect complement to grilled dishes at summer get-togethers. Add a few personal touches—like a grilled grapefruit garnish and a toasted grapefruit zest salt rim—and it becomes truly special.

Pink and red grapefruit are closely related, but red grapefruit tends to be slightly sweeter and a bit deeper in color. Pink grapefruit, my personal favorite, offers that lovely balance of tang and sweetness. Its soft pink color makes a stunning cocktail, too! Either one works for this recipe, so feel free to use what you love or have on hand!

Preparation + Preservation Tips

Don’t feel like firing up the grill? No problem. You can use a handheld kitchen torch to caramelize the grapefruit wheel. Just place it on a heatproof plate, sprinkle it with sugar, and torch it like you would a crème brûlée. It’s a fun option for indoor entertaining—or if you don’t have a grill at home!

If you’ve never made your own cocktail salt rim, this is the one to try. Make sure to zest a grapefruit before juicing it, then toast the zest in a low oven until it’s dry and fragrant. Mix it with kosher salt or sea salt and a little sugar, and you’ve got a uniquely delicious salt rim mixture for your paloma! That hint of sweetness from the sugar brings out the citrus flavors and balances the cocktail beautifully.

You can make this salt rim mixture ahead of time if you like—it’ll keep for up to a month in the pantry in a sealed container.

Extra Tips

Grapefruit is such a versatile fruit, especially in the warmer months. If you're as citrus-obsessed as I am, here are a few more recipes to try:

Erik and Tracy’s Easy Homemade Limoncello➝

Fresh Ruby Red Grapefruit and Rosemary Mimosa➝

Homemade Candied Citrus Peels for Desserts and Cocktails➝

Homemade Candied Citrus Slices➝