Hey, you. Yes, you with the slightly tired week and a fridge that definitely has grapefruit somewhere. Want a quick, vegan Paloma Cocktail that tastes like sunshine, not effort? I got you. This version keeps things totally egg-free (no weird foams unless you want them), simple, and ready in 5 minutes. Let’s make something bright, bubbly, and delightfully adult—without drama.
Quick Recipe Info
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Serves: 1
- Calories (approx): ~185 kcal per serving (full breakdown below)
- Vegan: Yes — absolutely no eggs. If you want a frothy top, I’ll show a vegan option below.
Why this Paloma Cocktail rocks (and why you’ll love it)
Ever tasted a drink that somehow nails sweet, bitter, tart, and refreshing at once? That’s the Paloma Cocktail for you. Tequila brings the backbone, grapefruit juice brings the drama, lime brings the attitude, and sparkling water brings the party. Want to impress without trying too hard? This is your move.
I swapped nothing essential from the classic—just made sure everything stays vegan. No eggs. No dairy. No judgement.
Ingredients (for 1 serving)
- 2 oz tequila (use a 100% agave tequila if you can — it tastes smoother).
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (strain the pulp if you prefer smooth).
- 2 oz sparkling water (or club soda).
- ½ oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime).
- ¼ oz agave nectar or simple syrup, adjust to taste.
- Coarse sea salt for the rim (optional but iconic).
- Ice (plenty).
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish.
Bold note: This recipe uses no eggs. If a recipe you saw earlier listed egg white for foam—ignore it, or use a vegan alternative I list below.
Equipment (yes, I counted so you don’t have to)
- Cocktail glass (highball or Collins works)
- Jigger or measuring tool (2 oz, ½ oz)
- Citrus squeezer (optional but helpful)
- Small plate for the salt rim
- Stirrer or bar spoon (no shaking required here unless you want to)
- Optional: Cocktail shaker if you prefer to mix cold first
Serves: 1 person as written. Want to scale? See the batch section.
Step-by-step Instructions for
- Salt the rim (optional). Run a grapefruit wedge around the glass rim and dip it into coarse sea salt. This step adds contrast—don’t skip unless you hate happiness.
- Add tequila and juices. Pour 2 oz tequila, 2 oz grapefruit juice, and ½ oz lime juice into the glass.
- Sweeten. Add ¼ oz agave nectar (adjust depending on how bitter the grapefruit is).
- Ice. Fill the glass with ice.
- Top with sparkling water. Pour 2 oz of sparkling water to finish.
- Stir gently. Mix until the drink chills and the agave distributes evenly.
- Garnish. Pop a grapefruit wedge on the rim and enjoy.
See? 5 minutes. You just made a Paloma Cocktail that behaves.
Want it frothy without eggs?
Some cocktails use egg white for foam. We skip eggs here—obviously—and I recommend aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) if you want foam. Use ½ oz aquafaba, dry-shake (no ice) with the tequila and juices first for 15 seconds, then add ice and shake again. Voilà: vegan froth, no chickens involved.
Tips & Tricks (little bartender secrets)
- Use fresh grapefruit juice. Bottled juice tastes flat. Fresh juice lifts the drink. Seriously, you’ll notice.
- Pick the right tequila. Blanco tequila works great for brightness; reposado gives warmth and oak. IMO, blanco fits the classic Paloma vibe.
- Adjust sweetness to your grapefruit. Grapefruit varies wildly in bitterness. Taste, then add agave.
- Sparkling water vs. soda: Use sparkling water for a clean, crisp Paloma. Use grapefruit soda for a sweeter, nostalgic fizz.
- Salt rim drama: If you want extra flavor, mix salt with a little lime zest. Fancy, but effective.
Variations (because variety equals joy)
Classic Vegan Paloma (this recipe)
Stick to the ingredients above and you’re golden.
Mocktail Paloma (no alcohol)
- Replace 2 oz tequila with 2 oz non-alcoholic agave spirit or extra sparkling water plus a splash of grapefruit soda.
- Keep other quantities the same. You get the vibe without the buzz.
Low-Calorie Paloma
- Use zero-calorie sweetener (liquid stevia) instead of agave, and keep the rest. You’ll cut calories substantially.
Spicy Paloma
- Muddle a few slices of jalapeño with the lime before adding other ingredients. Heat + citrus = chef’s kiss.
Smoky Paloma
- Swap tequila for mezcal (if you want smoke). This change flips the drink into something bold and dramatic.
