This Sweet & Spicy Jalapeño Paloma Cocktail is a quick and refreshing summer drink made with fresh grapefruit juice, tequila, jalapeno simple syrup, lime, and club or grapefruit soda! The homemade jalapeno simple syrup adds a nice extra kick of flavor and spice, muddle in some fresh jalapenos slices for extra spice.
This is a great cocktail to made with in-season citrus, control the tanginess and spice levels by adding in more or less lime juice and simple syrup. These can be batch made, perfect for serving a crowd or make into a mocktail, instructions on the recipe card below!
Find all of my simple cocktail and beverage recipes here for more inspiration! You might also like this pineapple vodka smash or my cherry vodka sour!
What Makes This Special
- Citrus Base: A mix of grapefruit juice (fresh or refrigerated), fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila give a refreshing balance of sweet, tart, and bitter.
- Spicy Kick: homemade jalapeno simple syrup adds a nice touch of sweet and spicy without overpowering the fresh grapefruit. Add in fresh jalapeno slices for a fun garnish.
- Customizable Heat: spice level can be adjusted by muddling in extra jalapeños and adding more of less simple syrup as desired.
- Great For Summer: make this cocktail (or mocktail) for warm summer days around the pool or BBQ and your crowd will be happy!
What Is A Paloma
A Paloma is a classic Mexican cocktail that’s known for being light, citrusy, and refreshing. It’s classically a mix of tequila, grapefruit, lime, simple syrup, and soda water. This version adds in a homemade jalapeno simple syrup for the perfect spice! Typically served over ice in a highball or Collins glass and finished with a salt or Tajín rim.
Key Ingredients
This paloma is made with just 6 simple ingredients, some you might have on hand! If there is a substitution for an ingredients, you’ll find it below. For the mocktail version, omit the tequila or use a spirit free option!
- Tequila: any desired tequila will work, Blanco tequila is recommended.
- Lime: fresh limes are a must here, you will use the juice and zest if desired.
- Grapefruit: I prefer fresh grapefruit juice but grapefruit soda can also be used.
- Jalapenos: fresh jalapenos are a must for the simple syrup use as many as you’d like.
- Sugar: granulated sugar is my recommendation for the simple syrup, it dissolves nicely.
- Club soda: use grapefruit soda, club soda, Fresca, or soda water.
How To Make The Paloma
Let’s talk a little about how to make the Sweet & Spicy Jalapeño Paloma Cocktail (with Mocktail) (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Make jalapeno simple syrup. Chill.
- Combine grapefruit, lime, tequila, and simple syrup.
- Pour into a glass with ice. Top with soda and garnish.
For the simple syrup:
- In a small saucepan combine sugar, water, and the sliced jalapeno. Heat over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until the sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool. Leftover simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to a month.
For the paloma:
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well to combine. Pour over a glass filled with ice, top with club soda and garnish with a fresh lime. Enjoy immediately.
- If desired, mix up some kosher salt, lime zest, and Tajin for an easy and beautiful way to rim the cocktail glass.
Tools I Recommend
- Citrus Juicer: I love this handheld citrus juicer for quickly getting all of the juice out of lemons and limes. It is easy to clean and doesn’t take up much space, so it can easily be stored in any drawer.
- Zester: another must have kitchen gadget, this is sleek and can easily be stored. Quickly zest citrus, ginger, or garlic.
- Cocktail glasses: I love this set of cocktail glasses for any type of homemade cocktail, they are sleek and elegant!
This refreshing grapefruit cocktail is so vibrant and beautiful. Fresh ruby grapefruit adds the perfect color and citrus flavor, I like to garnish my paloma with a big sprig of fresh mint, sliced jalapenos, and a lime wedge. These are fun served on a tray in the sun, your guests will love them. If you’re not a tequila fan, substitute with a botanical gin or vodka of choice!
More Refreshing Cocktails
If you like this refreshing drink, you’ll be a fan of these other simple cocktail recipes:
Recipe FAQs
Traditionally made of tequila and grapefruit juice/soda such as squirt of Fresca. This Spicy Paloma has a few variations like fresh grapefruit juice paired with club soda and a homemade jalapeno simple syrup.
Leftover jalapeno simple syrup can be used in several other cocktail such as – a spiced mojito, vodka smash, or homemade margaritas!
Both made with tequila, Palomas are bright, bubbly, and grapefruit-forward while Margaritas lean more towards bold and citrusy with that classic lime flavor.
This recipe makes a slightly sweet paloma with the perfect after taste of jalapeno, a mild spice. Adjust spice level by adding in more or less syrup and muddling in fresh jalapenos for more spice.
Yes! Grapefruit sodas like Jarritos or Squirt works great and adds natural sweetness and fizz.
Yes! double or triple the recipe as needed, combine all ingredients in a large pitcher except for the club soda. Mix together and chill until service. Once ready to serve, pour the prepared mixture into glasses with ice and top with fresh club soda or grapefruit soda so it is nice and bubbly.
Simple Jalapeño Paloma
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Jalapeño, seeded and sliced
For the Paloma:
- 2 oz. Tequila of choice
- 2 oz. Fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 oz. Club soda or grapefruit soda
- 1/2 oz. Fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp Jalapeño simple syrup
- Ice
- Coarse salt or tajin for rim, if desired
Instructions
For the simple syrup:
- In a small saucepan combine sugar, water, and the sliced jalapeno. Heat over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until the sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool. Leftover simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to a month.1/2 cup Water, 1/2 cup Granulated sugar, 1 Jalapeño
For the Paloma:
- In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well to combine. Pour over a glass filled with ice, top with club soda and garnish with a fresh lime. Enjoy immediately.2 oz. Tequila of choice , 2 oz. Fresh grapefruit juice, 2 oz. Club soda or grapefruit soda, 1/2 oz. Fresh lime juice, 1 tsp Jalapeño simple syrup, Ice, Coarse salt or tajin for rim
Notes
- Omit the tequila, use a spirit-free tequila or increase club soda/grapefruit soda and grapefruit juice to 3 ounces. Use 3/4 ounce lime juice and 1 1/2 tsp simple syrup.
Nutrition
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