Blood Orange Palomas

This easy Blood Orange Paloma Cocktail recipe is packed full of fresh fruit juices, flavored soda water, and tequila for a refreshing drink! This citrus-y cocktail is the perfect mix of sweet and acidic, with a delightfully fizzy finish. It’s a simple twist on a traditional Mexican cocktail, and it’s great for sunny days, Cinco de Mayo, or your next happy hour!

What’s in this Blood Orange Paloma Cocktail?

A traditional Paloma is made with tequila, lime, and grapefruit-flavored soda or juice. The only difference with this recipe is that we’re using blood orange soda and juice for a slightly different citrus flavor.

Tequila: Use a good-quality tequila for the best cocktail.
Blood Orange Juice: Freshly-squeezed juice will taste best!
Blood Orange Soda: A can of blood orange flavored soda or sparkling water adds fizzy carbonation, and more citrus flavor.
Lime Juice: A small amount of lime juice adds that fresh, bright, zesty flavor.
Grapefruit Juice: I like to keep grapefruit in the mix as well. Again, fresh-squeezed juice will taste best.

Pro Tip: Cut fresh blood oranges into thin slices and dip them into sea salt to garnish your Palomas.

overhead view of a blood orange slice floating on top of a Paloma cocktail

What is a Paloma cocktail?

A traditional Paloma cocktail is a tequila based drink. Tequila is mixed with grapefruit soda, served over ice with a lime slice and salt. It’s an easy to prepare and refreshing drink.

Why is it called a Paloma?

Paloma is Spanish for ‘dove’. Some believe that it is named after a popular folk song, ‘La Paloma’ (‘The Dove) which was composed in the 1860s.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Blood Orange Palomas over ice, with a salted blood orange slice for garnish if you like! These fizzy cocktails go well with your favorite Mexican foods, Cinco de Mayo appetizers, and other party foods. Serve them with tortilla chips and restaurant style salsa or white queso for a simple gathering with friends. These are one of my favorite summer cocktails because they’re so refreshing!

blood orange tequila cocktails in glasses

blood orange paloma drink in glass with sliced oranges

Blood Orange Paloma Recipe

Tequila, blood oranges, juice, and soda combine to make a delicious and easy citrus cocktail!

Course cocktail

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 0 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings people

Calories 184kcal

Author Becky Hardin

Ingredients

3 ounces Exotico Tequila I like the Reposado Tequila for this recipe
1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice 2 blood oranges
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 lime
1 cup grapefruit juice
11 ounces blood orange soda 1 can
blood orange slices and coarse sea salt for garnish

Instructions

Fill 2 large glasses with ice.
In a separate large glass or pitcher stir together all of the ingredients.

3 ounces Exotico Tequila, 1/2 cup fresh blood orange juice, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1 cup grapefruit juice, 11 ounces blood orange soda
Pour the palomas over the ice in the glasses.
Pour course sea salt over a small plate.
Slice a blood orange into thin slices and dip one side into the sea salt.

blood orange slices and coarse sea salt for garnish
Garnish the palomas with a salted blood orange slice.
Enjoy!