This Paloma Cocktail is a slightly different twist on the traditional tequila paloma cocktail recipe. Naturally sweetened with fresh orange juice, lime, and grapefruit sparkling water, then topped with lime wedge or orange peel. No refined sugar added. A perfect light cocktail for holiday brunch or parties.
Why We Love This Cocktail!
Years ago, I crafted this easy paloma recipe, aiming for a “Lower Sugar and Lighter” cocktail on Cotter Crunch. And guess what? It’s still a favorite! I’ve made it three times in the past month and even transformed it into a Kombucha Mezcal Paloma Cocktail.
Whether it’s summer or winter, this paloma is perfect for any season. The refreshing taste and lightness make it ideal for warm summer days, while the citrusy kick adds a burst of flavor to chilly winter nights. I love adding orange to this drink instead of the traditional grapefruit. The orange brings a sweeter, mellower flavor that perfectly complements the tequila.
If you’re ever in my neighborhood, I’ll gladly make you one of these palomas, whether you prefer the mocktail or the tequila cocktail version. My door is always open!
Orange Paloma Cocktail Ingredients
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions for this cocktail recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details and nutrition information!
- Tequila blanco or reposado – choose your fave!
- Freshly squeezed orange juice – The classic paloma recipe uses fresh grapefruit juice but we opted for orange for a smoother taste.
- Fresh lime juice – Because lime is life!
- Agave nectar or simple syrup if you must (sweeten to your liking).
- Coarse sea salt or margarita salt, for that classic salted rim.
- Ice (lots of it!)
- Chilled sparkling water (grapefruit-flavored) for the perfect fizz. For a lighter paloma, we’ve swapped out grapefruit soda for grapefruit-flavored sparkling water. La Croix is a favorite!
- Orange, orange peel, dried orange slices, grapefruit wedge, or lime wedge to garnish and make it pretty!
Is Tequila Good For You?
Raise your hand if you have ever made mimosas, margaritas, or bloody marys at a party or brunch? I’m going to assume all of you have your hand raised. Good, because now I’m adding in a super simple and EASY light cocktail for you to try instead (or in addition to). I promise, you’ll like it.
Here’s why tequila might be good for you:
- Gut-Friendly: A small amount of quality tequila can help regulate fat absorption in your intestines and support beneficial bacteria. (source
- Cold Remedy: Traditionally, a shot of tequila is believed to help fight colds, thanks to its antibacterial properties.
- Pain Relief: Tequila can help dilate blood vessels and release tension, potentially reducing pain.
- Low Sugar Content: Compared to many other alcoholic beverages, tequila has a lower sugar content, making it a lighter option.
- Natural Ingredients: Made from the blue agave plant, tequila contains natural sugars and compounds that may offer health benefits.
But this post isn’t about encouraging you to drink tequila cocktails every day. Honestly, I’d prefer you enjoy apple cider vinegar drinks daily! The real message here is that you can celebrate and stay healthy by focusing on quality. Quality time, quality food, quality drinks, quality movement, and quality sleep. Emphasizing these aspects can make maintaining a balanced lifestyle a little easier, right?
How To Make An Orange Paloma Cocktail
- Prep Your Glass: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your favorite glass (highball glass or other favorite cocktail glass). Dip the rim in coarse sea salt or margarita salt. Set it aside and admire your work! This is optional but so tasty!
- Mix It Up: In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and agave nectar or simple syrup. Throw in some ice and shake it up until everything is chilled and mixed well.
- Assemble the Cocktail: Fill your salted glass with ice. Strain the shaken mixture into the glass over the ice. Look at that color!
- Fizz It Up: Top off your cocktail with chilled grapefruit-flavored sparkling water. Ahhh, the fizz!
- Garnish and Serve: Add a slice of orange, orange peel, grapefruit or lime for garnish. Feeling fancy? Add fresh edible flowers for that extra flair.
- Sip and Enjoy: Give it a gentle stir, take a sip, and let the refreshing magic of the Paloma transport you to your happy place. Cheers!
