Watermelon Paloma

The Watermelon Paloma is one of the best summer cocktails! This tasty tequila drink is a juicy twist on the original Paloma, which uses tequila with grapefruit soda and lime. Adding watermelon juice to the mix makes it a little sweeter, with a tasty melon flavor that goes so well with the grapefruit!

Since watermelon is the best in the summertime, that's when this drink is the best! But, you can sometimes find bottled watermelon juice in the store, which can be almost as good.

If you like this drink, try out the delicious Watermelon Mojito with white rum. You'll also enjoy this decadent frozen Watermelon Margarita!

Ingredients

You'll just need a few ingredients for this simple drink!

• Watermelon juice - I used fresh watermelon juice
• Tequila - blanco is best to keep a vibrant color of the drink, but reposado also works.
• Lime juice
• Grapefruit soda - if you can get your hands on Jarritos grapefruit soda, it is what's normally used in Mexico, but any grapefruit soda will work!
• Fresh watermelon and lime slice for garnish

Substitutions

Here are some ways you can substitute the ingredients in this cocktail:

• Tequila - you can try using mezcal, which normally has a stronger smoky flavor than tequila. Or, try out a white rum, vodka or gin.
• Grapefruit soda - if you can't find grapefruit soda, try using fresh grapefruit juice along with some lemon-lime soda.
• Watermelon juice - although you'll get the best flavor with fresh juice, you can try finding bottled watermelon juice (cold-pressed if possible!)

Variations

To make this drink a little less sweet, you can try changing the grapefruit soda to a grapefruit seltzer instead. The watermelon will bring a lot of natural sweetness to the drink.

For a non-alcoholic version, try using a tequila substitute, like Lyre's Agave Blanco, in place of the hard stuff.

To jazz up the flavor even more, try adding some fresh mint to the cocktail shaker and garnish with some mint as well. The mint flavor goes so well with watermelon!

Equipment

To make this drink, you'll want to have a couple of basic bar tools, mainly a jigger, plus a cocktail shaker and strainer.

The Paloma is typically served in a lowball or old fashioned style glass, but a highball glass works too if you want to add a little more of the soda.

Also, a knife, cutting board and citrus juicer are great if you're using a fresh lime.

Note: If you need some new bar tools, the products from A Bar Above are my favorite! You can get 10% off using my discount code, LKDrinks. Their bar tools are super durable and dishwasher safe!

Instructions

Start out by adding the watermelon juice and lime juice to your cocktail shaker.

Then, add in the tequila, and fill the shaker with ice.

Seal up the cocktail shaker and shake well, about 15-20 good shakes.

Add fresh ice to your cocktail glass, and strain the liquid into the glass.

Top it off with the grapefruit soda.

Then, add the watermelon and lime garnishes if you're using them, and serve!

Hint: You can add salt to the rim if you want! Just wet the rim of the glass with water or a cut lime, and then dip the rim into a dish of salt.

Top tip

To make this drink pitcher-style, figure out how many servings you'll need. Then add the watermelon juice with the tequila and lime juice to a large pitcher along with ice and keep it in the refrigerator.

When you want to serve, pour the drink into each cup (around 5 ounces, assuming some of the ice has melted) and then top with freshly opened grapefruit soda. This way the carbonation will last longer! Cheers!