Blood orange paloma

Name: Blood Orange Paloma Cocktail Recipe
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: Blanco Tequila; Blood Orange Sparkling Water; Chili Lime Seasoning Rim; Lime Wedge Garnish; Blood Orange Wedge Garnish

Tequila

Prep time: 10 mins

Author: The Bar Team

A glass of iced grapefruit drink garnished with a grapefruit slice sits on a wicker table next to a tangerine with leaves and a few scattered pistachios.

Do you love a bubbly, citrus-y tequila cocktail? The paloma may be right for you. While the classic paloma features grapefruit, you won’t want to miss this variation with blood orange. Read on to learn how to create this blood orange paloma recipe at home.

What you’ll need:

Ingredients:

Serves:

Blanco Tequila
1.5oz
Blood Orange Sparkling Water
(or Comparable)
6oz
Chili Lime Seasoning Rim
Lime Wedge Garnish
Blood Orange Wedge Garnish

Method

Step 1
Wet the rim of a margarita or rocks glass with lime juice or a lime wedge and dip into a dish with chili lime seasoning.
Step 2
Add ice to the rimmed glass and pour in blanco tequila.
Step 3
Top with blood orange sparkling water and garnish with blood orange and lime wedges.

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Kick your simple paloma up a notch with this blood orange paloma recipe, a refreshing bubbly, sweet and slightly spicy cocktail perfect for summer.

A glass of iced orange-colored drink garnished with a wedge of grapefruit sits on a coaster, with a wicker basket and pistachios nearby.

In this recipe

Don Julio

Don Julio Blanco Tequila

750ml

A clear, empty crystal tumbler glass with a thick, textured base is centered against a black background.

Nude

Caldera Double Old Fashioned Glass, Set of Four

A black cocktail shaker set with a jigger, cocktail shaker, bar spoon, and strainer displayed against a plain background.

Viski

Gunmetal Mixologist Barware Set

What is a paloma?

Light and airy, it’s no surprise this cocktail is named the paloma, or “dove” in Spanish. A favorite in Mexico, the classic paloma is made with tequila, lime and grapefruit soda. A cousin to the margarita, this classic Mexican cocktail is a summery drink known for its tangy lightness. Fresh grapefruit juice rather than grapefruit soda is also a popular choice. In this variation, grapefruit is replaced with blood orange.

Close-up of overlapping slices of blood oranges, showing their deep red and orange hues and textured surfaces.

What does a blood orange paloma drink taste like?

The paloma is built on the idea of a light, bubbly drink. This blood orange paloma recipe stays true to that initial vision, with some extra bursts of flavor.

Blanco tequila is clear, citrus-y and crisp. A high quality blanco tequila is key to this cocktail. We recommend the pure, premium taste of
Astral Blanco
,
Casamigos Blanco
or
Don Julio Blanco
.
Blood orange sparkling water features blood orange flavors, fruity aromas and plenty of bubbles.
Chili lime seasoning on the rim adds tart lime, salt and a little bit of spice, just as delicious as you might imagine fruta con chile y limón.

Variations to customize your blood orange paloma

With such simple ingredients, it’s easy to tweak the paloma into just the right drink for you! Try one or more of these variations.

Keep it classic

Want to stay true to the original paloma? Traditionally, this bubbly refreshment is grapefruit-based and made with just two ingredients — blanco tequila and grapefruit-flavored soda. Swap in flavored sodas or a sparkling water, and this drink tastes just as delicious with a slightly different flavor profile.

Keep it fresh

If you want the freshest taste, use fresh blood orange juice and sparkling water or club soda rather than blood orange sparkling water. This variation works for grapefruit variations, too, although you’ll want to add a dash of sweetness to get the sour taste of grapefruit.

Make your own chili lime

You don’t have to buy this iconic seasoning premade, and there are dozens of ways to create this tasty flavor combo. The simplest chili lime is composed of only salt, chile powder and lime. You can make your own lime powder by zesting limes, leaving the zest to dry for a day or two, then grinding with a pestle. Grind the lime with chili powder and salt and you have your own chili lime powder, ready for drinks and seasoning your food.

Switch up the spirits

The paloma is all about fresh, clean flavors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a version that suits your fancy. Mezcal is an agave-based liquor like tequila (in fact, tequila is a type of mezcal), but it features a smoky flavor. Swap out the blanco tequila for mezcal and experience a smoky blood orange cocktail. Try a high-quality smoky mezcal like Casamigos Mezcal.

If you don’t have blanco tequila on hand, you can also use . Reposado tequila is aged two to twelve months for a deeper, warmer flavor with hints of oak, vanilla and caramel. The taste will be a bit different than the crisp palate you might expect from a traditional paloma, but with blood orange and chili, this blend of deeper flavors will provide a satisfying experience.