This aperol paloma brings new flavors to the classic paloma cocktail! Alongside the typical ingredients like fresh grapefruit juice and boozy tequila is a splash of aperol that adds a citrusy, bitter taste. This aperol paloma is sure to be your new favorite refreshing summer cocktail!
With the summer season upon us, this fun twist on a paloma had to make an appearance! This aperol paloma is the perfect cocktail to make for summer happy hours or on a summer pool day.
It is boozy with tequila and aperol, however it is perfectly balanced with fresh grapefruit juice, lime juice, and sparkling water. The flavors are refreshing, citrusy, and just a touch bitter from the aperol! If you love aperol or tequila cocktails, you have to try this aperol paloma cocktail!
If you love aperol cocktail recipes, you must try my orange aperol spritz, strawberry aperol spritz, or pomegranate aperol spritz.
Jump to:
ingredients 🧾
Aperol: One of my favorite spirits ever... Aperol! Aperol is the star of this aperol paloma recipe. You will need 1 ½ ounce. You can get a bottle of aperol at most grocery stores or any liquor store. It can usually be found in the liqueur section next to the campari.
Tequila: Like most paloma recipes, you must have tequila! I recommend using a blanco tequila for this aperol paloma for a very clean, agave forward flavor. However you can also use repasado or gold tequila.
Citrus: You will need one large lime (or two small limes) and one grapefruit for this cocktail. The zests of the citrus will be added to the salt for the rim. The fresh juices will be used in the paloma.
Sparkling water: Sparkling water will be used to top off this cocktails. It brings all the flavors together and also adds just a touch of carbonation.
Salt: Use your favorite margarita salt for the rim of the paloma. I like a chunky salt but you can also use a finer salt like pink himalayan salt.
Find the full ingredient measurements and instructions in the recipe card below!
variations & substitutions 📖
Switch up the flavor or sparkling water! To really bring all the flavors of this aperol paloma together, try using a different flavored sparkling water. Some of my favorites to use are tangerine, grapefruit, or key lime. However any citrus flavor sparkling water is a good choice. You can even use a grapefruit soda like Squirt to add more sweetness and grapefruit flavor to the cocktail.
Try mezcal instead of regular tequila. Mezcal adds a smoky flavor profile to the bitter cocktail. Just substitute the 1 ½ oz of tequila with 1 ½ oz mezcal.
Opt for a spicy cocktail variation! Instead of a salty rim, try rimming the glass with tajin seasoning. You can add a tablespoon of tajin into the citrus zest and salt or just rim the glass in straight tajin seasoning. Additionally, add ½ an ounce of jalapeno simple syrup to the cocktail to make it extra spicy. Simply simmer ½ cup of white granulated sugar, ½ cup of water, and fresh jalapeno slices on the stovetop for 5 minutes. Let steep for 10 minutes, strain out the jalapeno, and then cool.
To make this aperol paloma a mocktail, use non-alcoholic alternatives. My favorite non-alcoholic alternative for aperol and tequila is the brand, Ritual zero proof.
This aperol paloma recipe only calls for 1 ½ ounce of aperol so keep the remaining alcohol at your home bar for more aperol cocktail recipes, like my aperol martini, aperol margarita, and aperol soda! Aperol is such a great versatile liqueuer and is used in so many cocktail recipes.
tips & tricks 👩🏻🍳
Be sure to use a high quality tequila. The tequila you use definitely affects the quality of your paloma. Casaamigos, Patron, or 818 are my favorite high quality tequilas.
Use fresh citrus juices for the lime and grapefruit juice. Bottled citrus juices have preservatives that can taste funky when added to a cocktail. Just purchase the grapefruit and lime whole and juice it yourself.
