Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I started making this cocktail when I wanted something lighter and more refreshing than the usual heavy holiday drinks. The classic Paloma is already one of my favorites, and adding cranberry and orange gives it a gorgeous color and a tart, juicy depth that suits the season. The salted rim plays beautifully against the citrus, the grapefruit soda keeps it fizzy and bright, and the whole thing takes about five minutes to shake up. It’s easy to scale into a pitcher, it looks stunning with a few floating cranberries and a rosemary sprig, and it’s the kind of drink guests ask you to make again.

Ingredients

For the cocktail (makes 1)

2 oz blanco tequila
1 1/2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice (or cranberry juice cocktail for a sweeter drink)
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
1/2 oz fresh orange juice
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (or agave), adjusted to taste
2 to 3 oz grapefruit soda or sparkling water, to top
Ice

For the rim and garnish

1 lime wedge
1 tablespoon coarse salt (mixed with 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, optional)
Fresh cranberries
Orange wheel or grapefruit wedge
Rosemary sprig

For a quick cranberry simple syrup (optional)

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water

Directions

Make the syrup (optional). Combine the cranberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes until the berries burst, then strain and cool. Use in place of plain simple syrup for extra color and flavor.
Prep the glass. Mix the salt and orange zest on a small plate. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass, then dip the rim into the salt mixture.
Fill with ice. Add ice to the glass, all the way to the top.
Shake. Combine the tequila, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, until well chilled.
Strain. Strain the mixture over the ice in the prepared glass.
Top. Pour the grapefruit soda over the top and give it one gentle stir.
Garnish. Add a few cranberries, an orange wheel, and a sprig of rosemary. Serve immediately.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 1 cocktail (see pitcher version below to serve a crowd)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: None (10 minutes if making the cranberry syrup)
Total time: About 5 minutes

Pitcher version (serves 8): Combine 2 cups tequila, 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice, 1 cup grapefruit juice, 1/2 cup each orange juice, lime juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Chill for up to 4 hours. Pour over ice and top each glass with soda just before serving.

Variations

Mezcal: Swap half the tequila for mezcal for a smoky edge.
Sparkling: Top with prosecco or cava instead of soda for a celebratory version.
Spicy: Muddle a slice of jalapeño in the shaker, or rim the glass with chili-lime salt.
Mocktail: Skip the tequila and use 3 oz sparkling water, plus an extra splash of grapefruit juice.
Frozen: Blend all ingredients except the soda with 2 cups of ice and pour into glasses.
Spiced: Add a dash of orange bitters or a cinnamon stick to the glass.
Sugar-free: Replace the simple syrup with a splash of sugar-free sweetener and use unsweetened juices.

Storage and Reheating

Cocktail: Best served immediately, since the ice dilutes it and the soda goes flat.
Pitcher mix: Combine everything except the soda and ice, and refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 day.
Cranberry syrup: Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Garnishes: Prep the cranberries, orange wheels, and rosemary a few hours ahead and keep them chilled.
Reheating: Not applicable. This is served cold.

FAQs

Can I use bottled grapefruit juice?
You can, but fresh juice tastes brighter and less bitter. If using bottled, choose 100% juice and skip the extra sweetener at first.

What kind of tequila works best?
A good blanco tequila made with 100% agave is ideal, since it has a clean, peppery flavor that lets the citrus shine. Reposado adds a gentle oaky warmth.

Can I make it without grapefruit soda?
Yes. Use sparkling water, club soda, or a splash of soda water with a little extra grapefruit juice.

Is it too tart?
Adjust the simple syrup to taste. Unsweetened cranberry juice is quite tart, so you may want a bit more sweetener.

How do I keep the salt rim neat?
Rim only the outer edge of the glass, so salt doesn’t fall into the drink. Dry the lime juice off the glass first if it’s too wet.

Can I make it ahead for a party?
Mix the juices and tequila up to 4 hours ahead and chill. Add the soda and ice right before serving so it stays fizzy.

How much alcohol is in it?
Each cocktail has 2 ounces of tequila, about one and a half standard drinks. Pour responsibly, and offer the mocktail version for guests who aren’t drinking.

Conclusion

This cranberry-orange Paloma is my favorite way to bring a little sparkle to the holiday season. It’s tart, citrusy, and refreshing, with a beautiful ruby glow that looks as good as it tastes. I hope it becomes your go-to party drink too. If you make it, I’d love to hear how you garnished yours!

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This Cranberry-Orange Paloma is a festive twist on the classic tequila cocktail, with tart cranberry juice, fresh orange and grapefruit, and a sparkling splash of soda. A salted rim and a sugared cranberry garnish make it as pretty as it is refreshing. It’s an easy, crowd-friendly drink for holiday parties and cozy get-togethers.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cocktail
Category: Drinks
Method: Shaking
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Instructions

Rim the glass: Run a lime wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip it in coarse salt or Tajín.
Fill with ice: Fill the glass with ice.
Shake: Add the tequila, cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, orange juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 15 seconds until well chilled.
Strain: Strain the mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
Top: Top with grapefruit soda or sparkling water and give it a gentle stir.
Garnish: Garnish with fresh cranberries, an orange slice, and a rosemary sprig.
Serve: Serve immediately.

Notes

Use 100% unsweetened cranberry juice for a bright, tart flavor. Cranberry juice cocktail will make the drink sweeter, so reduce the simple syrup.
Fresh-squeezed citrus juice makes a big difference compared to bottled.
Batch for a party: combine 1 1/2 cups tequila, 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice, 3/4 cup each grapefruit and orange juice, and 6 tablespoons lime juice in a pitcher. Chill up to 4 hours and top each glass with soda.
For a mocktail, replace the tequila and orange liqueur with extra sparkling water and a splash of orange juice.
To make sugared cranberries, toss fresh cranberries in simple syrup, then roll in granulated sugar and let dry for 1 hour.
Please drink responsibly.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 235
Sugar: 20 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Fiber: 0 g
Protein: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg