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Fizzy, fresh and made with only two ingredients, this super simple paloma mocktail is exactly what your al fresco dining needs this summer. It's a refreshing drink with a crisp citrus taste, it's the perfect non-alcoholic alternative to classic palomas.
I have been in lemonade-and-sweet-tea mode all summer long. It may be a southern thing to have those as necessities in the fridge, but I've been serving guests variations with rave reviews.
I already have a paloma recipe on the blog, but this mocktail is a sweet-tart twist that the whole family can enjoy. A non-alcoholic version of a virgin paloma that is super easy to make and a crowd pleaser? It must go on the blog.
All you need is your favorite lemonade and grapefruit soda and you have a bubbly, fruity pink grapefruit lemonade that is one of the most popular drinks of the summer!
Jump to:
What is a paloma?
Traditional Palomas (pronounced pah-low-ma) are refreshing citrus cocktails from Mexico. It tastes bright and fizzy, and using your own sweeteners (sugar, simple syrup, or mexican agave syrup) help make the drink as sweet or as tart as you want.
The name paloma translates to 'dove' and the drink La Paloma seems to have a vague history that no one can pinpoint.
The traditional paloma recipe mixes crisp blanco tequila with grapefruit flavored soda, originally Squirt soda, but it's hard to pinpoint when it was created exactly (sometime after the 1940's) and by whom. All we know is that it originated in Mexico and it's freaking delish.
Ingredients.
Lemonade. I like my own lemonade recipe, where I can make it as tart or as sweet as I want with natural ingredients, but store bought is fine.
Pink Grapefruit Soda. I really like fever-tree's sparkling pink grapefruit mixer for this recipe. Any grapefruit soda works, but the pink color just adds something extra, don't you think?
Variations.
Fresh Grapefruit Juice. Get those natural ingredients and flavors in, honey.
Fresh Lime Juice or Lemon Juice instead of lemonade. If you're only making a cup for yourself, a little fresh fruit juice would totally work.
A Pinch of Sea Salt. A hint of sea salt really adds to this, especially if you're adding a little mezcal or tequila to make a paloma cocktail variation.
Club Soda. If you're using the grapefruit juice, definitely add club soda to keep it bubbly.
Ginger Beer. A personal fave as a mixer in almost anything! Spicy, fizzy, and so tasty!
Pro Tips
Rub the rim of a glass with a lime wedge or grapefruit wedge and rim with sea salt or sugar mixed with taj́in for a more 'adult' beverage.
Garnish with fresh rosemary or thyme for an herbaceous hint of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The difference mostly lies in the favors. While a margarita is a mix of sweet and sour, a Paloma is full of tart grapefruit flavor.
You can make this recipe the day before if you have a pitcher with an airtight lid, otherwise you need to add the bubbly soda right before serving so it doesn't lose its fizz.
More Non-Alcoholic Drinks
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Paloma Lemonade Mocktail
Ingredients
- 6 cups lemonade
- 2 cups sparkling pink grapefruit soda
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large serving pitcher, mix together the lemonade and grapefruit soda. Stir and put into the fridge to chill or immediately serve.
- Serve over ice.
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