If you like margaritas, you should know the Paloma. It’s a tequila and grapefruit cocktail – sparkling, citrusy, a little tart – and the Paloma recipe is simpler than you’d expect: tequila, grapefruit soda, fresh lime, salt, and ice.
You can mix a Paloma cocktail yourself with a few ingredients and no special equipment, or grab a Cuervo Canned Cocktails Paloma and skip the mixing entirely.
This guide covers what a Paloma is, how to make one, and different ways to enjoy this tequila and grapefruit cocktail.
What Is A Paloma?
A Paloma is a tequila-based cocktail that combines tequila with grapefruit and lime, typically served over ice and finished with grapefruit soda or another sparkling component. The name means “dove” in Spanish.
The result is bright, citrusy, slightly tart, and refreshing. While a classic margarita pairs tequila primarily with lime and orange liqueur, the Paloma puts grapefruit at the center of the cocktail.
The Paloma is widely considered the most popular tequila cocktail in Mexico, and it’s gained steady ground in the U.S. as more people look for lighter, sparkling alternatives to the margarita.
Is There A Canned Paloma?
Yes. Cuervo Canned Cocktails Paloma is a canned Paloma made with real Cuervo tequila, grapefruit liqueur, and grapefruit and citrus flavors. It’s lightly sparkling at 5.9% ABV (11.8 proof), and took home a Double Platinum at the ASCOT Awards for its fresh grapefruit taste.
Chill, open, and drink – no mixing, no ice, and no glassware needed. That makes the Paloma in a can an easy option for beach days, pool parties, picnics, concerts, tailgates, or anywhere you want a Paloma drink without building one from scratch.
The canned Paloma is available in single-flavor 4-packs and in the Cuervo Canned Cocktails 8-can Sparkling Variety Pack (which also includes Classic Margarita, Strawberry Margarita, and Pink Lemonade). Use the Cuervo Store Locator to find a retailer near you, or order for delivery through DoorDash, Instacart, or Uber Eats.
What’s In A Paloma?
A classic Paloma recipe is simple. The core Paloma ingredients are:
- Tequila (blanco or reposado)
- Grapefruit soda
- Fresh lime juice
- A pinch of salt
- Ice
- Salt for the rim (optional)
The Cuervo Paloma uses 2 oz Cuervo Tradicional Reposado tequila, 4 oz grapefruit soda, the juice of half a lime, and a pinch of salt, served in a highball glass with an optional salt rim.
Some recipes swap grapefruit soda for fresh grapefruit juice, soda water, and a sweetener. Either way, the defining combination is tequila + grapefruit + lime + bubbles.
How Do You Make A Paloma Cocktail?
A classic Paloma doesn’t require a shaker or specialized equipment. You build it directly in the glass.
The Cuervo Paloma:
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip it in salt (if desired).
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add 2 oz Cuervo Tradicional Reposado and the juice of half a lime.
- Top with 4 oz grapefruit soda and a pinch of salt.
- Stir gently and serve.
Once you know the basic Paloma recipe, the cocktail is easy to customize. Cuervo has several Paloma recipes depending on what you’re in the mood for.
What Tequila Is Best For A Paloma?
Both blanco and reposado tequila work in a Paloma cocktail, but they produce different drinks.
Blanco tequila keeps the cocktail bright and crisp, letting the grapefruit and lime stand out. Cuervo Tradicional Blanco is a solid choice for a fresh or spicy Paloma.
Reposado tequila adds depth and a rounder body. Cuervo Tradicional Reposado is the tequila used in Cuervo’s classic Paloma recipe.
| If You Want… | Try… |
|---|---|
| A bright, crisp Paloma | Cuervo Tradicional Blanco |
| A richer, tequila-forward Paloma | Cuervo Tradicional Reposado |
| A Paloma with no mixing required | Cuervo Canned Cocktails Paloma |
What Are Some Different Ways To Make A Paloma?
The classic Paloma is a starting point. From there, you can take it spicier, fruitier, or fresher, depending on what flavor profile you’re looking for. Cuervo has Paloma recipes for each direction.
Classic Paloma → The original. The Cuervo Paloma combines Cuervo Tradicional Reposado, grapefruit soda, and fresh lime. Build it directly in a highball glass.
Fresh Paloma → Uses fresh grapefruit juice instead of soda. The Fresh Paloma pairs Cuervo Tradicional Cristalino with fresh grapefruit for a citrus-forward pour.
Spicy Paloma → Adds heat to the grapefruit-and-tequila base. The Spicy Paloma uses Cuervo Tradicional Blanco and works if you like your cocktails with a kick.
Pomegranate Paloma → A fruitier take that adds pomegranate to the classic grapefruit Paloma profile. Get the Pomegranate Paloma recipe.
Big Batch Paloma → Scales the Paloma into a pitcher serve for groups. The Big Batch Paloma combines tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime in a larger format so you’re not building drinks one at a time.
How Do You Make Palomas For A Party?
The simplest way to batch a cocktail is building the drink in a pitcher. Follow the Big Batch Paloma recipe, combining tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime shortly before serving so the soda keeps its carbonation. Set out ice-filled glasses, lime wedges, and salt so guests can pour and garnish their own.
If you’re hosting somewhere that doesn’t call for a full bar setup – a beach, a park, or a tailgate – fill a cooler with chilled Cuervo Canned Cocktails Paloma instead. Each canned Paloma is already mixed with real Cuervo tequila and ready to drink at 5.9% ABV.
Paloma vs. Margarita: What’s the Difference?
Both are tequila cocktails, but the primary citrus is different.
A Paloma is grapefruit-forward, typically combining tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime. It’s also usually sparkling.
A margarita is lime-forward, traditionally combining tequila, lime, and orange liqueur. It’s typically served still (on the rocks or frozen).
| Paloma | Margarita | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Spirit | Tequila | Tequila |
| Primary Citrus | Grapefruit | Lime |
| Key Ingredients | Tequila, grapefruit soda, lime | Tequila, lime, orange liqueur |
| Carbonation | Usually sparkling | Traditionally still |
| Typical Serve | Over ice in a highball | On the rocks or frozen |
| Flavor | Grapefruit-forward, bright | Lime-forward, tart |
If you like tequila but want something bubbly and lighter than a margarita, the Paloma cocktail is a good place to start.
