Easy Frozen Paloma Cocktail

This Frozen Paloma Cocktail is the perfect combination of citrusy, sweet, and tangy flavors with just the right amount of tequila for a little extra kick. It’s oh-so-refreshing, and a delicious way to elevate your springtime and summer celebrations. A Paloma pitcher recipe.

The classic Paloma is a traditional Mexican cocktail made with tequila and grapefruit soda, which has been gaining popularity in recent years. But have you ever tried a frozen Paloma? Similar to the traditional Paloma recipe but with the consistency of a frozen margarita, this cocktail is a simple and fresh alternative to other tequila drinks. It’s perfect for sipping poolside or any other occasion that calls for a frosty and delicious cocktail.

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

Simple Ingredients for Frozen Paloma Cocktail

• Lime juice | For a vibrant and authentic flavor use freshly squeezed lime juice.
• Grapefruit juice | Freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice brings tart and sweet notes to the light and crisp cocktail. Simple Truth bottled Grapefruit Juice is 100% real juice, so can be a nice alternative if you’re serving a crowd.
• Simple syrup | For this syrup I like to use organic, unbleached cane sugar, but you can use white sugar too. Try my cane sugar simple syrup recipe for your hot and cold drinks!
• Silver Tequila | 100% Agave Tequila, silver, use a nice tequila for this recipe since the ingredients are so simple.
• Ice | Always necessary for a frozen drink!
• Garnish | To garnish the drink, a sugar or salt rim, lime slices, and a grapefruit wedge complete it.

How to Make a Frozen Paloma Cocktail

Step 1 | Rim the Glass

First, pour some margarita salt or granulated sugar on a small plate. Next, run a freshly cut lime wedge around the rim of your glasses and dip it into the margarita salt or sugar. Give it a few light swirls for plenty of salt  (or sugar), then set it aside for later.

Step 2 | Juice the Fresh Fruits

Now, juice the delicious grapefruit, and keep the seeds out! Each grapefruit should yield 5-6 ounces of juice.

Juice the limes. An average lime yields about 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) of juice. To get the most juice out of your lime or lemon, check out this post.

Step 3 | Blend and Garnish

Finally, add grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, simple syrup and ice to a blender.

Blend for about 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and there are no more ice chunks.

Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with a grapefruit slice. Now, kick up your feet and enjoy the sweet citrus flavors!

Suppose grapefruit juice isn’t quite your jam. In that case, I have many other drink recipes, like this 4 Ingredient Margarita (with a secret ingredient) that can also be made into a slushy! Or transport yourself to a tropical paradise with my Watermelon Slush. Looking for another elegant addition to your holiday table? Try this beautiful French 75 St. Germain Cocktail.

Make it a Frozen Paloma Mocktail

This fabulous cocktail can easily be made into a refreshing mocktail. Simply omit the tequila and add a little extra ruby red grapefruit juice, grapefruit soda, or cocktail mixer if desired. Follow the remaining recipe steps for a delicious frozen drink everyone can enjoy! Try my Skinny Grapefruit Paloma Spritzer for a refreshing twist, using ginger beer.

Vodka Paloma

Not a fan of Tequila? I know there are some of you out there! Replace the silver tequila with your favorite vodka, or try grapefruit-infused vodka for an even more fruity flavor!

Variations & Substitutions

• Skip the Blender: For a traditional Paloma, mix 2 ounces tequila, 2 ounces fresh grapefruit juice, 2 ounces sparkling water, ½ ounce lime juice, and ¼ ounce simple syrup or agave nectar; stir to combine and pour into a salt or sugar-rimmed highball or margarita glass. Add ice to fill the glass and enjoy!
• Replace simple syrup with honey or agave instead if preferred.
• Garnish with a sprig of basil or rosemary for an herbaceous drink.
• Make it Sweeter: If the bitter grapefruit and tart lime are a little too strong for your taste, you can add liquid cane sugar to sweeten it up.
• Lighten it up: Use sugar-free simple syrup and make this cocktail even “skinnier.”
• Make it Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or jalapeno pepper juice, or rim the glass with a little Tajin or chili powder for a pleasant kick. 
• Make it Smoky: Use Mezcal instead of tequila.
• Additional Fruity Flavor: If you feel like something is missing, consider adding another fruit juice, like papaya or pomegranate, or a dash of homemade blueberry or cranberry simple syrup. Or use half grapefruit juice and half blood orange juice.
• Need Bubbles? Stir in some grapefruit mixer or other bubbly mixers, such as Club soda, Tonic water, or your favorite grapefruit soda.

Paloma Pitcher Recipe

Make a pitcher to share by doubling the recipe to serve 8! Or, simply divide the ingredient amounts in half to make two frozen Palomas.

• 24 oz ruby red grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed, is amazing!
• 16 oz silver tequila
• 8 oz lime juice
• 4 oz simple syrup
• 6 cups ice

Storage Tips

Freeze – If you plan on enjoying your frozen paloma in one sitting, simply place the lidded blender in the freezer. You may need to give it a quick whirl when you take it out so it pours more smoothly.

Freeze for Later – Keep any remaining beverage in a tightly-sealed, freezer-safe container (like a mason jar). Make sure to leave about 1 inch of space at the top of the container as it will expand when it freezes. When the mood strikes, pour the contents into a blender, give it a quick spin and enjoy! I always like to keep several glasses in the freezer for an extra icy cocktail!

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Appetizers to Serve with a Frozen Paloma Cocktail

Grapefruit pairs well with cheeses like goat cheese, nuts, and sweet marinades. Try serving your Ina Garten Frozen Paloma with my flavorful Whipped Goat Cheese with bacon and dates.

Browse through all of my delectable appetizer recipes!

Best Main Dishes to Serve with Grapefruit and Lime Cocktail

There are many delicious main dish recipes that complement the bitter-sweet grapefruit and lime drink. The smoky flavor of this Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl is always a crowd favorite. Serve with warm crispy tortilla chips and my homemade Guacamole and they’ll keep coming back for more!

Another perfect match for the Paloma pitcher recipe are these Mexican Barbacoa Tacos. Do we sense a theme here? Since the Paloma is originally a Mexican cocktail, any spicy food, like this Hatch Green Chile recipe or this Colorado Green Chile would be fantastic. 

More Fruit Forward Cocktails

• Tangerine and Thyme Gin and Tonic – Fresh Blood Orange and Tangerine juice, gin, thyme and tonic water.
• Blackberry Mule – Juicy, ripe blackberries, smokey bourbon and spicy ginger beer.
• Cherry Bourbon Smash – Fresh cherries muddled with rich bourbon, vanilla, maple syrup, lemon juice and a splash of club soda.
• Blueberry Gin Fizz – Fresh blueberry syrup, spicy ginger beer and gin all layered to create a beautiful ombre cocktail.

I hope you loved this Frozen Grapefruit Paloma recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!