Paloma mocktail

Ultimate Paloma Mocktail

(0 ratings)

A refreshing, citrus-forward non-alcoholic version of the classic Mexican cocktail featuring fresh grapefruit and lime juices with club soda.

SUGGESTED GLASSWARE

Highball Glass

Keep screen on?

Recipe

1 cocktail (250ml)
  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice 
    60 ml
  • Lime Juice 
    30 ml
  • Agave Syrup 
    15 ml
  • Apple Cider Vinegar 
    12.5 ml
  • Club Soda 
    to top
  • Salt 
    1 pinch
  • Grapefruit 
    0.5 wheel
  • Lime 
    1 wheel
Recipe credit: Traditional Mexican inspired, adapted for non-alcoholic preparation

Instructions

Step

Prepare the glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass, then dipping the rim in coarse sea salt to create an even salt rim.

Step

In a cocktail shaker, combine 60ml fresh grapefruit juice, 30ml fresh lime juice, 15ml agave syrup, and a pinch of salt. Fill the shaker with ice.

Step

Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and properly integrated.

Step

Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice cubes and strain the shaken mixture over the ice.

Step

Gently top with 120ml sparkling water, stirring once very lightly to combine without destroying carbonation.

Step

Garnish with fresh grapefruit and lime wheel slices. Serve immediately while fizz is at its peak.

Equipment

Shaker
Jigger
Citrus juicer
Fine Mesh Strainer

Description

This exceptional Paloma mocktail captures all the bright, tangy complexity of the classic tequila-based cocktail without the alcohol. Featuring a perfect balance of fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave sweetener, and sparkling water, it delivers the same refreshing experience that makes the Paloma one of Mexico’s most beloved drinks. The key lies in the precise 2:1 grapefruit-to-lime ratio and proper technique that integrates all flavors while maintaining effervescence.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (250ml)
Calories
85
ABV
0 %
Alcohol
0 g
Carbs
21 g
Carbs from Sugar
18 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
1 g
Sodium
350 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.

Tips & Notes

  • Always use freshly squeezed citrus juices rather than bottled for the brightest, most vibrant flavor profile - one medium grapefruit typically yields about 60ml of juice.

  • Start with less agave syrup (10ml) and adjust upward to taste, as grapefruit sweetness varies significantly by variety and season.

  • Shake the base mixture vigorously but never shake after adding sparkling water - this will kill the carbonation that makes the drink refreshing.

  • The salt rim is crucial for authentic flavor - it enhances the citrus notes without making the drink taste salty when applied properly.

  • For batch preparation, mix all ingredients except sparkling water up to 4 hours ahead, then add the soda just before serving to maintain effervescence.

The ACV adds a nice tangy complexity and a subtle fermented depth that mimics some of the sharpness you’d get from tequila. It also gives the drink a bit of that “bite” that makes it feel more sophisticated. Start with 0.25 oz and adjust to taste – some people like it more pronounced at 0.5 oz.

Yes, you can stir the grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup and salt vigorously in the serving glass with ice until well combined, then top with sparkling water. A mason jar with a lid also works well as a shaker substitute.

Maple syrup works excellently and adds a subtle complexity, while honey provides floral notes. Simple syrup is neutral but effective. For low-calorie options, try stevia or sugar-free syrups, using about half the amount as they’re typically sweeter.

The drink is best consumed immediately after preparation while the carbonation is at its peak. The citrus base (without sparkling water) can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead and stored refrigerated, then topped with fresh sparkling water when ready to serve.

Absolutely! Increase the agave syrup to 20-25ml, or substitute part of the sparkling water with grapefruit soda for added sweetness and stronger grapefruit flavor. You can also use pink grapefruit juice instead of white for natural sweetness.

Related Fruity, Sour, Tropical cocktails

Donga Punch

A classic tiki cocktail from Don the Beachcomber featuring aged rhum agricole and the signature "Don's Mix" of grapefruit juice and cinnamon syrup.

Donga punch

Fresh Paloma

Tequila, fresh grapefruit and lime, a touch of agave, topped with grapefruit soda in a salt-rimmed highball with ice.

Fresh paloma

Jungle Bird

A classic tropical cocktail that uniquely combines the bitterness of Campari with the richness of dark rum and the freshness of pineapple and lime. It’s refreshing, complex, and a guaranteed way to surprise your palate with something more adventurous than the usual rum drink.

Jungle bird

Strawberry Daiquiri

A vibrant frozen cocktail blending fresh strawberries, quality white rum, and fresh lime juice for the perfect balance of fruity sweetness and tangy refreshment.

Strawberry daiquiri

Mai Tai

The original 1944 Trader Vic's Mai Tai - a perfectly balanced tiki cocktail featuring aged rum, fresh lime, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup over crushed ice.

Mai tai

Hemingway Special

A dry, rum-forward variation of the classic Daiquiri with grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur, created for Ernest Hemingway at El Floridita bar in Havana.

Hemingway special

Leave the first comment

Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

Okay

Recipe notes

Create a free account 

My Bar, saved forever
Without an account, your ingredients are only stored in cookies and can disappear. With an account, your bar is saved securely – so you can always see which recipes you can craft (or almost craft) based on what you have at home.

Rate recipes
Share your opinion and help other cocktail lovers discover the best recipes.

Favourites at your fingertips
Save your go-to cocktails for quick access right from your account page.

Personal notes
Add your own tweaks, tips, or reminders to any recipe – perfect if you like to experiment or record what worked best.

Exclusive newsletter
Opt-in for insights into mixology, cocktail theory, and home bartending – plus stay updated when new recipes are added.

Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • Fresh Grapefruit Juice
    60 ml
  • Lime Juice
    30 ml
  • Agave Syrup
    15 ml
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
    12.5 ml
  • Club Soda
    to top
  • Salt
    1 pinch
  • Grapefruit
    0.5 wheel
  • Lime
    1 wheel

Method

  1. Prepare the glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass, then dipping the rim in coarse sea salt to create an even salt rim.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 60ml fresh grapefruit juice, 30ml fresh lime juice, 15ml agave syrup, and a pinch of salt. Fill the shaker with ice.
  3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and properly integrated.
  4. Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice cubes and strain the shaken mixture over the ice.
  5. Gently top with 120ml sparkling water, stirring once very lightly to combine without destroying carbonation.
  6. Garnish with fresh grapefruit and lime wheel slices. Serve immediately while fizz is at its peak.