This non-alcoholic virgin paloma is a refreshing mocktail that combines fresh lime juice, fresh grapefruit soda and honey. This is a delicious as is, or you can spike it with tequila to make a traditional paloma!
What is a Paloma?
Many people often mistake the margarita for being Mexico’s national cocktail, but it’s actually a Paloma! A Paloma is an easy-to-make drink with a sweet and sour refreshing taste. It traditionally consists of grapefruit soda, tequila and lime juice with a few additional ingredients. It’s also known for its salt rim and lime wedge garnish. This adds a savory quality that fuses beautifully with the tartness of the grapefruit. This drink is a great choice for any day of the year, which is probably why its so popular!
What you need to make a virgin Paloma
The ingredients list for this recipe isn’t very complex. The key is freshness. Try to get fresh ingredients if you can and I promise you it will taste 10 times better!
- 1/4 cup grapefruit juice: For the best tasting drink, try to use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Trust me, you’ll notice a difference!
- 1 tsp honey: Balance the sour flavor of the grapefruit and lime with honey or your favorite sweetener!
- 1/2 cup club soda: I swap out the traditional use of grapefruit soda for a mixture of grapefruit juice and club soda. This way, you can add in sweetener on your own terms rather than just going with what the soda already had in it!
- 1 tbsp lime juice: Another delicious addition of tartness to the drink. Again, try to use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best taste possible!
how to make a virgin Paloma
This drink is as easy as 1-2-3. Seriously! It takes just three easy steps to achieve a delicious sweet-tart mocktail that super refreshing!
- First, we make a salt rim. This is optional, but it’s pretty standard to see a salt rim on a traditional paloma! To make the salt rim, see below.
- Then, freshly squeeze the grapefruit juice and stir with lime juice, club soda and honey in the glass.
- Add ice and top with more club soda. Add in more honey, to taste and stir!
- Garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge!
how to make a salt rim
Salting the rim of your glass is one fun to garnish your drinks. It is even more perfect for this virgin paloma recipe. Here’s a quick run-through of how to achieve that salty goodness while also making it look fantastic!
- Cut a piece of the grapefruit into a wedge.
- Next, run that grapefruit wedge around the rim of the glass until all the edges are coated in the juice.
- Pour some kosher salt into a dish that is wider that your glass.
- Tip the glass into the salt similar to how you use a cookie cutter. Twist it around until all the edges are coated with salt.
- If you want less salt and don’t want it on the insides of the cup, then just hold the glass at an angle so that only the outside edges touch the salt. This way you won’t get any on the inside.
Tips for success
- Adjust to Taste: These ingredient proportions aren’t set in stone. If you try it and you think it’s not sweet enough, add in some more honey. If you want it to be more tart, maybe add some more grapefruit juice and lime juice. Adjust the proportions and see what tastes best to you.
- Strength: If your paloma is too strong on the tartness, just let it sit so the ice melts and dilutes the drink. You can also just add more club soda to mellow out the taste.
- Customize the flavors! If you want to add some heat, drop a few fresh jalapeno slices into the grapefruit juice and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before you make your drink. This will add a heat to the drink’s base. The recipe is great as is but there’s so much you can do with it!
- Make it boozy! A paloma is traditionally made with tequila so if you would like to add alcohol to this drink, 2 oz of that is the way to go!
Non-Alcoholic Virgin Paloma
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: 1 Drink 1x
Description
This non-alcoholic virgin paloma is a refreshing mocktail that combines fresh lime juice, fresh grapefruit soda and honey. This is a delicious as is, or you can spike it with tequila to make a traditional paloma!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 cup club soda
- Make it Boozy : 2 oz tequila (optional)
Instructions
- Make a Salt Rim : Cut a piece of the grapefruit into a wedge. Run that grapefruit wedge around the rim of the glass until all the edges are coated in the juice. Pour some kosher salt into a dish that is wider than your glass. Tip the glass into the salt similar to how you use a cookie cutter. Twist it around until all the edges are coated with salt.
- Freshly squeeze the grapefruit juice, club soda and lime juice. Pour it into your glass with 1 tsp of honey and stir to combine. If you are making it alcoholic, add 2 oz tequila and use only 1/4 cup club soda instead of the 1/2 cup. Taste it and add more honey or sweetener to taste.
- Add ice and garnish with a grapefruit wedge or a lime wedge. If you have some fresh rosemary, you can add a sprig to the glass too!
Make sure to take a picture & tag @eatsbyramya on instagram to be featured!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cuisine: Mexican