This sparkling grapefruit Paloma mocktail is bright, bubbly, and completely non-alcoholic! Unlike most versions made with club soda, mine gets an extra kick of flavor from spicy ginger beer. With fresh citrus and a fizzy finish, it’s refreshingly simple—and ready in just 5 minutes.
Quick Skinny Paloma Recipe
A good margarita is my weakness—but not the healthiest choice, right? This mocktail is my go-to when craving something indulgent without the fuss (or added sugar). Inspired by the Paloma, one of Mexico’s most popular drinks, this version is a refreshing, bubbly sip for a hot day (with zero guilt attached).
You can whip it up in minutes, and the taste? Like you’re sipping a fancy cocktail—minus the calories and the next-day regret. I love serving a pitcher of this at baby showers, bridal brunches, or any daytime gathering where you want to keep it classy. And if you are in the mood for the boozy version, my Frozen Paloma Cocktail is a fan favorite for a reason!
The Quick Dish on the Paloma Mocktail
- Prep: 5 minutes—just mix and sip!
- Cuisine Inspiration: Cinco de Mayo meets springtime luncheon
- Primary Method: Dip, shake, swirl, and sip!
- Dietary Info: Non-alcoholic, low-calorie, gluten-free
- Key Flavor: Bright citrus with a zesty ginger pop
- Skill Level: Easy peasy—bartender skills not required!
Why This Lovely Sip Belongs at Your Next Gathering
- Crisp & Balanced – The zing of grapefruit and lime pairs beautifully with a touch of sweetness, making every sip feel light and refreshing.
- Fresh Flavor – Fresh-squeezed juice gives this mocktail a bright, natural taste you just can’t get from bottled.
- Pretty & Party-Ready – Its soft pink hue makes it a stunning choice for spring celebrations like Easter, Mother’s Day, or any shower. I used a sugared rim for a hint of sparkle, but a salted rim adds a fun, sassy twist too.
- Easy to Make Ahead – Great for batching and keeping chilled before serving—perfect for easy hosting!
Paloma Mocktail Ingredients
- Lime: Just one lime wedge is all you need to help the sugar stick to the rim and boost the flavor of this simple recipe.
- Ice: Have some crushed ice handy to keep the drink chilled for a refreshing experience.
- Grapefruit juice: Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice brings tart and sweet notes to the light and crisp mocktail.
- Ginger beer: A splash of ginger beer gives the recipe a subtle spice and lots of fizzy bubbles! If preferred, use sparkling water, sugar-free soda, your favorite mixer or club soda instead.
- Garnish: To garnish the drink, have some sugar (or salt if preferred) for rimming the glass, lime slices, slice of grapefruit, and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
- Non-Alcoholic Tequila: Non-alcoholic spirits have come a long way—if you’re craving that tequila flavor without the booze, it’s worth giving one a try!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make a Non-Alcoholic Grapefruit Lime Spritzer
Step 1 – Rim the Glass
Start by rimming your glass with sugar. Pour granulated sugar onto a small plate, then run a fresh lime wedge around the rim to moisten it. Turn the glass upside down and dip it into the sugar, giving it a gentle swirl to coat. Set aside until ready to serve.
Step 2 – Juice the Citrus
Now, juice the delicious grapefruit, and keep the seeds out!
Using the same lime wedge you used to wet the rim, squeeze the rest of the juice into the empty glass.
Step 3 – Mix and Garnish
Finally, toss in the ice cubes, pour the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and add fizzy ginger beer. Give it a stir if you want to, then garnish with a lime and/or grapefruit slice and a sprig of rosemary. 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 non-alcoholic drink recipes, like this Strawberry Refresher with sweet strawberry syrup and zippy lime juice.
Or transport yourself to a tropical paradise with my Hibiscus Dark and Stormy with or without rum. And finally, this vibrant Blueberry Limeade Spritzer.
Variations & Substitutions
- Skinny Mocktail: This mocktail is already low in calories, but go a step further and use a sugar-free Ginger Beer for the perfect taste!
- Grapefruit Twist: Swap the rosemary for basil and add grapefruit soda in place of the ginger beer and grapefruit juice, and you have a unique take on the same grapefruit flavor- like this Grapefruit Basil Smash, with or without vodka.
- Sweetness Tip: If the grapefruit or ginger beer is too bold, add a splash of agave, maple syrup, liquid cane sugar, or even rosemary simple syrup. For best results, add the grapefruit, lime, and sweetener to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds. This chills the mixture and blends the sweetener evenly. Pour into an ice-filled glass and top with ginger beer.
- More Fruity Flavor: Add another fruit juice, like papaya or pomegranate, or a dash of homemade blueberry or cranberry simple syrup.
- Mixer Variety: If you are not a fan of spicy ginger beer, try your favorite lemon-lime beverage, a grapefruit mixer or soda, soda water (less sweet) or tonic water would be lovely!
