Spicy Paloma

Introduction

The Spicy Paloma takes the zesty, refreshing character of the classic Paloma and elevates it with a bold kick of heat. It’s a sensational cocktail that delights both grapefruit lovers and fans of spicy flavors—perfect for parties, warm afternoons, or impressing your friends with a memorable signature drink.

A Vibrant Twist on the Classic Paloma

This spirited beverage balances the tartness of fresh grapefruit and lime, the subtle sweetness of agave, and the savory complexity of tequila—a splash of heat from muddled jalapeño or chili salt rim wakes up the senses. The Spicy Paloma is both thirst-quenching and invigorating, making it the ideal sipper for anyone seeking a lively drink with a little punch.

Choosing and Prepping Your Ingredients

Fresh citrus is key for the best Spicy Paloma. For perfectly uniform citrus wedges, a high-quality Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can save you time and ensure consistent results when prepping your limes and grapefruit.

For the tequila, opt for a good-quality blanco or reposado to let the flavors shine. When creating the chili salt rim, precision matters—use an Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display to measure your salt and spice blend, ensuring the perfect balance.

Building the Perfect Spicy Paloma

Start by rimming your glass with lime and dipping it in chili-laced salt. Use a few thin slices of jalapeño for just the right amount of heat, or adjust to taste if serving a crowd with varying spice preferences. Using a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, you can quickly blend the citrus juices and jalapeño for an even distribution of spice and flavor, perfect for larger batches.

Pack your glass with ice, pour in the citrus-spice mix, add tequila and a top-off of sparkling grapefruit soda. Give it a quick stir, garnish, and you’re ready to serve.

Serving, Garnishing, and Making It Party-Ready

Serve your Spicy Paloma in a tall tumbler or a stylish glass over plenty of ice. For easy outdoor entertaining or parties, transport your pre-mixed Paloma base using Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5—just add the soda and ice when ready to pour.

Garnish with fresh grapefruit or lime wheels and a jalapeño slice for an appealing finish. A reusable straw, like that from the Stanley Quencher ProTour Flip Straw Tumbler, ensures your guests can sip safely (and stylishly) even with floating chili slices.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Each Spicy Paloma contains roughly 160–180 calories, depending on your choice of soda and sweetener. This recipe makes about 2 standard servings; simply adjust measurements for larger batches.

Spicy Paloma Recap

With its tangy citrus base, a spark of spice, and subtle sweetness, the Spicy Paloma is sure to become your new go-to cocktail for any occasion. Its lively balance of flavors and photogenic garnishes make it as crowd-pleasing to look at as it is delicious to drink.

Ingredients

2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado)
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz agave syrup (or simple syrup)
1–2 slices fresh jalapeño (adjust to taste)
Grapefruit soda (chilled, to top)
Chili-salt, for rimming the glass
Ice
Grapefruit/lime wedges and additional jalapeño, for garnish

Instructions

1. Rim your glass with a slice of lime and dip it into a mix of chili powder and salt. For perfectly blended spice, measure your salt and chili powder with the Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale.
2. Add the jalapeño slices to a shaker and gently muddle to release their heat (optional for milder taste). Juice your citrus using the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1 Vegetable Chopper for quick and even cuts.
3. Combine tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave syrup, and muddled jalapeño in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well to chill.
4. Strain into the prepared glass filled with fresh ice. Top with grapefruit soda and gently stir to mix.
5. Garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge and a jalapeño slice. Serve with a straw from the Stanley Quencher ProTour Tumbler for an easy, festive sip.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 8 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes

Enjoy your spicy, zesty Paloma—an easy, knockout cocktail with beautifully balanced flavor and a vibrant kick.