Malibu Paloma Drink Recipe

Ingredients

50 ml Malibu Original

100 ml pink grapefruit soda

15 ml lime juice

Rim: salt

Garnish: grapefruit wedge

Ice cubes

1 part Malibu Original

2 parts pink grapefruit soda

1/4 parts lime juice

Rim: salt

Garnish: grapefruit wedge

Ice cubes

2 oz Malibu Original

4 oz pink grapefruit soda

1/2 oz lime juice

Rim: salt

Garnish: grapefruit wedge

Ice cubes

Instructions

Wet the rim of a highball glass and dip it in salt
Fill the glass with ice
Pour in the Malibu Original, lime juice, and pink grapefruit soda
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and enjoy!

Tools you’ll need

Jigger or Measuring Tool
You’ll need this to measure your ingredients, making sure your drink is perfectly balanced. If you don’t have a jigger, our pro tip is to use a 30 ml / 1 oz shot glass, or any measuring tool you have in your kitchen.

Glassware
The right glassware adds a touch of elegance to this drink. We suggest using a highball glass to showcase the drink’s vibrant color. You can also use any type of glass you have at home.

Small plate
This is for rimming the glass with salt. Simply pour a little salt on the plate, dip the top of your glass in water, or rub it with a lime wedge for a pro touch, and make a half circle in the salt.

Knife and Cutting Board
You’ll need this for slicing up your grapefruit wedge as garnish. As always, make sure the cutting board is dry to avoid any slipping and be careful when slicing.

How to make the perfect Malibu Paloma at home

Our top tips for creating the perfect Malibu Paloma

1. Make fresh juice

Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is a game-changer for this cocktail. It adds a natural sweetness and tang that bottled juice simply can’t match. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!

2. Chill Your Glass

A chilled glass keeps your drink ice-cold and stops the ice from melting too fast and diluting your drink. Just pop your glassware in the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving.

3. Experiment with garnishes

A wedge of grapefruit is the perfect garnish for this drink. But we also suggest adding a lime wedge into the mix or even a sprig of mint for an extra touch of sophistication and a burst of aroma.

4. Try different sodas

While traditional Palomas use grapefruit soda, we suggest experimenting with a splash of other flavored sodas like lime or lemon-lime for a unique twist.

Two pink malibu Palomas in a highball glass against a pink background

About the Malibu Paloma

The Malibu Paloma is a deliciously zesty cocktail that’s full of tropical flavors. Inspired by the traditional Mexican Paloma, this twist adds a splash of Malibu to create a pink drink that’s bursting with sunshine. This recipe combines the tanginess grapefruit and lime with the smooth, coconut-infused flavors of Malibu, and a bite of salt on the rim, leaving you with a taste that’s as unforgettable as your favorite beach memories. Perfect for any occasion, from a casual brunch to a festive celebration, this Pink Paloma drink is your new summer favorite.

Short history about the drink

The classic Paloma is a laid-back Mexican cocktail that likely popped up in the mid-1900s. Traditionally made with tequila, grapefruit soda, lime, and a little salt, the Paloma is often linked to Don Javier at La Capilla bar in Tequila, Jalisco. As the story goes, it wasn’t crafted as a fancy cocktail, it was just what people actually drank on a hot day. The Malibu Paloma, however, brings a tropical twist to this classic by swapping tequila with Malibu, adding a layer of coconutty goodness to the mix. This variation emerged as a popular choice around the world as a beach-inspired cocktail, perfect for sipping in the sun.

Fun Fact

The name Paloma means “dove” in Spanish. Some suggest this cocktail may be named after the popular Mexican folk song “La Paloma”, but that’s more of a romantic theory than proven fact.