- Spicy Paloma Mocktail: Replace the agave syrup with jalapeno simple syrup, rim the glass with Tajin or salt and enjoy!
Grapefruit Mocktail by the Pitcher
Follow these rough measurements to serve 4-6 people
- 12 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 12 ounces ginger beer << my favorite brand!
- 1 lime juiced
- 6 lime wedges and grapefruit wedges for garnish
- 6 rosemary sprigs for serving
- Ice for glasses
- Sugar for rims
Combine ginger beer, grapefruit juice, and lime in a pitcher; when ready to serve, top with ginger beer and serve in sugar-rimmed glasses, garnishing with lime or grapefruit wedges and a rosemary sprig.
Recommended Tools
- Coupe Glass – Use a variety of heights and glasses for serving this gorgeous non-alcoholic beverage.
- Cocktail Picks for garnish
- Ginger Beer, this is my favorite brand for this drink.
Skinny Paloma Mocktail FAQs
Grapefruits have several health benefits. Packed with vitamins C and A. They can also help improve heart health, gut health, and cholesterol levels. Drinking freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is much healthier than choosing store-bought.
Cocktails and mocktails are both festive drinks made with juices, sodas, or syrups. The key difference? Cocktails contain alcohol, while mocktails don’t. Also called virgin or alcohol-free cocktails, mocktails often mimic classic drinks—like a pina colada without the rum.
Traditionally, this classic Mexican cocktail is made with tequila, but it also pairs beautifully with botanical gin or a lime or grapefruit-infused vodka.
You don’t need a fancy juicer to get the job done. Just roll the grapefruit on the counter with firm pressure to loosen it up, then slice it in half. Use a wooden spoon or fork to press into the flesh and release the juice—easy and effective!
Storage Tips for a Non-Alcoholic Paloma
Refrigerate: Make a batch and chill for the week—just add fresh ginger beer when serving.
Make Ahead: Store juice and ginger beer separately for quick mixing anytime.
Freeze: Freeze leftovers in a jar or bag. Blend when ready for a frosty treat—top with ginger beer if you like it bubbly!
Enjoy these mocktails for brunch with this delectable Copycat Honeybaked Ham, Quiche Florentine or this Hashbrown Quiche.
The sky is the limit for what you can make to compliment this bright and refreshing mocktail, be sure to also try my personal favorite; Charcuterie Cups.
Our favorite cocktails and mocktail recipes
- Elderflower French 75
- Skinny Margarita
I hope you loved this Virgin Paloma mocktail — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces grapefruit juice freshed squeezed is best
- ¼ medium lime use to wet rim for sugar and squeeze into glass
- ice crushed or cubed
- 3 ounces ginger beer
Optional
- 2 tablespoons sugar for rimming glasses, or use salt or Tajin if preferred
- ½ – 1 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup
- 1 lime wheel or wedge for garnish
- grapefruit slice for garnish
- sprig fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Pour some granulated sugar on a small plate, sweeping a wedge of lime around the rim of the glass to wet it.Turn the glass upside down and place it on the plate of sugar to coat the rim of the glass, giving it a few light swirls to get plenty of sugar. Set aside.2 tablespoons sugar
- Juice the grapefruit, removing any seeds, straining if desired. Using the same lime wedge you used to wet the rim, squeeze the rest of it into the glass.3 ounces grapefruit juice, ¼ medium lime, ice
- Add ice, grapefruit juice, and ginger beer. Garnish with fresh lime and/or fresh rosemary and a half wheel of fresh grapefruit if desired.3 ounces ginger beer, 1 lime, grapefruit, sprig fresh rosemary
Notes
- 12 ounces fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
- 12 ounces ginger beer << my favorite brand!
- 1 lime juiced
- 6 lime wedges and grapefruit wedges for garnish
- 6 rosemary sprigs for serving
- Ice for glasses
- Sugar for rims
- The amounts of grapefruit juice and ginger beer may change according to the size of the glass that you use, keep the proportions to use equal parts.
- Feel free to adjust the proportions to your taste– more ginger beer for more bite, more grapefruit juice for more citrus flavor.
- Using a hand juicer or citrus press makes juicing the grapefruit easy and keeps the seeds out.
Nutrition
Anjali
This was such a fun mocktail to make at home! I actually served it to my kids as a “fancy drink” and they loved it!
I love that!!
Carrie Robinson
This cocktail sounds so delicious! And I am loving the color of it. 🙂
So bright and fresh!
Sue
PERFECT timing, I’m trying to give up my nightly glass of wine and I need inspiration!
You will love it!
Dionne
My friend made these the other day, and they were stunning! Can’t wait to make them myself now.
Yay! So glad you loved it!
Mahy
I need this cocktail so badly right now. It certainly looks like a cocktail boss LOL
Thank you!!
lynn
A fresh cocktail that makes me forget I’m not having a glass of wine! Delicious.
Thanks!!