Perfect Paloma Mocktails

Juicy, tart and perfectly delicious, these paloma mocktails are simple to make and can be ready in less than 5 minutes. I went through a LOT of grapefruit to get this recipe just right, and the result is a virgin paloma with the ideal balance of bitter, salty and sweet - enjoy!

this recipe

Why'll you'll love this recipe

You'll love these paloma mocktails because:

• They can be made in minutes: with just 4 simple ingredients and a quick shake, your palomas will be ready in no time.
• The recipe can be adapted to make a pitcher: the only thing that's better than a paloma for one is a paloma for friends! This recipe can be easily adapted to make for a crowd...although it's so good you might not want to share.
• It's perfectly Instagrammable: with it's gorgeous peachy color, green garnish and salty rim, your mocktails don't just taste great, they look great too!

Ingredients - what you need

• Grapefruit juice: when it comes to citrus, fresh is always best. Having said that, I do understand citrus can be expensive, so if bottled is all you have access to, go for it! They'll still be delicious.
• Lime juice: again, fresh citrus is everything when it comes to making the best mocktails, so use fresh if you can. If you have to choose between fresh grapefruit juice or fresh lime, choose fresh lime every time. If you do choose bottled lime juice, look for one without added sugar. Lime juice is supposed to be tart, not sweet!
• Maple syrup (or replacement): I love using maple syrup as a natural way to sweeten my mocktails, but I understand it's not for everyone. Other options include honey syrup, monk fruit sweetener, simple syrup or your choice of sweetener.
• Apple cider vinegar: did you know that vinegar is a by-product of alcohol? This is why I love using apple cider vinegar in my mocktails. It helps to replicate that 'bite' that often goes missing when we remove alcohol from a drink. Another option is using a non-alcoholic tequila. Pst: if you love all things apple, be sure to check out my apple cider mocktails too!
• Pinch of salt: I like using sea salt or kosher salt. Avoid using regular table salt if you can, it's just not the same.

Equipment

You don't need a lot of equipment to make your paloma mocktails. Just have on hand:

• Something to shake. Of course this is where a shaker comes in handy, but you can also use everyday household items such as a drink bottle or mason jar. Anything with a tight lid will work.
• Something to measure. This is where a jigger is of use...it's like a mini measuring cup for mocktails to help get the quantities just right! If you don't have one, measuring spoons are a perfect replacement.

Expert tips and tricks

• To make a batch virgin paloma: in the recipe card below, tap on the '1' next to 'Servings' and drag the circle across until you land on your desired number of servings. This will adjust the ingredients and tell you how much of each ingredient you need. To assemble, add all ingredients (except the soda) to your pitcher or punch bowl and stir gently. When you're ready to serve, add the soda and stir gently to combine.
• It's your choice whether you use non-alcoholic tequila or apple cider vinegar. Both are great, but the alcohol-free tequila will obviously make this much closer to the classic.
• Love a spicy paloma mocktail? During step 1, add 2 thin slices of jalapeño, then muddle gently before moving on to Step 2. I find jalapeño particularly effective in virgin palomas when you're not using a tequila replacement - it will give your mocktail a little heat!

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I hope you love these easy paloma mocktails as much as I do!