Malibu Paloma
Add some fiesta to your plans with Malibu Paloma. This delicious twist on the classic cocktail brings the taste of summer in every sip. Bursting with the flavors of tangy grapefruit, lime, and smooth coconut from Malibu, this easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for lounging around on sunny days or fun nights out with friends.
Just don’t forget to rim your glass with salt for that extra zesty vibe.
Ingredients
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1 part Malibu Original2 oz Malibu Original50 ml Malibu Original
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2 parts pink grapefruit soda4 oz pink grapefruit soda100 ml pink grapefruit soda
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0.25 parts lime juice0.5 oz lime juice15 ml lime juice
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Rim: saltRim: saltRim: salt
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Garnish: grapefruit wedgeGarnish: grapefruit wedgeGarnish: grapefruit wedge
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Ice cubesIce cubesIce cubes
Instructions
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1
Wet the rim of a highball glass and dip it in salt
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2
Fill the glass with ice cubes
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3
Pour in the Malibu Original, lime juice, and pink grapefruit soda
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4
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge, and enjoy!
How to make the perfect Paloma at home
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.
Our top tips for creating the perfect Malibu Paloma
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!
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.
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.
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.
Explore more vibrant pink drinks
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.
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Your Malibu Paloma FAQs answered
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Making a Malibu Paloma is simple! We recommend starting by rimming your glass with salt for a savory touch. Then, combine the Malibu, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, and garnish with a grapefruit wedge. Our tip is to use fresh juices for the best flavor.
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Sure! While you can use bottled grapefruit juice, we suggest opting for fresh juice whenever possible. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice has a vibrant flavor that elevates the drink. If you do use bottled juice, look for one that is 100% natural with no added sugars or preservatives.
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We recommend serving this drink in a tall, highball glass. These glasses not only showcase the beautiful color of the cocktail but also provide lots of space for the soda water to add its fizz. Plus, they leave plenty of room for ice and garnishes. That said, any fun glass you have in your kitchen works just as well.
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Absolutely! To make a non-alcoholic version, simply replace the Malibu with coconut water or a coconut-flavored soda. We love how this version still captures the tropical essence of the original, making it a great alcohol-free option.
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Rimming your glass with salt is easy! We suggest running a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dipping it into a plate of coarse salt. Our tip is to use sea salt or even pink salt for a more fun rim.
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For a less sweet cocktail, we recommend adding a splash of more lime juice, this will help balance out taste. If you want a sweeter drink, our tip is adding a small amount of simple syrup to the mix.
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For sure! We suggest experimenting with different flavors like lime or lemon-lime soda. Our tip is to choose a flavor that enhances the existing ingredients without overpowering them.
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A grapefruit wedge is a classic garnish for this drink. We also love adding a sprig of mint or a twist of lime peel for extra flair. Our recommendation is to keep it simple and let the vibrant colors of the drink shine.
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Totally! To make a batch, we recommend multiplying the recipe by the number of servings you need and mixing everything in a large pitcher. Wait to add the soda water until just before serving to maintain its fizz.
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Use leftover grapefruit soda to make a fizzy punch or as a mixer for other cocktails. It’s a versatile ingredient that adds sparkle to any drink. Extra lime juice is perfect for adding a zesty kick to guacamole or using in homemade limeade for a delish treat. Whereas Malibu rum can be enjoyed on its own or used in other tropical cocktails like Piña Coladas or Malibu Mojitos for a taste of the tropics.
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