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Batch recipe for parties (scales to 10 servings)
- Tequila: 20 oz (10 × 2 oz)
- Grapefruit juice: 20 oz
- Sparkling water: 20 oz (add just before serving so it stays fizzy)
- Lime juice: 5 oz (10 × ½ oz)
- Agave nectar: 2.5 oz (10 × ¼ oz)
- Ice, salt, garnishes: as needed
How to serve: Mix tequila, grapefruit, lime, and agave in a pitcher. Chill. When guests arrive, pour over ice and top each glass with 2 oz sparkling water. This method keeps fizz and prevents a flat pitcher. Genius, right?
Approx calories per serving (batch): same as single = ~185 kcal (see full breakdown).
Nutrition & calorie breakdown
I calculated each ingredient’s calorie contribution using common nutritional values and then added them up. Here’s the approx breakdown per serving:
- 2 oz tequila: 128 kcal (alcohol calories)
- 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice (~59 ml): ~23 kcal
- ½ oz lime juice (~15 ml): ~4 kcal
- ¼ oz agave nectar (~7.4 ml): ~30 kcal
- Sparkling water & ice: 0 kcal
Total: ~185 kcal per serving.
FYI: If you swap in grapefruit soda or add extra syrup, expect more calories. If you choose a lower-calorie sweetener, you can drop the total significantly.
Pairings — what to snack with your Paloma?
- Citrus-marinated shrimp (if you eat seafood) or zesty avocado tostadas (vegan).
- Spicy salsa & chips—the salt + acidity pairs perfectly.
- Light ceviche-style salads or grilled veggies keep things fresh.
Want something random and brilliant? Try it with a grapefruit-and-fennel salad. Trust me.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Paloma better than margarita?
A: Depends on your vibe. Paloma tastes lighter and fizzier; margarita feels citrusy and boozy. I love both, but I drink a Paloma when I want refreshment, not drama.
Q: Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?
A: You can, but you’ll lose brightness. Fresh juice sings. Use bottled only in a pinch.
Q: What tequila should I buy?
A: Look for 100% agave tequila. Blanco for brightness, reposado for warmth. Don’t buy cheap industrial tequila if you care about flavor.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Mix tequila, grapefruit, lime, and agave ahead. Keep chilled and add sparkling water when serving. Don’t pre-add the fizz unless you like flat drinks.
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My tiny personal story
I first tried a Paloma on a sunburnt rooftop where someone handed me a glass and said, “Close your eyes, drink.” I obeyed and felt my mood flip in two sips. Since then, I’ve made this drink at midnight for study breaks and at 3 PM on weekends. It never judges, it just refreshes. IMO, that’s a rare quality in both drinks and humans.
My Final thoughts
If you want a quick, refreshing, and genuinely vegan Paloma Cocktail, this recipe delivers. You’ll get bubbles, citrus, and the cheeky warmth of tequila—no eggs required. Try it for one, scale it for a group, or make a mocktail for a sober pal. Either way, you’ll end up with a bright drink that makes ordinary days feel special.
So—will you make one tonight? Or are you still procrastinating on squeezing that grapefruit? Either way, come back and tell me how you tweaked it. I love hearing about spicy or smoky experiments.
Cheers — and responsibly enjoy your vegan Paloma Cocktail!
Must Try Vegan Homemade Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Salt the rim (optional). Run a grapefruit wedge around the glass rim and dip it into coarse sea salt. This step adds contrast—don’t skip unless you hate happiness.
- Add tequila and juices. Pour 2 oz tequila, 2 oz grapefruit juice, and ½ oz lime juice into the glass.
- Sweeten. Add ¼ oz agave nectar (adjust depending on how bitter the grapefruit is).
- Ice. Fill the glass with ice.
- Top with sparkling water. Pour 2 oz of sparkling water to finish.
- Stir gently. Mix until the drink chills and the agave distributes evenly.
- Garnish. Pop a grapefruit wedge on the rim and enjoy.
- See? 5 minutes. You just made a Paloma Cocktail that behaves.
- Want it frothy without eggs?
- Some cocktails use egg white for foam. We skip eggs here—obviously—and I recommend aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) if you want foam. Use ½ oz aquafaba, dry-shake (no ice) with the tequila and juices first for 15 seconds, then add ice and shake again. Voilà: vegan froth, no chickens involved
Notes
Variations (because variety equals joy)
Classic Vegan Paloma (this recipe)
Stick to the ingredients above and you’re golden.Mocktail Paloma (no alcohol)
- Replace 2 oz tequila with 2 oz non-alcoholic agave spirit or extra sparkling water plus a splash of grapefruit soda.
- Keep other quantities the same. You get the vibe without the buzz.
Low-Calorie Paloma
- Use zero-calorie sweetener (liquid stevia) instead of agave, and keep the rest. You’ll cut calories substantially.
Spicy Paloma
- Muddle a few slices of jalapeño with the lime before adding other ingredients. Heat + citrus = chef’s kiss.
Smoky Paloma
- Swap tequila for mezcal (if you want smoke). This change flips the drink into something bold and dramatic.