Description
Blood Orange Palomas are a refreshing, simple-to-make, and refined-sugar-free cocktail perfect for winter citrus season! They’re sweetened naturally with agave nectar and bursting with fresh citrus: grapefruit juice, vibrant blood orange juice, and lime juice, combined with tequila and topped with fizzy club soda. Winter cocktail goals!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cocktail (per serving):
- 2 ounces Tequila* (Blanco or Reposado, 100% agave recommended)
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- 1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce agave nectar (adjust to taste)
- Splash of club soda, chilled
For Serving/Rim:
- Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt), for rimming the glass (optional)
- Lime wedge (for rimming and garnish)
- Thinly sliced blood orange, grapefruit, and/or lime wheels, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Glass (Optional): If desired, rim your serving glass. Pour coarse margarita salt onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass to moisten it. Dip the moistened rim into the salt, rotating the glass to coat evenly.
- Fill Glass with Ice: Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Combine Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the tequila, blood orange juice, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar to the shaker.
- Shake: Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain and Top: Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared, ice-filled glass. Top with a splash or two of chilled club soda.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir gently once. Garnish with a slice of blood orange, grapefruit, and/or lime, if desired. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Tequila: Use a good quality 100% agave tequila. Blanco (silver) offers a cleaner taste, while Reposado adds a slight oaky complexity.
- Fresh Juice: Freshly squeezed citrus juices are key to the vibrant flavor of this cocktail. Blood oranges are typically available in winter months; regular oranges can be substituted, though the color will differ.
- Sweetness: Adjust the amount of agave nectar based on the sweetness of your fruit juices and your personal preference. Simple syrup can be substituted.
- Fizz: Club soda adds neutral bubbles. For a more traditional Paloma (though less blood orange focused), grapefruit soda (like Jarritos) can be used instead of club soda, in which case you might reduce or omit the agave.
- Multiplying: This recipe is easily multiplied to make a pitcher for a crowd. Combine the tequila and juices ahead of time, chill, and add ice and club soda just before serving.