weeknight palomas with three simple ingredients, perfect for when you need a cocktail without any frills or fuss thanks to the beautiful grapefruit flavor of izze sparkling grapefruit! these weeknight palomas are perfect for whenever you’d like to have some girlfriends over on a whim for some laughs (+ chips & guac, of course). plus…cinco de mayo is right around the corner…#justsayin!
you know those weeks when it’s tuesday but it feels like it should be thursday & no matter how hard you try to #girlboss your way through the work day, you just feel like you’re getting your pretty little behind totally kicked?
well girl, i’ve got your back.
actually, tequila’s got your back.
but i’m helping tequila have your back because that’s what friends are for. #amiriteeee???
all joking aside, it’s no secret that i LOVE a good cocktail. usually i’m totally willing to put in the effort to make a homemade simple syrup, juice my own fresh citrus, or seek out a cool new liqueur to try. but sometimes a gal just needs a fast & easy (& stiff) cocktail.
& that’s where these beauties come in. my weeknight palomas are my go-to cure for any week that’s dragging on a little longer than it should be. 
they’re also perfect for when i’d like to have some girlfriends over on a whim for some laughs (+ chips & guac, of course). (plus…cinco de mayo is right around the corner…#justsayin!)
& the best part is these weeknight palomas only have three ingredients, making them absolutely impossible not to love: 2 shots of tequila, 1 lime, & half a bottle of izze sparkling grapefruit juice.
when it comes to tequila for these weeknight palomas, there’s no need for the fanciest añejo since it’s going to get mixed with soda & lime juice. my favorite basic tequila is from espolòn. i usually keep a bottle of their silver & their reposado on hand on our bar cart. it’s affordable, drinks easy, & the packaging is pretty (always a plus!).
the major shortcut is using izze sparkling grapefruit instead of making your own grapefruit simple syrup. & you’re not sacrificing flavor for convenience here since izze grapefruit has THE BEST grapefruit flavor. it’s tart (but not too tart), sweet (but has no added sugar), & is perfectly bubbly crisp. plus, it means you don’t have to futz around with trying to find a bottle of soda water…i can’t be the only one who always forgets to grab soda water at the liquor store, am i?
& seriously. you just can’t beat that color. so pretty!
to make weeknight palomas, you simply combine your tequila with the izze sparkling grapefruit over ice & add in the juice of one lime.
fresh is always best when it comes to citrus, so it’s never a bad idea to keep a couple of lemons & limes on hand in your fruit bowl. if they’re looking like they’re starting to turn, just juice them & freeze the juice in ice cube trays & you’ll always have fresh citrus juice on hand!
finally, if you’re feeling totally fancy you can rim your glasses with grapefruit salt. (hint…you’re going to want to.) making grapefruit salt simply requires some grapefruit zest & some kosher salt. it holds foreverrr, so i always keep a small jar in my pantry at all times & i like to sprinkle a little over the top of my paloma for extra flavor.
don’t like salt with your tequila? feel free to either leave it out or swap with sugar.
three ingredient weeknight palomas. could it get any easier than that?
check out the recipe for weeknight palomas below & tell me: what’s your go-to quick cocktail? have you ever had a paloma? let me know in the comments below…i’d LOVE to chat! xx
afraid you’ll miss a recipe or entertaining idea? be sure to follow along with plays well with butter on bloglovin. for daily foodie musings & tips, follow along with @playswellwithbutter on instagram & facebook! & for tons of pin-worthy ideas to be the hostess with the mostest, follow plays well with butter on pinterest!
Printweeknight palomas
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5
Description
weeknight palomas with three simple ingredients, perfect for when you need a cocktail without any frills or fuss thanks to the beautiful grapefruit flavor of izze sparkling grapefruit! these weeknight palomas are perfect for whenever you’d like to have some girlfriends over on a whim for some laughs (+ chips & guac, of course). plus…cinco de mayo is right around the corner…#justsayin!
Ingredients
- 2 oz your favorite tequila (I use Espolòn’s blanco, but any tequila will do!)
- 1 lime, juiced
- 6 oz Izze Sparkling Grapefruit (or any grapefruit soda)
Optional grapefruit salt (for rim)
- 1 T grapefruit zest
- 1 T kosher salt
Instructions
For the grapefruit salt
- Combine grapefruit zest & salt in a bowl & stir to combine. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
For a paloma
- Rim glass with grapefruit salt & fill with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, & grapefruit soda & stir to combine.
- Multiply as needed.
- Cheers!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
i got home from chipotle with an izze and found this 🙂 it came out so good!! i made one for everyone in my home with variations of izze and vodka/gin.
we appreciate you!
Stacey! It was meant to be, so glad you enjoyed!
Made these this evening for happy hour…..delicious! Easy, refreshing. Pink Himalayan salt rimmed glasses were a pretty touch. I’ll be serving these again!
oooh, the pink himalayan salt sounds like the perfect festive touch! so glad you enjoyed them, terry!
Yass! after I saw this I went and bought some Izze in grapefruit, it is so delicious! didn’t have any tequila though to add 🙁
glad you loved, georgie!! xx
You’re using my favorite tequila!! And Izze’s??? Sooooooo good. I love everything about this cocktail! Tequila and grapefruit are two of my favorite things…
SAMESIES, lindsay!!! i friggin love espolon tequila…it’s so affordable! if you love tequila & grapefruit, i hope you give these palomas a try…they’re so simple & most importantly, delicious!! thanks for dropping in!! xx
how did you know that palomas are my favorite cocktail?? and that I OBVS love tequila?! my favorite neighborhood restaurant (now gone… sad face) made a smokey paloma and actually smoked the glass, and served the drink over a vanilla bourbon ice cube. it was heavenly! but I love the use of Izze here – I haven’t had Izze in years and am SO making these.
mine toooooooo!! a smoky paloma with bourbon vanilla ice cubes sounds AHHHHmazing. i’m totally ripping that off…stay tuned 😉 xx
Omg I used to drink Izze Grapefruit ALL THE TIME. I need this immediately!
i think so too, sarah! 😉 thanks for dropping by! xx