Give your tequila based cocktails a winter twist with this blood orange paloma. Just a few simple ingredients is all that’s needed for this citrusy drink. Sweet orange, zesty lime, and a bit of fizz make for a delightful sip, and the vibrant red pink color is perfect for Valentine’s Day!
The palomais a tequila based cocktail, where it is usually paired with lime juice and a grapefruit soda. Instead, I’m ditching the grapefruit for a winter citrus with an equally beautiful color: the blood orange!
You could definitely go the route of a blood orange soda, but I’m using a pairing of fresh juice along with sparkling water to add the fizziness to this drink. I’ll make sure to go over some more substitution options below!
With only 4 ingredients and a few minutes needed to throw it together, this cocktail is perfect for a quick sip that’s tart, bubbly, and refreshing. I enjoy it all winter while blood oranges are in season, but the color makes it a perfect Valentine’s Day cocktail option as well!
Ingredients List
2 ounces tequila (Blanco, silver, or reposado)
2 ounces fresh blood orange juice
½ ounce fresh lime juice
3 ounces blood orange sparkling water (or more, depending on size of glass)
Ice cubes
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
Honestly, you can use any type of tequila in this recipe. I’m using blanco, but choose your favorite! Hate tequila? Sub vodka instead!
You can also use a blood orange flavored syrup in place of the fresh blood orange juice, if the oranges are not in season. Alternatively, sub regular orange juice or grapefruit juice, though the color will not be the same
For a sweeter drink, add ½ ounce simple syrup or agave to the mix, or use blood orange soda instead of blood orange sparkling water, which is unsweetened
Optional rim: You can rim your glasses using a little blood orange juice and either sugar, salt, or a mix of both. Add some chili powder for more spice if desired
Spicy variation: Add a few fresh jalapeno slices to the glass for a spicy blood orange paloma
How to Make a Blood Orange Paloma
Fill a rocks or whiskey glass about half full with ice (I like crushed, but you can use any shape)
Add the tequila, blood orange juice, and lime juice, and stir to mix well
Top off with the blood orange sparkling water to the top
Garnish with a slice of blood orange or lime if desired, and enjoy
What to Serve With a Blood Orange Paloma
Chips and guacamole
Manchego cheese
Goat cheese
Popcorn
Mexican street corn
Fundido dip
Ceviche
Street tacos
Enchiladas
Fajitas
Nachos
Typically most spicy foods pair well with a paloma! Anything with citrus flavor in the marinades or sauce is an added bonus, to further highlight the notes in the cocktail.
A blood orange paloma is a refreshing cocktail made with tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, and something carbonated, such as sparkling water or soda.
The twist is the unique addition of blood orange instead of grapefruit soda, for a darker color and different flavor profile.
Can I Use Regular Oranges Instead of Blood Oranges?
While you can use regular oranges, the distinct flavor of blood oranges adds a special touch. Additionally, the cocktail’s color and taste may vary with different oranges.
However, oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits make for a fine alternative if preferred.
What Type of Tequila Works Best for a Paloma?
A good-quality silver or blanco tequila is commonly used for Palomas. Its smooth and crisp profile complements the citrusy and fizzy elements of the drink.
However, you can use other tequilas if you like for unique flavor profiles. Reposado, gold, and even Mezcal offer different combinations to try.
Is There a Non-Alcoholic Version of the Blood Orange Paloma?
Yes, you can create a non-alcoholic mocktail version by replacing the tequila with a non-alcoholic tequila alternative or omitting it altogether for a virgin Paloma.
Use a blood orange flavored ginger beer to add both flavor and fizz in place of the tequila, while the fresh blood orange juice and lime juice add additional flavors.
What Garnishes Enhance the Presentation of a Blood Orange Paloma?
Garnish your blood orange paloma with slices of blood orange or a sprig of fresh mint. It adds visual appeal and a hint of additional aroma.
Other options include a slice of lime, wedge of orange, or a twist of either lime or orange peel. A salt or sugar rim on your glass can add additional flavor to the drink as well.
Can I Prepare a Pitcher of Blood Orange Paloma for a Party?
Absolutely! Scale up the ingredients to the desired number of servings. Mix everything except the fizzy element in a pitcher and store in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
When ready to serve, add ice to glasses, fill halfway with chilled mixture, then top with your sparkling water or soda.
Recipe Pro Tips
This is not an overly sweet drink as written, as it’s much easier to add sweetness than remove it. If you want it sweeter, I prefer to add a little agave syrup here, as it compliments the tequila (but simple syrup works too). As different oranges can be more tart or sweet, you may need to adjust for your specific oranges and preferences
I’m using an 11-ounce rocks glass for this recipe, but any low style glass or tall, thin glass (like a Collins) works well too!
Storage and Serving Tips
You can mix everything except ice and sparkling water ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (scale for as many servings as you like). I don’t recommend longer than that due to the fresh fruit juices. Then, add ice to a glass, fill halfway with mixture, top with sparkling beverage of choice, and serve!
This vibrant blood orange paloma is such a fun winter twist on a classic cocktail. The bold citrus flavors pair perfectly with spicy cuisine, and it’s a great alternative if you’re not a fan of margaritas.
With just 4 ingredients and a few minutes to throw together, it’s such a simple option. That makes it perfect for entertaining too! Serve it up with those nachos and spicy dips for your Super Bowl Party, or enjoy the beautiful red pink hues for Valentine’s Day.
Like most cocktails, you can tweak the proportions to your liking to make it weaker or stronger, or add some agave to give it sweetness if your oranges are particularly tart! This blood orange tequila cocktail is easily customizable and the perfect way to chase away those winter blues.
Easy Blood Orange Paloma Recipe
This blood orange Paloma is the perfect winter spin on a citrus tequila cocktail. With vibrant red pink colored blood orange juice, it’s a great option for Valentine’s Day too!
Fill a rocks or whiskey glass about half full with ice (I like crushed, but you can use any shape)
Ice cubes
Add the tequila, blood orange juice, and lime juice, and stir to mix well
2 Ounces tequila, 2 Ounces fresh blood orange juice, ½ Ounce fresh lime juice
Top off with the blood orange sparkling water to the top
3 Ounces blood orange sparkling water
Garnish with a slice of blood orange or lime if desired, and enjoy
Notes
You can use any type of tequila in this recipe. I’m using Blanco, but choose your favorite! Hate tequila? Sub vodka instead!
You can also use a blood orange flavored syrup or drink mix in place of the fresh blood orange juice, if the oranges are not in season
This drink is not super sweet as written. For a sweeter drink, add ½ ounce simple syrup or agave to the mix, or use blood orange soda instead of blood orange sparkling water, which is unsweetened
Optional rim: You can rim your glasses using a little blood orange juice and either sugar, salt, or a mix of both. Add some chili powder for more spice if desired
Spicy variation: Add a few fresh jalapeno slices to the glass for a spicy blood orange paloma
I’m using an 11-ounce rocks glass for this recipe, but any low style glass or tall, thin glass (like a Collins) works well too!
You can mix everything except ice and sparkling water ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours (scale for as many servings as you like). When ready to serve, add ice to a glass, fill halfway with mixture, and top with sparkling beverage of choice
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sweetener or garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
