A Paloma Mocktail is a refreshing twist on the classic Mexican Paloma cocktail. It's still the light and refreshing drink we all love but without the alcohol. With bright grapefruit, zesty lime, and sparkling fizz, it’s perfect for any time you want something light, refreshing and citrusy.

One of the best parts of summer used to be enjoying a refreshing cocktail on the patio outside in the early evening. Before it gets too hot. Before the bugs come out. A time to relax just before dinner or just after dinner. I don't want to miss those moments, but I really don't want all the alcohol either. I'm also not really a fan of the word mocktail either, but it fits. And a Paloma mocktail just fits too.
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Ingredients
- Non-alcoholic tequila
- Grapefruit sparkling water
- Lime juice
- Seltzer water
- Tajin
- Salt
- Agave (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for adding Tajin to the rim
Step 1: Add the Tajin or salt (or a mix) to a small plate. Step 2: Wet the rim of the drink glass by dunking it in a small bowl of water or under the kitchen faucet. Step 3: Dip the wet rim of the glass into the Tajin or salt and twirl around until the desired amount is on the rim.
Substitutions for Grapefruit Sparkling Water
- Fresh grapefruit juice plus seltzer - I love making this zero proof Paloma with fresh grapefruit juice and seltzer. Have you eaten fresh grapefruit straight off the tree? It's so sweet and insanely delicious, nothing like the ones in the grocery store. I got some from my neighbor a few months ago, and I swear I ate 4 the first day. They were that good! You can easily substitute 2 ounces of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and 4 (or more) ounces of seltzer for the grapefruit sparkling water
- Grapefruit soda - another option is to use a grapefruit soda like Squirt, diet Squirt, Jarrito grapefruit soda or Jarritos Zero Sugar grapefruit soda. Be mindful of the sugar contents for the non-diet sodas though.
- Mixer - if you want to imitate a sweetened bar or restaurant style Paloma, you can use a premade mixer like Q Mixer in Sparkling Grapefruit. It does have quite a lot of sugar and the color is weird, but it's another option.
Storage
Any unfinished drinks can be covered and stored in the refrigerator overnight.
Next Level Tips
- I recommend using a salt rim, a Tajin rim or a mixed Tajin and salt rim. A lot of non-alcoholic brands of spirits add citric acid to give it that 'bite' of regular alcohol. And salt helps balance the citric acid. This is important because citrus fruits also have citric acid and citrus flavored sparkling sodas often contain citric acid too. Tajin also gives the Paloma mocktail a little spice which also helps balance the citric acid. When the citric acid is more balanced, a drink tastes a lot better which reduces or eliminates the need to add sugar to balance the acidity. Agave syrup is listed as optional in this recipe. Personally, I don't add agave syrup to my Paloma mocktails, but I also don't like overly sweet drinks either. I'll save my sugar for my desserts, thank you.
- Just use water to wet the rim of the glass. Tajin and salt both stick just fine with water. You can use a lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass, but that can be sticky, messy and very lime-y. Water is perfect.
- You can use more or less grapefruit sparking water, but I find 6 ounces works great. Then you can make 2 Paloma mocktails for every can of grapefruit sparkling water.
- I love lime. A quick squeeze of lime adds a nice flavor. Start with a quick squeeze and work your way up to half a lime.
FAQ
Use your favorite brand! My favorite, so far, is Ritual brand zero proof tequila alternative. It tastes good, and it smells so much like regular tequila.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Paloma mocktail:
Paloma Mocktail
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon Tajin optional
- ½ tablespoon salt optional
- 6 ounces grapefruit sparkling water
- 2 ounces non-alcoholic tequila
- lime for a quick squeeze of juice* and garnish slice
- grapefruit for a quick squeeze of juice** and garnish slice
- 1 teaspoon agave optional
Instructions
- If using a Tajin rim, salt rim or a mixed Tajin and salt rim, add the Tajin and/or salt to a small plate. Wet the rim of the glass with water and then dip the rim of the glass into the Tajin or salt and twirl until the desired amount is on the rim of the glass.
- If using ice, add the desired amount of ice next.
- Next, add the non alcoholic tequila followed by the grapefruit sparking water. If using agave syrup, add it next and stir. Follow with a splash of grapefruit and lime juices and garnish with any desired lime or grapefruit slices.
Notes
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