Paloma Mocktail

Tart, effervescent, and just sweet enough, this Paloma mocktail features bold grapefruit and lime flavors, with an agave nectar-based simple syrup for a fun and fancy tasting mocktail.

I gravitate toward tequila cocktails, so it's no surprise that I'm partial to the often citrusy flavors in no-tequila mocktails, too. A margarita mocktail was a recent not-so-unexpected hit in my house, and this virgin Paloma quickly following suit.

While a Paloma is traditionally made with tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice, we're (obviously) omitting the tequila and swapping out soda for freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice for flavor and sparkling water for effervescence.

This Paloma mocktail can be enjoyed by the whole family and goes down easy any time of year!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Making a simple syrup using agave nectar means it's super easy to mix into drinks even after they've been poured. It also gives a nod to tequila, with which a Paloma is traditionally made.
• If not making a salt rim, adding the tiniest pinch of salt to the drink itself rounds out the tart and sweet flavors and brings a note that traditionally comes from tequila.
• Grapefruit is a more unique flavor for citrus cocktails and makes this Paloma mocktail feel like a special sipper.

Mocktail Ingredients

• Grapefruit Juice: The star of the show!
• Agave Simple Syrup: Comprised of 1:1 agave nectar and water, this is a fun twist on basic simple syrup for traditionally tequila-based drinks. Plus fully liquefying agave nectar in this way makes it combine perfectly.
• Lime Juice: Freshly-squeezed is best. One mocktail will use about half a lime's worth of juice.
• Club Soda: Or seltzer or sparkling water.
• Salt: Yes, in the drink itself. This is a good option if you prefer not to mess around with a salt rim.

Why Add Salt?

Mocktails run the risk of being boring when compared to other beverages. At their base they're usually fruit juice and carbonated water, you know? But being intentional with the ingredients can produce a nuanced and special-tasting drink. Case in point: non-alcoholic sangria.

Per Liquor.com, drinks with strong citrus notes can benefit by adding salt into the mix. It enhances tartness, balances sweetness, and gives a pop to carbonated beverages. Check, check, and check. While you can opt for a salt rim, you can also try adding a very small pinch of salt to the mocktail itself, too.

Easy Steps

1. Salt the rim (optional). Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a short glass (or use water). Shake some coarse salt onto a plate and gently roll the moistened rim in it to coat.

2. Pour. Add ice to a cocktail shaker and pour in the grapefruit juice, syrup, and lime juice. If not salting the rim, you can add a very tiny pinch of salt to the cocktail shaker.
3. Shake and stir. Firmly place the lid on the shaker and shake well. Strain into a glass over ice, then stir in club soda.

Tips and Tricks

• Garnish: Place a few thinly-sliced lime rounds into each Paloma mocktail and serve with a grapefruit wedge on the rim.
• Stir, don't shake: Don't add anything carbonated (like club soda) to a cocktail shaker. The pressure will build up tremendously when you shake it, likely leading to the lid flying off and liquid to spill everywhere.
• Easier juicing. Are your limes cold from the fridge and a little tough to juice? Place them whole in the microwave and zap for 10-15 seconds to make them easier to squeeze.

Make a Pitcher

This virgin Paloma mocktail makes a great pitcher drink for easier entertaining. Stir the citrus juices, syrup, and pinch of salt in a pitcher and refrigerate. Don't add the club soda until just before serving so it doesn't go flat, and add ice to individual glasses (not the pitcher) so the flavor doesn't get diluted when it melts.

Here are the quantities for 6 servings:

• 12 ounces grapefruit juice
• 6 ounces agave simple syrup
• 3 ounces lime juice
• Pinch of salt
• 18 ounces club soda

More Non-Alcoholic Beverages

If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating in the recipe card and/or a comment review below!