Paloma Mocktail with Non Alcoholic Tequila

Time: 2

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This super refreshing Paloma Mocktail is citrusy sweet, bubbly, and packed with vitamin C. It’s a balance of real grapefruit juice and lime juice with a splash of non alcoholic tequila.

Included are my personal reviews on 3 types of non alcoholic tequila, tips for a pretty presentation, and large batch (in a pitcher) serving for a crowd. If you don’t have the tequila, no problem! This tastes great without it too.

If you love grapefruit, try my Grapefruit Ginger Beer Mocktail. It’s spicy, bitter, sweet, and a winter take on a grapefruit mocktail.

A Paloma Mocktail with ice, salted rim, and garnished with lime and grapefruit. The drink is surrounded by it's ingredients and a long handled stirrer.

What is a Paloma?

The Paloma is a Mexican cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. It’s tart and sweet with floral notes from the grapefruit. Honestly, it’s one of the most refreshing drinks out there.

My recipe swaps the tequila for non alcoholic tequila and the grapefruit soda for freshly squeezed juice and club soda. I also add a little bit of agave syrup to really balance those sweet, bitter flavors. You’ll also love how it’s low in calories and has lots of vitamin C.

P.S. Palomas and margaritas are basically cousins, so you might want to try my classic Margarita Mocktail, this Spicy Margarita Mocktail, or even a Cranberry Margarita Mocktail.

Close up of a non alcoholic paloma and it's garnish. Another drink is in the background with more limes and grapefruits on the side.

Paloma Mocktail Ingredients

Here’s what you will need to make this paloma, including important notes and recommended substitutions.

Non Alcoholic Tequila: I use Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit, it’s my personal favorite. But keep reading because I review different zero proof tequila options so you can decide which is best for you. You can also omit this as well.
Grapefruit Juice: Feel free to use freshly squeezed (what I use) or bottled 100% grapefruit juice.
Lime Juice: Again, freshly squeezed or bottled 100% juice.
Agave Syrup: L ight agave adds a subtle sweetness and balance to the bitter flavors. Alternatives are simple syrup, maple syrup, or raw honey.
Club Soda: This balances the flavors while giving the paloma a light and bubbly fizz. You can use tonic water, mineral water, or any other complimenting flavor sparkling water in its place.
OPTIONAL Garnishes: Make yours like mine with a grapefruit slice, lime slice, and flaky salt on the rim of the glass. Also, I use these cocktail pins to hold my garnishes in place.

Ingredients. Non alcoholic tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice, light agave syrup, club soda, grapefruit slices and lime slices.

What Is The Best Non Alcoholic Tequila?

If you are new to zero proof tequila, have no fear! I have tested quite a few and narrowed it down to my favorite three brands. Keep in mind, all zero proof spirits are unique and some will taste better than others depending on your preferences. These are my honest recommendations and opinions, in no particular order.

1. Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit. It’s light and bright with citrus and agave notes. It has the peppery finish you get from alcohol, without being overwhelming on the tongue. It’s only 3 calories per serving, vegan, and allergen free.

2. Free Spirit’s Tequila. If you love mezcal, this one’s for you! It is on the smoky side with notes of agave, smoke, and dark oak. It does have vitamins B3 and B6 for energy, is naturally gluten free, and only 10 calories per serving.

3. Rital Zero Proof Tequila Alternative. This one is balance of the two above. It is citrusy and smokey with the peppery finish. It is 0 calories per serving, and the least expensive non alcoholic tequila I have found.

Not ready for zero proof tequila alternatives? No problem, just leave it out!

Two Paloma Mocktails with grapefruit and limes around them. There is also a plate of salt for the rim of the glass and a long handled stirrer.

How to Make a Paloma Mocktail

Before we get started and I show you how quick and easy this paloma is to make, you’ll want to grab a large handled citrus juicer and glassware of your choice. Palomas are typically served in highball glasses but you can serve it in any type of glasses.

