Tijuana Street Paloma
A bright and bubbly Paloma inspired by street flavors, combining grapefruit soda and fresh lime for a lively Mexican refresher. This cocktails-inspired mexican ready in about 4 minutes pairs tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, grapefruit soda for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila blanco
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3 oz grapefruit soda
- 1/2 oz agave syrup
- for rimming kosher salt
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 grapefruit wedge
Instructions
- Step 1: Rub the rim of a highball glass with a grapefruit wedge and dip it into kosher salt to coat thoroughly.
- Step 2: Fill the glass with ice cubes to the top.
- Step 3: Pour 2 oz tequila blanco and 1 oz fresh lime juice over the ice.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 oz agave syrup and gently stir with a bar spoon for 10 seconds to combine.
- Step 5: Top with 3 oz grapefruit soda and stir once more gently to integrate.
- Step 6: Garnish by placing the grapefruit wedge on the rim and serve with a straw.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tijuana Street Paloma take to make?
Total time is about 4 minutes (4 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Tijuana Street Paloma?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tequila blanco from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tijuana Street Paloma?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Tijuana Street Paloma for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Tijuana Street Paloma?
Cocktails mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