Drink this aperol paloma out of a fun cocktail glass. I don't make the rules but every delicious cocktail belongs in an adorable cocktail glass. My favorite cocktail glass to use for a paloma is a colorful rimmed rocks glass. Or for an authetic look, try these one-of-a-kind clay cocktail glasses.
step by step instructions 🔪
Step #1 - Mix the zest and salt. In a shallow plate or bowl, using your fingers mix the salt with the lime and grapefruit zest. If using another ingredient to rim your glass like sugar or tajin, mix that with the zest instead.
Step #2 - Rim the cocktail glass with lime juice. Using a cut lime wedge, gently rim your glass with fresh lime juice. This will act as a sticking substance to allow the salt to adhere to the rim of the glass. If you are a salt lover, feel free to get the side of the glass wet as well for extra licking while sipping.
Step #3 - Coat the rim in salt. Generously press the wet areas of the glass into the salt. Give a gentle shake if too much salt sticks.
Step #4 - Add all spirits and citrus juice to cocktail shaker. In a glass or stainless steel cocktail shaker, add the 1 ½ oz aperol, 2 oz tequila, ½ oz lime juice, and 1 ½ oz grapefruit juice.
Step #5 - Add ice and shake. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes. With both hands secured on the cocktail shaker, vigorously shake for about 20 seconds, until the cocktail shaker feels cold from the outside.
Step #6 - Fill your glass and enjoy! In your cocktail glass, add pebble ice, crushed ice, or a large sphere ice cube. Pour your shaken paloma over the ice. Add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a lime slice and grapefruit slice. Cheers!
serving suggestions 🍽️
Serve this delicious cocktail in a salted paloma glass with a lime wedge or grapefruit wheel on the rim.
Since this aperol paloma recipes gives all the summer vibes, pair it alongside some summery appetizers like hot honey lemon pepper wings, cast iron spinach artichoke dip, and soft pretzels with beer cheese.
faq’s ❓
A paloma is full of bright and bitter notes from the grapfruit and therefore pairs amazing with grilled meats or seafood. The smokey flavors bring out the citrus in the paloma. Definitely check out some grill recipes to make alongside this paloma recipe.
It depends on your personal taste! Margaritas are more citrus forward with triple sec and often have a sweet & sour mix in them. Whereas, palomas are more refreshing with the grapefruit juice being the star of the show.
Yes, typically a paloma is served over ice in a cocktail glass. Try using pebbled ice, crushed ice, or even a large sphere ice cube.
other cocktail recipes
It warms me up to see you make my recipes! Tag me on instagram @essenceeats so I can see your remakes. If you made this recipe, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. Also, please leave a star rating while you're there ☆
recipe 📋
Aperol Paloma
This aperol paloma brings new flavors to the classic paloma cocktail! Alongside the typical ingredients like fresh grapefruit juice and boozy tequila is a splash of aperol that adds a citrusy, bitter taste.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce Aperol
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 large lime (or two small limes, zest for rim & ½ ounce juice for cocktail)
- 1 grapefruit (zest for rim & 1 ½ ounces juice for cocktail)
- Sparkling water
- Margarita salt
Instructions
1. In a shallow plate or bowl, using your fingers mix the salt with the lime and grapefruit zest.
2. Using a cut lime wedge, gently rim your glass with fresh lime juice. This will act as a sticking substance to allow the salt to adhere to the rim of the glass.
3. Generously press the wet areas of the glass into the salt.
4. In a glass or stainless steel cocktail shaker, add the 1 oz aperol, 2 oz tequila, ½ oz lime juice, and 2 oz grapefruit juice.
5. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice cubes. With both hands secured on the cocktail shaker, vigorously shake for about 20 seconds, until the cocktail shaker feels cold from the outside.
6. In your cocktail glass, add pebble ice, crushed ice, or a large sphere ice cube. Pour your shaken paloma over the ice. Add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a lime slice and grapefruit slice. Cheers!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 546Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1010mgCarbohydrates: 66gFiber: 6gSugar: 47gProtein: 3g
All nutrition facts are estimations. Please see a physician for any health-related inquiries.
Leave a Reply