1. POUR AND MIX. To your glass, add the non alcoholic tequila (optional), freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lime juice, and light agave syrup, give it a light stir. Add ice to the glass, top it off with club soda, and then garnish.

2. TASTE TEST AND ADJUST. Making mocktails at home means you can taste, adjust, and find a balance of flavors perfect for you. For a sweeter paloma, add more light agave syrup. If you want it tart, squeeze another half lime over the top. For a tequila forward paloma, add another splash of zero proof tequila.

Find the complete recipe instructions with measurements below.

Step 2. To a glass add non alcoholic tequila, lime juice, light agave syrup, and ice.

Tips for Presentation and Serving

Rim the glass for some flare. Before making your paloma, rub the glass with a lime wedge and immediately roll the rim in flaky salt or cane sugar. You can even rub zest into the salt or sugar so there’s lime zest on the rim too.

Make a pitcher of palomas for a crowd. Easily scale this recipe to as many servings as you would like. This mocktail is great for bridal showers, birthdays, baby showers, Cinco de Mayo, or whenever.

Spice is life! I love this recipe as written, but it is also great with a jalapeno kick. Add Jalapeno Simple Syrup in place of the agave or add a few slices of jalapeno to the grapefruit juice 15 minutes before making your paloma.

Step 1. Dipping the rim of a glass into lime juice and then salt.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Does non alcoholic tequila taste like real tequila?

With modern advances, a few zero proof spirit companies have been able to replicate the flavors so non alcoholic tequila tastes like alcoholic tequila. It is important to note that not all non alcoholic tequilas are created equal and some will taste better than others.

Where can I buy zero proof, non alcoholic tequila?

Because non alcoholic tequila is becoming increasingly popular, you can find it online and in local grocery stores. Check your local CVS, Target, and Meijers (if you have them). If all else fails, you can order many non alcoholic spirits through Amazon and through other online bottle shops.

More Citrusy Mocktail Recipes You Might Like

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Paloma Mocktail

This is the BEST non alcoholic Paloma Mocktail. It's refreshing, low in calories, a balance of grapefruit, lime, and tequila flavors.

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Prep Time 2

Total Time 2

Author Elizabeth Swoish

Course Beverage

Servings

Calories 47 kcal

EQUIPMENT

glassware - lowball, or your choice
spoon or stirrer - long handled
citrus juicer - large
cocktail pins - metal, for holding garnishes in place

INGREDIENTS

2 ounce non alcoholic tequila - I use Lyre's Agave Blanco Spirit (more recommendations below)*
2 ounces grapefruit juice - freshly squeezed, or 100% juice
½ ounce lime juice - freshly squeezed, or 100% juice
½ ounce light agave syrup - simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey
2 ounces club soda - tonic water, mineral water, or sparkling water of complimenting flavor
garnish - optional – grapefruit slice, lime slice, flaky sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Rub the rim of a lowball glass with a lime wedge and immediately dip it in a small plate of flaky sea salt.
Add non alcoholic tequila, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, lime juice, and light agave syrup. Stir together gently.
Add ice and top it off with tonic water.
Garnish with a grapefruit and lime slice. Serve!

RECIPE NOTES

Omit the Non Alcoholic Tequila if you do not have it or do not want to use it. I recommend adding a little more lime juice in it’s place.
This paloma tastes great with a jalapeno kick. Add Jalapeno Simple Syrup in place of the agave or add a few slices of jalapeno to the grapefruit juice 15 minutes before making your paloma.

NON ALCOHOLIC TEQUILA OPTIONS

Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit. A light and bright option with citrus, agave, and a peppery finish. It’s only 3 calories per serving, vegan, and allergen free.
Free Spirit’s Tequila. Smoky with notes of agave and dark oak. It has vitamins B3 and B6 for energy, is gluten free, and 10 calories per serving.
Rital Zero Proof Tequila Alternative. This one is balance of the two above. It is citrusy, smokey with a peppery finish. It is 0 calories and the least expensive.

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