What to Serve With Paloma Cocktails
- Mojo Crockpot Pork Tacos
- Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Chipotle Peach Quinoa Salad
- Salsa Snack Bar with homemade tortilla chips
Orange Paloma Cocktail Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Get ready to sip on some serious sunshine with this refreshing Paloma cocktail! It’s the ultimate blend of tequila, fresh citrus, and a fizzy finish.
Ingredients
- 2–4 ounces of tequila (choose your favorite)
- 4 to 5 ounces of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 1–2 tablespoons of agave nectar (or simple syrup if you must.)
- Coarse sea salt or margarita salt (optional for rimming the glass)
- Ice
- Chilled sparkling water (grapefruit-flavored)
- Orange, orange peel, grapefruit, or lime slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of two highball or cocktail glasses. Dip the rims in coarse sea salt or margarita salt. Optional but tasty!
- In a cocktail shaker, mix the tequila, orange juice, lime juice, and agave nectar. Add ice and shake until well chilled.
- Fill the prepared glasses with ice (optional). Strain the shaken mixture into each glass.
- Top with chilled grapefruit-flavored sparkling water to the glass.
- Garnish with a slice of orange, orange peel, grapefruit or lime. Optionally, add fresh edible flowers.
- Stir gently and enjoy
Notes
Lower sugar sparkling water options – La Croix, Spindfrift, or Izze Sparkling grapefruit are all naturally sweetened with no added sugar. If you prefer no grapefruit flavor, then club soda also works!
Tips: This recipe makes 1-2 drinks but can easily be doubled. Adjust agave and tequila to your liking.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Category: drink
- Method: mix
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 12.6 g
- Sodium: 632 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.6 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Light Paloma cocktail with orange looks very attractive. with a very cool orange flavor and a stick. I like so much. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you liked it!! My pleasure:)
Cheers to this seriously good-looking cocktail!
Cheers my lovely friend!
Ummm, you know I love tequila, right? Well, now you do! This looks AMAZING and who cares that it’s 10AM, I’d drink one!
Do you think the Fed Ex driver would be willing to drive me some to Wisconsin? 😉 Merry Christmas <3 <3
I’ll pay him extra!
its 5’o clock somewhere right plus its holiday season, so may i have a pitcher of this please?
you know it! cheers!
A cocktail that is gut healthy – yes please! I’ve been drinking some spiked coffee today and loving it!
now that sounds like a good plan! i must try!
Who knew tequila was such a superbeverage?! This cocktail looks absolutely delicious and refreshing!
so is! cheers to you friend!
Yumm tequila!! This holiday bevy sounds absolutely fabulous, Lindsay! Merry Christmas girly! xo
Cheers to that! Happy holidays and Merry Christmas Lindsay!
Finally! A health excuse to drink tequila! Thanks Lindsay!!
Looooove this! I actually ate an orange yesterday because I was feeling scratchy. Best to add booze to kill all the germs! AND I have Lucie here now. You know there will be no sobriety.
Well how about that. I didn’t know tequila has gut-health benefits. Very cool!
Ahhh perfectly festive and bright!!!
If you need me, I’ll be counting down the days until I can drink this. #pregprobz
I’m in, she says, while raising first her right hand and then just as quickly her left. I want a holiday cocktail. Yes, yes please. I’m near desperate for one in fact. 🙂
Is it bad if I’m craving this now?! Feeling festive – love it!
I had no idea tequila had those health benefits! No wonder it’s my favorite 😉 Paloma, love, joy my friend! Merry Christmas xo.
Drink alcohol, kill all the bad germs, works for me! I might as well start now (at 630). I blame you 😀
blame me, i can take it. p.s it helps with pain (tequila) hint hint
Yes, please! I could use a drink (or 10) right now! Christmas is so fun, but so CRAZY with three little boys. 🙂
I’m loving citrus right now, too. I’ve been using it in EVERYTHING, and I love that the fruit actually tastes good at this time of year. Now maybe all of that Vitamin C can chase away the nasty colds going through this house? Snotty noses everywhere! 🙂
Have a great holiday, Lindsay!
Drinking for gut health? I’m in! My stomach is still extremely sensitive so drinking is something I’ve avoided.
and you know what’s best. It’s all so individual. But I found some real spirits to kind of be like kombucha, a little goes a long way. 😉