Recipes
How to Make a Paloma (The Easy 4-Ingredient Recipe)
September 17, 2026 · 4 min read
The margarita gets the fame, but ask anyone in Mexico what they actually order and the answer is often a Paloma. It is bright, bubbly, a little salty, and built for a hot San Antonio afternoon. Best of all, it takes four ingredients and about five minutes. Here is how we make it at Full Proof Liquor, plus the tequila that makes it sing.
What is a Paloma?
A Paloma is tequila lengthened with grapefruit soda and fresh lime over ice, with a salted rim. Where a margarita leans tart and sweet, the Paloma is crisp, fizzy, and endlessly easy to drink. It is the definition of a patio pour.
What you need
Four ingredients, that is it:
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 4 oz grapefruit soda (Squirt, Jarritos Toronja, or Fresca)
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- A pinch of salt, plus salt for the rim
- Grapefruit or lime wedge to garnish
How to make it
Five easy steps:
- Salt the rim of a tall glass using a lime wedge.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add the tequila and fresh lime juice.
- Top with grapefruit soda and a small pinch of salt.
- Stir gently and garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge.
Which tequila to use
A crisp blanco (silver) tequila is the move. It keeps the drink bright and lets the grapefruit shine. Reposado works too if you like a rounder, slightly oaky note. You do not need to spend a fortune here, a solid mixing blanco is perfect.
Want to level it up? Swap the grapefruit soda for fresh grapefruit juice, a splash of soda water, and a bar spoon of agave.
Where to get everything in San Antonio
We carry a full wall of blanco and reposado tequila across our three San Antonio stores, from everyday mixers to premium sipping bottles. Grab what you need in store, or get it delivered. Salud. Please drink responsibly, 21 and up.
Get the bottles delivered
Same-day delivery and curbside pickup from all three stores.
Shop the ingredients
Find the bottles in this post on our shelves.